Two years later...
Damon's standing in the back of the bookstore watching Elena give a talk about her best-selling novel, A Rage to Kill. He couldn't be prouder of her, and when she looks up and meets his stare, the corners of his mouth curl into a beaming smile, one he saves only for her. Caroline and Rebekah are seated in the front row to give Elena moral support.
"The murders abruptly stopped. The police suspect that the killer moved on or possibly even died. Eventually, the citizenry of Las Vegas fell back into their normal state of complacency.
"The lead detective on the case, Elijah Mikaelson, submitted the photograph to the FBI after an anonymous tipster gave them the first name Silas. Whether that is his real name, no one knows for sure. At this time, he's still listed as John Doe with the name Silas being an alias. He continues to maintain a spot on the FBI's most wanted fugitives list...
"Could something like this happen again?" Elena asks to engage her audience. She closes the book and looks over the crowd that's gathered for her book signing. "Yes, it absolutely could happen again. We don't know what clicks inside someone to turn them into serial killers. We do know that they share some common childhood traits such as bed-wetting, animal cruelty, antisocial behavior, and aggression among others."
"Miss Gilbert will be taking your questions now. Please raise your hands," Honoria Fell, the owner of 'Turn The Page', announces to begin the session.
A young blonde girl raises hers. When Elena points to her, she stands.
"Miss Gilbert, it's so great to meet you in person. I have read your book, and it seems that neither the Las Vegas police nor the FBI has been able to come up with a motive for the killings."
"They did enlist the help of a criminal profiler. But they won't know for sure unless and until they arrest the man," Elena answers and takes a swallow of water before pointing at another guest.
"I'd be curious to know what drew your interest to true crime?" another woman asks and sits back down.
When I was young, I saw a TV movie about Ted Bundy- The Deliberate Stranger. I was mesmerized by his story and how one man could commit so many atrocities. Ted Bundy is only one in a long line of such people. The concept of the serial killer is often attributed to former FBI Special agent Robert Ressler, who used the term serial homicide in a 1974 lecture. My favorite writer, Ann Rule, postulates that credit for coining the term goes to LAPD detective Pierce Brooks, who created ViCAP -the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program- in 1985." Elena explains.
After Elena answers several more questions, Miss Fell announces that the Q&A session is over, and the audience should line up for autographs. Elena happily takes her seat behind the autograph table.
When Caroline and Rebekah reach her in line, Elena eagerly signs both their books.
'To my best friend in the world. Thanks for all your help and support. Love you dearly, Elena
"You were fantastic, Elena," Rebekah gushes as she leans over to hug her friend.
"Come here, you!" Caroline also hugs Elena. Pulling out her phone, she takes a photo of Elena, Rebekah, and herself with huge smiles on their faces.
"It was great to see so many people here," Rebekah observes as she looks at all the people that came for Elena's book signing.
"I love you guys," Elena gushes.
"We're going to run; I have a nail appointment. Call me later!" Caroline blows Elena a kiss as she and Rebekah head for the door.
"Thanks for coming!" Elena smiles at her friends as they walk off.
When the crowd begins to thin, Damon makes his way to Elena's table, opens one of her books, and hands her a pen. "Is it too late to get your autograph, Miss Gilbert?"
Raising her eyes, she smiles wide when she sees Damon smirking above her. "How'd I do?" Elena asks as she walks around the table and straight into his arms.
"Staggeringly good!" he compliments and presses a kiss to her forehead. "You ready to go?"
"Give me a few minutes; I need to make a stop in the lady's room," she explains and skirts around him, chatting with a few stragglers on her way.
Damon watches her go. Sometimes, when he looks at her, like now, he worries...It's not just vampires and other supernatural creatures that prey on the unsuspecting. Too many humans also have a lust for taking human life and her chosen profession puts her in the path of evil far too often. But that's a worry for another day; he doesn't want to get bogged down with what-ifs. At least she isn't in danger from Stefan anymore...
The last time they heard from Lexi, she and Stefan, along with Lee, are somewhere in Transylvania, having taken up residence at another old castle with no neighbors for many miles. The irony is not lost on him. Vampires taking up residence in the home country of Dracula himself. Damon told Stefan to pass on his regards...
Stefan is being given some freedoms now, for which Damon is grateful. He wants to see his brother again, and hopefully that wish will eventually come to pass...
