Stefan couldn't take anymore. He hadn't slept all night. He needed Elena. He needed her more than anything else in this world, but he wasn't so sure she was ready to forgive him. He wasn't angry with her. Stefan couldn't possibly be upset with her for wanting her space from him. Not being near her was the last thing he wanted but he understood her reasoning for wanting to get away from him. He had lied to her, he betrayed her trust. She deserved time to process it all. Stefan wanted her to take all the time she needed. Giving up on sleep he decided to get up and see if she was awake yet.
knocking gently on his door he slowly entered to see her standing in front of his window looking out at the sun slowly rising.
"I don't know what to do Stefan." Elena sighed.
"You don't have to decide right now."
Elena turned to face him to see his tired eyes. "You didn't sleep."
Stefan shook his head. "Not much."
"I can't make sense of it all." Elena confessed tiredly.
"You don't have to right now." Stefan said.
"This is all too much to think about."
"Then don't think. Just do what you feel is best."
"I don't know what's best." She sighed exhausted running her fingers through her hair. "I want to hate you for what you did. I want to yell and scream and be so mad at you and Katherine."
"Then be mad at me." Stefan approached her slowly.
"I hate you." Elena said quietly. "I hate you for making me fall in love with you all over again."
Stefan nodded sadly understanding her pain. Her love for him was making it impossible for her to react to this. "Maybe you need some time to yourself."
"I think that's best." Elena agreed. "I don't want to be here when Katherine wakes up. Being in the same room as you two makes my skin crawl."
Stefan hung his head knowing this was all his fault. "I can drive you home."
"I can drive myself." She replied not meaning to make him feel bad. "I'll call you when I'm ready to talk." She promised.
"Elena you have to understand I was only looking out for you."
"That's the thing Stefan, you weren't looking out for me. If you were then you would have chose me. You would have picked my love for you and told me the truth. You sided with Katherine. A loyalty I will never understand." Elena said as she grabbed his keys and headed out the door. Defeated Stefan laid down in his bed taking in her lingering scent wondering if this truly would be the last time she shared a bed with him. The truth hurts. He knew from the beginning that he was wrong and he would only end up lying more to cover his tracks.
Elena drove all around town trying to think of someplace to go. She had no one to talk to. She had so much going on in her mind that she needed to just talk to someone. Anyone but she needed to clear her guilt first. There was one person she needed to check on to make sure that they were okay. Her innappropriate behavior with Stefan in Vegas had caused people a lot of pain. It was time to start cleaning up her messes so she could be guilt free when she made her next move.
Pulling up to Matt's she knew he was probably angry with her. But she decided to knock on his door anyways. It took him a couple of minutes but he finally answered.
"What are you doing here Elena?" He said looking her over. She looked troubled and all he wanted to do was help her but he couldn't. Not this time.
"Matt I am so sorry." She said as she felt the tears coming on. This was it. This was her time to be honest and confess everything. If Stefan could face his demons with her then she could too.
"Are those Stefan's clothes?" Matt asked looking at her attire. "Unbelievable." He mutter as he began to shut the door.
"Matt wait." Elena said. "I need to explain myself to you."
"You fucked Stefan." He spat. "I don't need details." He said slamming the door in her face.
Elena felt shoulder's shake as she sobbed. This man had taken care of her through all her pain and heartache and now she had betrayed him. Elena felt immense guilt that she had taken his friendship for granted and destroyed them. She wasn't upset that they were over. She was upset that she had hurt him.
Stefan stared at the fire as it cracked burning lowly. He couldn't remember the last time the house was this quiet. There was always some kind of commotion going on. It was unlike Katherine or Damon to not be up and making snide remarks to start off the day. Stefan wondered how much they had heard throughout the night. He was hoping none, but he possibly couldn't be that lucky.
"Where's Elena?" Katherine asked breaking Stefan's silence.
"I don't know." Stefan shrugged. "If I know her at all she's probably at Matt's."
"Why?"
"Because she knows the truth."
"You told her?" Katherine asked with disbelief.
"No. She took a page from your book and decided to go through my journals."
Katherine rolled her eyes at his dramatics. "If she knows then why is she at Matt's?"
"To free herself of the guilt she feels for cheating on him with me. She isn't like you Katherine. She can't be a manipulative bitch." He spat out turning to face her.
Katherine could see the red in his eyes and the stench of bourbon on his breath. "You are pathetic."
"I'm pathetic?" Stefan roared. "You are the one who is pathetic! I lost so much for you! I lost my girlfriend so you could have a relationship with her. I lost my brother's trust so you could win him back. While he was off getting drunk to forget your psycho self you are at home seducing his little brother!"
