The sound of her heels clip-clops against the pavement as Elena marches down the sidewalk. She doesn't stop until she reaches the police station.

"Mrs. Gilbert, can I help you?" Gia asks, her eyes rising to meet Elena's.

"I wanted to speak with Elijah."

"He's out on a call... Is there anything I can help you with?"

Elena fights a rising panic. Serrated breaths move in and out of her mouth at gasping intervals.

Noticing her distressed state, Gia approaches her and urges her to sit down. After getting a bottle of water, she sits down on the edge of the desk in front of the brunette.

"What has you so worked up?" Gia asks, her eyes locking on Elena's.

"I was at the cemetery. My husband was killed fighting in WW2...Missing, presumed dead is what they told me. His name isn't on the memorial. I don't understand that."

"Maybe he was never confirmed as dead? Maybe it was an oversight when the town erected it? I don't have an answer for you."

"I'll talk to Elijah when he gets home later. Thank you for your time, Gia," Elena stands to leave when Gia reaches out her arm and stops her.

"Look, Elijah believes every word you say based on this," Gia releases her grip on Elena. She reaches into Elijah's desk, pulls out the Parker pen, and hands it to Elena.

"Where did you get this?" Elena looks at her confused.

"He said it was in your purse and that it's genuine."

"Of course it is. It was a gift from my parents for my capping ceremony in nursing school," Elena explains as she runs her fingertip over the smooth, convex surface.

"This is probably none of my business but I'm going to say this anyway. I don't want to see Elijah get hurt. You'll have me to answer to if you do. I'm not as trusting as he is. For all, I know you have pulled this charade in other small towns too."

"Oh, Gia!" Elena shakes her head. "You have nothing to fear from me. Let me tell you something; I met my husband when we were kids. Love is about who you want to spend time with. It's easy to want all the romantic stuff and we all do but love is more than that. Love is respecting someone for who he or she is all the while knowing there will be wonderful and not-so-wonderful stuff and still wanting that person regardless..." Elena pauses to let her words sink in.

"I have loved Damon my whole life. Even in death, my heart will always belong to him. If you love Elijah, and I think you do, talk to him," Elena suggests. "From my perspective, I think he feels the same way; he just may not realize it yet. Don't alienate him with unfounded suspicions."

"Why do you say that?" Gia crosses her arms over her chest.

"I have eyes don't I? I've seen the way he looks at you when you're not aware of it...I'm going to go now. I hope you consider what I said."

Silence hangs between the two women for several seconds before Elena gives her a nod and leaves the police station.

"They still have bonfire night?" Elena exclaims as she approaches the celebration along with the Mikaelson family.

"Yes, this is one tradition we've kept here in Mystic Falls," Evelyn explains.

"Mommy, can I go by Mary?" Ellie squeals, tugging on Rebekah's sleeve.

"Yes, but you need to stay back from the fire," Rebekah cautions.

"I promise," Ellie yells as she runs to her friends.

Excited children hop around the raging crackling bonfire as they magically create mystical images with glowing sparklers. Elena feels good this evening, this is something she knows...

Elena links her fingers with Damon as they approach the roaring flames. "I love the bonfire," she remarks as she looks up at Damon.

"Me too!" Damon agrees, kissing her forehead.

As they move closer to the flames, the heat turns their faces red like fresh juicy cherries. The bright yellow and orange flickering blaze is mesmerizing as the inferno roars like a dragon as it spits and splutters singed wood and charcoal. Smoke fills the air. It tastes bitter, and snakes and slithers into the air above them.

Hand in hand, Elena and Damon saunter down to the edge of the icy water, near the Mystic Falls. He stares at her and before she can ask what it is, his hands are on either side of her face, and then his lips are on hers. It's not tentative or tender or shy in any way. His fingers tunnel through her hair. His tongue stabs deep into the recesses of her mouth. His breath is hot on her face as he shifts the angle slightly and intensifies the kiss.

Elena jumps back when loud whistles, applause come from behind them...

"Elena?" Elijah calls out and pulls her from her memories. "You okay?" he asks.

"I'm fine. I was just lost in my thoughts," She explains, forcing a smile.

"Gia said you stopped at the station?"

"I did."

"Is there anything I can help you with?" He starts to ask when Gia approaches them from the side.

"There you are?" Elijah takes off his scarf and wraps it around her when he notices Gia shivering.