Elena's still working for the newspaper and doing her podcast two nights a week. While she worked relentlessly on getting her book written, Damon remembers the long hours Elijah spent helping Elena with her book and with interviews. Although the case is now considered cold, it's still active. As such, Elijah couldn't share everything with her. There's evidence that needs to remain confidential until they arrest someone for the crimes. When the head of homicide retired a year ago, Elijah applied for and was given the job.
With Elena's nudging, Damon now considers Elijah a friend.
Ric is pulling double duty, working full time at the newspaper with Elena while occasionally pulling bartender duties. He did finally relent and introduce him to Jenna. She's perfect for Ric and keeps him in line. She often joins Elena and her friends when they have a girls evening.
As for himself, Damon found he needed something to occupy his time while Elena worked relentlessly on her book. An idea came one night when they spent an evening at the Wine Cellar Tasting Room in the Rio Casino. The wine was delicious and reminded him of the stories Giuseppe used to tell him about his grandfather, who had been a vintner in Italy. It was one of the only times he'd seen Giuseppe really happy. Damon spent the night regaling Elena with the passed-down stories and told her how his father had saved several of his grandfather's bottles for special occasions. When he was old enough, he was allowed to partake, and Damon told he'd never tasted a wine since that could compete.
Afterward, for fun, Damon started dabbling around with some of his grandfather's recipes. When he thought they were good enough, Damon took his creation to one of the local wineries, where he was hired on the spot. The business is a few miles outside of Las Vegas city limits, allowing him an easy commute. He loves the drive with the Camaro's top-down and the desert air blowing through his hair. His wine has already earned a spot in the competition at the Las Vegas Global Wine and Spirit Awards. It's a black-tie event they'll be attending along with their friends, hoping to be able to celebrate a victory for him.
Damon is jarred out of his thoughts by Elena's return. She threads her fingers with his and says, "Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah," he nods and kisses her hand as they walk out of the bookstore together...
Three years...
They have a small wedding at Valley of Fire State Park. World-renowned for its 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops nestled in gray and tan limestone, Valley of Fire contains ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years.
Surrounded by their small circle of close friends, Elijah officiates the ceremony.
"I love you, Elena. You are my best friend and the love of my life. Today, I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple and when it is an effort. I promise to love and cherish you. These things I give to you today and all the days of our life."
With tears filling her eyes, Elena starts to speak. "I take you, Damon, to be my husband. I promise that we will bear together whatever trials life may yet put upon us. I commit my life to you, one made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and eternally made anew. I shall be with you in tears and in laughter. I pledge this to you today and for all the days of our life."
With their hands linked, they face Elijah again. After a few words, he pronounces them man and wife and Damon kisses the bride...
Five Years...
"Damon, someone's here to see you," his boss, Rudy Hopkins, calls out to him. "And lock up on your way out, would you? I promised the wife I'd take her out for supper."
"Will do," Damon agrees as he runs down the hall to his office. He has promised Rudy he'll meet with one of their distributors in his place. Glancing around, he notices the waiting area in front of his office is empty. Silently cursing for having to hurry for nothing, he finds his office door is slightly open. "What the..." he blurts out as he pushes the door open. He stops when he hears someone say flirtatiously.
"You're late. We had an appointment."
Cautiously entering the office, he finds Elena sitting on a large blanket in the middle of the floor with a picnic basket. "What are you doing here?" he asks, clearly surprised by her presence.
"That's not the reaction I was going for." Elena shoots him a disgruntled look.
Shutting the door behind him, Damon's demeanor softens. "I'm just surprised; that's all." Kicking off his shoes, he crawls across the blanket and sits down next to her. Taking one of her hands he gently kisses it and says, "I'm sorry; I wasn't expecting you."
"I wanted to surprise you. I just thought we could have a little time-out. We've both been so busy. Me with my new book; you here. Plus you're leaving Friday to see your brother."
"I need to see him. And when Stefan's ready, I'm going to make him apologize to you, Elena." Damon squeezes her hand.
"I completely understand. I'll miss you, though."
"And I'll miss you something fierce..." Damon kisses her temple and adds, "So, what's in the basket? I smell…"
Pulling her hand from his and opening the basket, she enthusiastically says, "I picked up the Jimmy John subs you love." Digging further inside, she adds, "I got coleslaw, chips, and some grapes."
Wordlessly, he cups her face and brings his lips to hers, touching them tentatively at first.
Elena advances the kiss by placing her hands on his, lightly darting her tongue and touching his bottom lip. Damon pulls back so their lips are hovering close to one another and whispers, "Are you sure about this?"
"Do you really need to ask?" She quips, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
Not needing any more encouragement, Damon seizes her lips with his own. As she moans, his tongue meets hers in a forceful duel.
Without breaking the kiss, Elena unbuttons his shirt and slides it down his shoulders, caressing his skin as it falls. Damon lays her back on the floor, nestling himself between her now bent legs. Resting on his elbows, he runs his hands down her hair, needing to feel the silken strands in between his fingers.
Damon begins placing light kisses down her cheeks, teasing her by barely touching them before moving down her jawline to her neck. The light kisses become more intense, with Damon biting and sucking intermittently before stopping at her shoulder. Pushing the strap of her light blue dress down, his eyes darken at her newly revealed bare flesh. His lips graze her skin as he moves from her shoulder, running his tongue lightly along her collar bone and down to her breasts which are still covered by the thin fabric of her dress.
Damon places a kiss on one of her already erect nipples while running his thumb lightly over the other. He feels her body arch in response as she implores him not to stop. Gently sliding the dress down her body, he gasps at the sight beneath him. "You're so beautiful."
He shivers as her hands slide down his chest and hastily releases his belt buckle. With her help, Damon frees himself of his clothes. He groans when she wraps her legs around him and presses his tip against her already wet folds.
"We can skip the foreplay," she says softly as she tightens her hold. Smiling at his wife's prowess, he enters her in one strong thrust. They find their rhythm as they rock against each other. Their orgasms come hard and fast, leaving them both clinging to each other.
With her head buried in the crook of his neck, Damon murmurs, "You can make an appointment with me anytime."
Eight years...
When Elena finally reaches her decision, they fly to Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas, where Damon keeps a secluded ocean-front estate. It has the advantage of being small and remote while still being close to home, the perfect place for a newbie vampire gaining her sea legs.
The afternoon of their arrival, Elena's relaxing outside on their private beach. She watches the water, lost in the rhythmic percussion of waves on sand. Her eyes are steady on the horizon, her face aglow with the last orange rays before twilight beckons the stars.
"The sunsets are gorgeous here," Damon calls out as he approaches from behind.
Elena nods. "I don't think I've ever seen one more beautiful."
"Let's go for a walk," Damon suggests, taking her hand to pull her to her feet.
The sand is so white and clean, it might as well be sugar, spread out for miles. Ghost crabs dart past their feet like thieves in the night, going in one hole and out another. Waves crash quietly against the shore bringing seashells and other detritus to the beach.
"Are you ready to go back?"
"I am. I want this, Damon; I'm absolutely sure of it," Elena reassures him.
Damon's hand is suddenly tight on her waist, holding her firmly in place. And then, his lips are on hers.
His hands roam her stomach, her sides, the small of her back, and she utters a moan into his mouth. Damon tugs her closer still, and he lets out a guttural groan, a sound that sends fire flaming through her veins with every pound of his heart.
As her tongue dances languidly with his, he holds on tighter, and she just keeps kissing him.
When he lets go, the corners of his lips quirk up. Without warning, he throws her over his shoulder and sprints down the sand.
Elena tightens her grip, lets out a shriek, and burrows her chin into his neck as the scenery passes in a blur...
Stepping out of the bathroom with a towel cinched around his waist, Damon retrieves a small box from his dresser drawer before joining her on the bed. He shifts onto his side and kisses her. His tongue swirls around hers, massaging it and making her moan softly before he breaks the kiss.
She pouts, and Damon smiles.
"I wondered around aimlessly for over a century. Then I found you. I love you, Elena, so much," he whispers and offers her the box.
Elena sits up in bed to open it. Inside is a stunning ring with a cushion-cut lapis lazuli stone surrounded by diamonds. "It's beautiful…"
"Do you remember when I went to Croatia last year to visit Stefan?"
"I remember."
"I stopped in Paris to see an old friend... I'd like you to meet her someday; Sheila's an amazing woman and a witch. I asked her to spell it," he says softly.
Elena's eyes well with tears as she places it in his palm and offers her hand, gasping slightly when he slides it onto her right ring finger. Over the years they've had this conversation many times. Damon's always been adamant that she wait until there were no doubts left about turning. He wanted the decision to be hers and hers alone, always reassuring her that he'd forever be at her side. Whether or not she's human or a vampire is inconsequential to him.
"Are you absolutely sure?" he asks again, cradling her right hand between his.
"I'm sure. I want an eternity with you, Damon."
Emotion clouds his eyes. He lowers his fangs, bites into his wrist, and offers it to her. Elena latches on and sucks without hesitation.