"Thanks." Gia smiles at him. "Enjoying the bonfire?" she asks, shooting a look at Elena.

"Very much. Damon and I came every year. I'll let you two alone." Elena starts to walk away when Elijah stops her.

"What was it that you wanted?" he asks.

"I was at the cemetery, I wanted to see Damon. He's not there and neither am I for that matter..." Elena divulges, sucking in a breath...

"I can try to do a little digging tomorrow..."

"You know what. No, I have taken you away from your job too much already. I'm going to go to the library in the morning to see what I can find," Elena tells him.

"Are you sure?" Elijah shares a glance with Gia before locking eyes with Elena.

"I'm very sure. Goodnight to both of you!" Elena nods and walks away...

The next morning after having breakfast, she rides to town with Elijah who drops her off at the library.

"Thank you."

"You know where to find me if you need a lift," Elijah tells her as she's getting out of the car.

"Don't worry about me. Have a good day!" Elena waves when he drives off.

Stepping inside the building, she takes a step back at the grandeur of it. Daylight does not illuminate the room. Instead, hanging lights above her light the two-tiered hall- almost like a cake mold. The room is filled with murmurs and whispers. They are indistinct conversations between people who are unable to comprehend the word silence although even when she was a child, the library has never been truly silent.

Elena approaches the information desk. "Excuse me, miss?" she says softly.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, um...I was wondering if you had any books about Mystic Falls. A compendium if you will-for the World War 2 years?"

"Yes, we have several decade books about our city. They're in the local history area. Section E-4, that way." the woman points her in the right direction.

"Thank you." Elena smiles. When she reaches the area, she starts scanning the shelves till she finds the volume she wants. Mystic Falls circa 1040-1049. Pulling it down, she takes it over to a table, sits down, and starts to flip through the pages.

There are photographs of citizens that bring back memories of those times, city celebrations, the Independence Day parades, and holidays. In others are wisps of sadness, the hints of the hard times that were to come, the aftermath of storms, and other tragedies that are a part of life. She finds a picture of her Uncle John smiling widely. She touches his face wispily with her fingertip. He had joined the Navy before Pearl Harbor and died at the Battle of Midway in June of 1942.

Another is a picture of herself and Damon at a street dance. The finest detail is his face, creased with love and her joy- not only for that night but for being with him, for being with her Damon. The photo is a time machine. One glance and he's back in his teen years with his life stretched before him, all the decisions that lay ahead are unmapped, anything was possible. Feeling herself beginning to tear up, Elena pulls a tissue out of her handbag and dabs her eyes.

As she continues to look through the pages, Elena finds photos of a parade welcoming the new year. The gathering also honored the local soldiers that returned from the War. She smiles recognizing Tyler and Mason Lockwood among others. Feeling rather despondent, she's about to give up when something catches her eye...

There on the page in black and white is a photo that is both the rose blossoming park and the aged oak bench in her soul. It's one of herself and Caroline waving to the crowd from a hospital window. And seeing herself in the photo means that somehow, someway she's going to get home. Slapping the book closed, she returns it to the shelf and leaves the library.

Once outside she gazes upward watching the birds making playful swoops in an oceanic blue sky. Smiling at the sight, she breathes in the cold crisp air with a renewed sense of vigor and strolls down the sidewalk to get herself a cup of coffee.

It's late afternoon by the time Elena gets back to the farm. She brushes the dusting of snow off her shoulders just before entering the house.

"Hello Elena," Evelyn greets her looking up from cupcakes she's decorating.

"Cupcakes. Yum!" she remarks as she hangs her coat on the hook. "Can I have one?"

"Of course," Evelyn hands her one as she considers Elena. "You look like you've had a good day."

"I did, a really good day. I went to the library...I found a picture of me."

"Really?"

"Yes, it's the New Year's Parade in 1946. And that means that I get to go home," Elena gushes and bites into the cupcake.

"New Year's parade?" Evelyn pours them each a cup of coffee.

"I suppose that's another lost tradition." Elena sighs and takes a drink.

"Yes, sadly it is. I hope the photo means what you think it means Elena."

"I don't know what else it could mean. It has to be soon. New Year's isn't far away."

"Grandma," comes Ellie's voice just before she bursts into the kitchen.

"What is it?" Evelyn turns to look at her.