When she pulls back, he sucks in an unneeded breath. "I need to be inside you," he says into her mouth as he slides her beneath him.
Elena spreads her legs farther, inviting him to enter her, and just as he's about to, he grabs her hands in his, entwining their fingers and laying them on the pillow on either side of her head. He pushes in slowly, his tongue entering her mouth at the same pace until they're as joined as two people can be.
Elena stares into his eyes, and he presses his forehead to hers and begins to move, slowly in and out, his hands never leaving hers. She opens her legs even farther, pulling her knees up, trying to get him impossibly closer. His hips swirl and surge.
They move this way until Damon feels her body tighten, the tingling in his own is the intense he's ever felt. His mouth leaves hers, his eyes once again searching. When he sees the unmistakable love in them, he comes powerfully, his body urging hers to do the same. He follows right behind, mashing their hips together and remaining between her legs. With a heavy sigh, he lets his forehead fall close to hers.
Before the waves of her euphoria recede, Damon cradles her face. "Tu sei la mia per sempre, Elena."
"I love you, Damon."
She breathes her last when he snaps her neck...
Nighttime graces the sky once more with its ambient deep hues. The stars shine like sugar spilling over black marble and glistening in the sun.
Elena's lost in thought, her head resting against the window, not even realizing Damon has stopped the car.
"Elena?" he says softly.
She lets out a harsh breath as she hugs her middle.
"Look at me," Damon implores, "I know your first feed is hard...but, sweetheart, we can't put the genie back into the bottle."
"I know," Elena whispers, her eyes glistening with moisture.
"You're going to be fine. I promise."
Elena wipes her eyes, puts her hand in his, and steps out of the car. He squeezes her hand as he closes the door.
"I have someone waiting," Damon says softly while looking into her eyes.
Elena nods and allows him to lead her to unsuspecting prey.
The alley is dark and eerily quiet, causing Elena's skin to prickle. Standing against one of the brick walls is a shadow of a woman.
"Come, Elena," Damon says softly, taking her hand and urging her forward.
Elena swallows thickly and her mouth feels like sandpaper. The woman before her is dressed flamboyantly, and bright red lipstick coats her mouth.
"Damon?"
"I won't let you kill anyone. Trust me, Elena."
"I do." She nods absently as she stares at the woman.
Damon steps forward. He extends his fangs and lowers his mouth to the blonde's neck, bites down, and steps back.
Elena's mesmerized by the way the woman's blood pools around her wounds. Unable to take her eyes from the blood as it begins streaming down her prey's neck, Elena's heart begins to hammer inside her chest.
Damon's hands land on her shoulders. "She's compelled," he whispers in her ear. "It won't hurt. She'll have no memory of it."
After releasing a heavy sigh, Elena shakily steps forward and extends her fangs. "Damon?"
"I promise I won't let you hurt her." He gives her a nudge.
The veins beneath her eyes begin to ripple as she sinks her fangs into the woman's neck. It is euphoric! The feeling of power is indescribable...She feels Damon's hands on her shoulders pulling gently.
"I want more!" she snarls at him.
"No!" Damon pulls her back before she can latch on again. "You have to learn to control your blood lust otherwise it controls you," he cautions, staring at Elena for a moment before moving to the blonde.
Elena's face returns to normal, and she starts to cry. "Oh my God, I'm sorry. I'm so-I'm so sorry. I didn't-I didn't mean to..."
"Now go home," Damon orders the woman, watching as she runs out of the alley.
"What have I done?"
Damon pulls a handkerchief out of his pocket and wipes the blood off the corner of Elena's mouth. "Nothing you should be ashamed of. You are a vampire now. You just have to learn the right way to be one."
He pushes a strand of hair out of her face and behind her ear.
Elena nods hesitantly.
"Let's go home..." Damon wraps his arm around her shoulders, hugs her close, and together they walk out of the alley.
Twelve years...
"Supper's done. Come eat," Elena calls as she steps through the back door.
"Not quite yet, mom," Thatcher replies, punching his baseball glove with his fist.
"Just a few more minutes, Mom?" Damon quips, flashing his eye-thing in her direction. "He has a game tomorrow."
Elena shakes her head as she considers the pair. "I guess the rhubarb bars will have to wait," she taunts, tweaking the end of Maggie's braid.
"You made rhubarb bars?" Thatcher asks, looking up at Elena.
The three-year-old bobs her head up and down. "Mommy let me help," Maggie adds excitedly.