"Can we watch the meteor shower tonight?"

"Meteor shower?" Elena interrupts.

"Yep," Ellie bobs her head. "And you know what?"

"What?" Elena asks, giving the little girl her full attention.

"You came here when the moon eclipsed; maybe you'll get to go home with the meteors?" Ellie remarks and bites into a cupcake.

"I suppose anything's possible." Elena empties her coffee cup and sets it in the sink. "I'm a little tired. Will you come to get me when it's time to see the meteors?"

"Ah-ha!" Ellie nods her head as she takes a swallow of milk.

Elena smiles at the young girl as she leaves the kitchen.

Later that evening, everyone is bundled up in their warm clothes. Evelyn fills several thermos bottles with hot chocolate and they all pile into cars to drive into the hills that neighbor Mystic Falls. When they arrive, Elijah pulls some sleeping bags out of the pickup to wrap up in. Once everyone is settled, they stare up at the sky.

"There!" Ellie screams, pointing as one, then two, and more streak across the star-filled sky.

Stars light the sky like snowflakes in the night. Elena smiles, feeling the wind blow her hair into a tousled mane. She draws her collar closer to keep out the chill. She gazes skyward as the meteors flare on after the next. She looks around, smiling when she sees Gia sitting between Elijah's legs with his arms wrapped around her to keep her warm.

"There's another one!" Ellie points them out each time one falls from the heavens.

Elena's enjoying the evening despite the cold. She takes another swallow of hot chocolate as she cradles the mug in her hands.

"Elena?" Elijah stoops beside her.

"Oh Elijah, this is just wonderful," Elena exclaims when another streak of light blurs across the darkness.

"It is...Um, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure." She looks at him curiously.

"Mom told me you saw your picture and that you believe it means you'll be leaving?"

"I do. I don't belong here, Elijah. This isn't my time."

"You're welcome to stay," he offers.

"I know and you've been wonderful to me. I can never thank you enough for the kindness you and your entire family have shown a stranger. I may be going away, but please know that you will always be in my heart! Saying goodbye is always so difficult. I remember saying goodbye to Damon when he left to join the war effort. I kissed him like it was the last time and it was. But, I can't dwell on that. I treasure every moment I spent with him and I'll treasure my time here. I don't know why but somehow I know we will meet again. There's no doubt in my mind."

"I'd like that." Elijah smiles and kisses her cheek. With a nod, he returns to Gia. She watches as he wraps her in his arms and kisses her.

After another half hour passes, and everyone is cold and tired, they return to the farm. Elena helps Evelyn clean up the dishes and put them away. She glances at the clock again, noticing the time. "Goodnight, Evelyn. Thank you for tonight and your kindness. I wouldn't have survived here without it."

"Goodnight, Elena," Evelyn says softly and smiles when Elena pulls her into her arms for a hug.

Elena closes her eyes and breathes her in...After several seconds pass, she lets her go and walks to her room.

Very quietly Elijah steps into the house the next morning after spending the night with Gia. He smiles a the thought. He starts a pot of coffee before walking softly up the stairs. As he passes Elena's room, he stops... Backing up, he raps on her door softly and when there's no response, he carefully turns the knob. The door creaks slightly as he pokes his head through. The bed is made, the room looks pristine...

Elena's gone...

Elena's eyes snap open, she is covered in a cold sweat. She's shivering and her heart is practically pounding out of her chest as she takes in her surroundings. Cautiously, she rubs her eyes and tries to fully awaken. The sun shines bright through the window, washing away the last vestiges of sleep.

Noticing her handbag on the ground, Elena picks it up, leaves the shed, and takes a moment to look around. The trees are all hunched together making their arthritic limbs hurt even more and the cold, freezing snow covered the branches.

Everything is covered in white; sidewalks, electrical wires, trees, hedges. She blows out a frosty puff of air when she notices her 1943 Plymouth. The wheels are almost halfway deep in the snow. Elena ponders what to do. She checks the trunk but there's no shovel...as she considers her options, she notices a piece of branch. "It's worth a try," she mumbles to herself and starts to push the snow around in a futile attempt to free her car.

"It looks like you could use some help," comes a voice from behind her.

Damon sees the shock register on her face before she can hide it. It takes a second or two for it to sink in, even though he's right before her eyes, larger than life.