"Well, then they'll taste extra special!" Damon deposits her on his shoulders and runs inside with Maggie squealing excitedly.
Elena stares at her little family. Because of her choice to turn, she can never have any children of her own, a fact which had spawned some deep melancholy from time to time. At Damon's suggestion, they looked into the possibility of foster parenting and adoption.
The way Thatcher and Maggie came into their lives was heartbreaking. Their parents both died after their father had a psychotic break in a store parking lot and killed their mother before turning the gun on himself. Maggie was an infant, and Thatcher was only five at the time. Thankfully, they were at a neighbor's house while Martha, their mother, left to get some groceries, having no idea about the horror that was awaiting her.
As the crime-writer at the paper, the case came across Elena's desk as it was big news in Las Vegas at the time, and something about the two children struck a chord with her. She became determined to learn more about them.
After finding out the children had no close relatives and would be going into the foster care system, Elena knew she had to bring them to Damon's attention. They had many discussions and did a lot of soul-searching before going through all the hoops to bring these special kids into their home.
Damon and Elena were immediately enamored with Thatcher and Maggie. After having them in their home for a little over a year, they applied to legally adopt them.
It's been such a joy for Elena watching Damon with the kids; he had given up on parenting a long time ago, but he's a natural.
It has taken some time getting used to the new dynamic, and they've had difficult moments to be sure, but what family doesn't? They've always been parents to Maggie, having brought her into their family at such a young age, but the first day Thatcher called them mom and dad brought Elena to happy tears.
Her heart melted completely when she saw Damon's eyes glimmer with pride. Elena knows the time will come when they'll have to tell them what they are, and then the children will have their own decisions to make. Whatever their choice might be, Elena and Damon will always be there, watching over them.
"You're excited for tomorrow? Your first game," Elena asks, watching as Thatcher tosses his baseball glove on top of his duffle bag.
He bobs his head excitedly. "You're coming, right?"
She rests her hand on his shoulder and winks at her son. "Wild horses couldn't keep your dad and me away!"
Damon shifts his shoulders tiredly as he lets himself into the house. He's just come back from an extremely long albeit productive day at the winery. He stops short in the living room.
Elena.
"Hey!" she smiles up at him. "How was your day?"
"Rudy told me he thinks I'm the best vintner he's ever hired!" Damon smirks at her as he slides off his leather jacket and casually throws it on the couch. "Where are the kids?"
Caroline and Niklaus took them to a movie with Maddie."
"Drink?" he offers as he pours himself one and sits down next to her.
"Maybe later?"
"Hear that?" Damon asks, emptying half the pour before setting it down on a coaster.
"The quiet...it's nice, but I wouldn't change a thing," she answers, beaming at him.
Damon grins at her, stands up, and reaches for both her hands, pulling her up with him. "Do you remember one of those first times we ran into each other...when I salt-and- limed your arm for a tequila shot?" He wraps his arms around her waist, and she places hers around his neck.
"I do; I remember snapping at you," Elena points out just as his mouth closes over hers. He lives for the coolness of her hands against his skin and the feel of her lips moving against his.
When he pulls back, he gives her a soft smile. "That's when I knew you were the one," he murmurs against her mouth before pulling back
She lets her hands rest on his chest, exactly above his heart. "I love you, Damon Salvatore."
He brings his hands to rest over hers, holding them against his chest. "Tu sei la mia per sempre, Elena," he whispers as their lips meet once again.
The End...
*Tu sei la mia per sempre, Elena - "You are my forever, Elena."
"Chapter title: 'Bless The Broken Road' by Rascal Flatts.
Massive thanks to all of you for going along on this journey with DE. Thanks for the reviews, favorites and follows. The DE fandom is the best.
Massive thanks to Morgan and to Eva. They're both brilliant writers. Be sure to check out their stories.
I'm most proud to say that I now have 139 COMPLETED stories. I promised myself when I decided to dip my toe into writing that I wasn't going to be someone who abandons her stories. I'm happy to have kept that promise. I'm leaving fanfiction for now. I won't say it's permanent because I don't know when or if I'll get inspired again.
Again, huge thanks to all of you who've read my stories over the years. I can never thank you enough for the friendships and acquaintances I've made here. I've never met Eva in person but I consider her my best friend. I consider so many of you dear friends. Someone told me once that we could go anywhere in the world and have coffee or drinks with a DE fan. We'd get along splendidly. I wouldn't have that without DE fanfic.
Take care of yourselves and have a wonderful day.