Elena feels her lips stretch wider into a gaping grin and her eyebrows arch for the sky. He made it. He's here. And in the seconds that follow she can feel him squeezing his arms around her and her own reciprocating.

Damon's hug is stronger than anything Elena's ever known as if holding her isn't quite enough. "Are you real?" Elena blurts out as tears fill her eyes.

"I'm real!" Damon takes her hand and lays her palm over his heart.

Elena gasps at the feel of it. "How are you here?" she asks, as tears continue to trail down her cheeks.

"I was injured in the Philipines. I was stuck in a small hospital not knowing who I was or where I belonged. It's a miracle, Elena!" Damon stares into her eyes. "God, I've missed you," he traces the line of her cheekbone and covers her mouth with his.

And in his kiss Elena is home.

After stopping at their home to change clothes, Damon and Elena go for a walk around Mystic Falls so he can reacquaint himself after being gone for 4 long years.

When they get to the park, they step into the gazebo. Damon takes her into his arms and together they dance slowly, their moment interrupted by a familiar-sounding voice.

"As I live and breathe, Damon Salvatore is that you?" Enzo St. John rushes over to join them.

"Enzo! It's good to see you," Damon embraces his friend in a hug.

"I thought you were dead. We all thought you were dead."

"I know...so many did..." Damon's voice trails off.

"It's a real miracle, Enzo," Elena remarks and links her fingers with Damon's.

"And for that I'm grateful!" Enzo nods his head. "Listen, I'd like to get together with you before I head back to Florida. I could use a good man like you."

"Are you offering me a job?" Damon asks, sharing a glance with Elena.

"I am," Enzo confirms.

"Of course, I'm interested. Let me know when we can discuss it."

"I'll give you a call." Enzo shakes Damon's hand. "Merry Christmas," he calls over his shoulder as he walks away.

"Do you want to move to Florida?" she asks, locking eyes with her husband.

"It depends on his offer but I'm certainly not against it."

"I'll go where you go, Damon Salvatore," Elena affirms and presses her lips to his...

After a half-hour of hiking up the mountain, they finally reach the halfway point. Elena glances over at Damon to see that his face is glistening under the rays of the sun. They walk a little closer to a cliff, which is like a rocky natural balcony. As they edge closer and closer to the ledge, Damon reaches out his arm to stop her.

They're standing above the Falls of the Mystic River. The moisture in the air gives her goosebumps and the breeze makes the hairs on her arms stand up straight like little disciplined soldiers.

The water slides down smoothly as it falls. Its sleek sapphire descent is simply staggering to observe. The onslaught of water is like a cascade of never-ending rain.

"I almost forgot how beautiful it is out here," Damon remarks as he peers down from their perch.

The trees shiver in the bitter wind, their naked branches adorned with snow. Clusters of twigs, gnarled and twisted, extend like the hands of old man winter, preparing to catch soft falling flakes.

"It's breathtaking," Elena concurs. "Are you ready to go home? I could use some a hot bath! Brrrrr!" she sputters through chattering teeth.

"It's getting colder, looks like we're going to get some more snow," Damon observes, as dove grey clouds begin to shroud the cobalt color soaking the sky. He winks at Elena and embraces her.

She can feel the strength in his arms as he wraps them around her, to trap her in his neverending warmth. As he embraces her, Elena can feel the life in him, the blood pumping in his veins, and the warm breath coming from his mouth.

"Let's go home," Damon says softly. He presses a quick kiss to her lips before they begin their trek down the mountain.

Together they walk hand in hand to their bedroom. Even though it's been years, there is no rush. Damon sits down on the bed and pulls Elena forward to stand between his legs. Damon brings one of her hands to his mouth and kisses each one of her fingertips.

"I missed this. I don't have the words to tell you how much I love you, Elena."

"I feel the same." Elena bends forward and places wispy kisses on each side of his mouth and the tip of his nose. She feels his hand curl around the back of her neck as he pulls her just close enough to brush his lips against hers. Immediately little shimmers of pleasure shoot through her.

Damon pulls her down to straddle his lap. She wraps her arms around him and buries her face in his neck, knowing that he can feel the hot slide of her tears against his skin. He strokes his palms up on down her back for a moment before lowering her zipper and peeling the clothes from her body.

Elena's nipples harden in the cool air and she shivers. It quickly turns into a steady tremble when Damon's mouth latches onto one of them. Elena feels every tug resonate through her body. She digs her fingers into his hair and arches even deeper into his mouth. Damon groans against her skin as she squirms in his lap.

Falling back and then rolling over, Damon pins Elena beneath him.

Elena smiles up at him and then she leans up on her elbows so that she can capture his lips into a slow, deep kiss that melts her bones. Clothes melt away and they savor how good skin against skin feels again after being apart for so long. They explore each other thoroughly; there isn't a curve or a hollow that goes untouched. The spark between them grows steadily, burning hotter and higher with every whispered groan and strangled plea for more.

"Damon, please," Elena gasps.

Damon guides his tip to her entrance and presses in. Elena cries out as she's overcome with pleasure. She lifts her hips, trying to draw him further into her body but Damon withdraws.

Elena bites her lip in frustration and Damon smiles. He pushes forward again and by the time he's buried to the hilt, Elena is completely wild beneath him. Locking their fingers together, Damon sets a sinfully controlled pace; each stroke is swift and deep. Over and over he fills her body and her heart; there isn't a single part of her that's separate from him.

Their climax swells higher and higher until it comes crashing down around them in a brilliant shower of fire and light.

Drained but replete, they remain in each other's arms even as fatigue pulls them into a deep slumber...

Elena's up early and making coffee when Damon ambles into the kitchen with his hand over his mouth to cover a yawn. "Something wrong? You're staring!" Damon remarks before kissing her on the cheek.

"I still can't believe you're here."

"In the flesh," he remarks with a waggle of his brows.

"I called the hospital. Luckily the census is down so I have the day off..." her voice trails when she hears a crashing sound. "What the?" she runs out of the kitchen into the dining room with Damon following behind.

"Sassy!" Elena scolds her cat as she stoops down to pick up their clock. "Thank goodness it didn't break," she says and hands it to Damon before standing up.

"It's cracked. See!" Damon points to the new E-shaped crack.

"I was told that happened when my grandma's cat knocked it on the floor. Amazingly, it didn't shatter to pieces."

Elena's mouth drops as she stares at the clock in Damon's hands.

"You look like you've seen a ghost!" Damon waves his hand in front of Elena's face.

"Not a ghost...the future," she replies cryptically.

"Say again?"

"Do I have a story to tell you!" Elena watches as Damon returns the clock to the shelf.

"You know we should have something engraved on our clock. If we have children someday, we can pass it on," Damon suggests as he positions it just right, the perfectionist that he is.

"That's a wonderful idea," Elena agrees. "It should say 'Love Endures All Things.'"

"That's perfect...you mentioned you had a story to tell me?" Damon links his arm with hers and leads her back to the kitchen.

Once she has breakfast ready, she slides a plate in front of Damon and fills his coffee cup before sitting down herself.

"Tell me your story," he coaxes as he takes a bite of his eggs in a basket.

Elena sets her coffee mug down, takes Damon's left hand, and cradles it with her own. "It's a Christmas miracle and it all started on the night of the last lunar eclipse..."

Massive thanks to all for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting.

My thoughts were that Elena got to the future on an eclipse. There was a total lunar eclipse on 12/19/1945. And returned to her time on the meteor shower. The final one of 2021- The Ursids- can be seen in the Northern Hemisphere between Dec. 17-26 and usually peaks around the December solstice, according to Earth Sky.

Today is the anniversary of my mom's death from a traumatic brain injury after a fall. The distance of time helps but it never quite goes away. Someone told me at her funeral- no matter how old you are, you always need your mom. It's true, for me. I always get melancholy at Christmas time and the tears still fall but writing happy, holiday DE is a little bit of an escape for me.

I didn't want to include the covid scourge. As an RN, I've been on the front line and in the trenches. I didn't want it in my entertainment too with the exception of my friend jmfangs' Quarantine Olympics.

Huge thank you to Eva. You're amazing.

The story Elena was reading to Oliver is a snippet from 'Johnny Tremain' first published in 1943 by Esther Forbes. She also helped write the screenplay for Disney's theatrical version of her book. It was released in theatres in June of 1957.

"Caught Up In You: Sometimes, everything you're looking for ends up being right where you left it." It's a little something I'm playing around with. I don't have a clue when it'll be ready to post.

After this crazy long author note. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and those of you who don't celebrate, just be happy.

Bye for now...