Just then Katherine slapped him across the face. Stefan's green eyes darkened and as she reached up to slap him again for insulting her in such a way Damon's hand clasped around her raised wrist.
"Katherine." Damon said lowly. "Is this true?" Damon asked knowing that he had walked in a private conversation.
"You don't understand." Katherine said shaking her head as Damon let go of her. "I was drunk."
"You kissed Stefan, not the other way around?" Damon asked looking between the two and then settling his piercing gaze on her.
"Damon I love you." She whispered.
"Oh God." Stefan groaned. "You two make me sick." He said. "Damon please do me a favor and don't break up with her. The town can't handle her on the loose."
"Why did you lie?" He asked Stefan.
"Ask her." Stefan said walking past the both of them. He needed to get away from this place. It was beginning to suffocate him. Before he knew it he was being picked up by Lexi and Tyler. This wasn't how he wanted to wait for Elena to come back to him.
"Stefan are you sure about this?" Lexi asked when they pulled up to the lake house.
Stefan nodded getting out. "I have nowhere else to go." He said approaching the house.
"You can stay with me man." Tyler suggested.
"No." Stefan shook his head. "I have to stay here for when she comes back."
"Stefan you don't need to be alone." Lexi sighed sympathetic to her friend. His heart was broken. "You wanna tell me about it?"
"I don't." Stefan said walking into the house with the two following him.
"Then why am I here?" Lexi wondered aloud. "You are only going to torture yourself being here without her."
"I deserve it." Stefan mumbled making himself a drink.
"A little early don't you think?" Lexi raised a brow at him in question.
"Lexi his wife just left him." Tyler shrugged grabbing himself a glass as well.
"Tyler." Lexi said in a warning tone for him to butt out.
"Lexi I'm fine." Stefan assured taking a sip of his drink feeling the burn. "Make yourself useful and turn on some music or get out."
"You're an ass when you're hurt." Lexi rolled her eyes going to turn some music on. If Stefan wanted to get drunk then she would humor him.
Across town Elena was in the arms of her best friends crying. She broke down and went to Bonnie's knowing she needed someone. She had to get everything off her chest. Bonnie was more than understanding and called Caroline for a girls night. Elena more than welcomed the company. She was confused and just needed a good distraction from it all.
Two weeks later things were changing. For the better and for the worse. Elena had successfully avoided Katherine like the Plague. She had tried a million times to seek her out but Elena ignored her like she was invisible. Katherine was growing more and more frustrated with Elena's antics. It wasn't what she was used to from her little sister. Maybe Stefan was right when he tried to protect their relationship. Elena was getting better day by day as she tried to wrap her head around Stefan's logic. She hated what he had done to them, but she also was starting to understand his reasoning. He was doing what he always does and protecting her even if it ruined them. It was hard to understand but she was trying. This wasn't exactly how she planned things to turn out.
Elena was sitting at the Grill across from Bonnie discussing Christmas that was coming up.
"Have you bought him anything?" Bonnie asked referring to Stefan.
"Why would I?" Elena asked.
"Because he's your husband like it or not. And if I know him then I know he has already bought you something."
Elena shook her head taking a sip of her drink. Two long weeks without seeing Stefan. It was awkward to say the least considering they had spent the last four months together. But it was time well spent apart. She was clearing her head. "I don't know what to get him or do."
Bonnie smiled sympathetically at her friend. She felt bad for her having to endure this at such a young age. No one could relate to her. Elena and Stefan were simply on their own in this to figure it out. It was yet again a huge mess they had created. "Just don't forget about him. He loves you."
"How can I forget?" Elena said showing Bonnie her phone. Stefan called every morning and night to check on her. The first three nights he left her alone not calling or texting once, but she had heard through the grapevine that he had spent those days wasted with Tyler. She couldn't really blame him there. She would of chosen to get smashed too if Bonnie and Caroline hadn't been such supportive distractions. They didn't let her fall off the deep end.
"Speaking of the devil." Bonnie said nodding her head towards the door where Stefan had just walked in.
Elena looked at him discreetly taking him in. Two weeks without seeing him had been a weird kind of torture. She wasn't sure how she was feeling or if she was missing him.
"Hey guys." Tyler said sitting down beside Bonnie. Stefan stood awkwardly not sure what to do. "Sit down man it's not like Elena bites." Tyler teased.
Elena looked down at her hands nervously as Bonnie rolled her eyes at her friend's antics. She kicked Elena under the table making Elena scoot over giving Stefan room to sit down.
"Hi." Elena said looking at him to see how tired he looked.
"Hi." He said showing her a glimpse of a smile.
"Stefan here was just telling me about how he got accepted in to Stanford."
"Tyler." Stefan said in a warning tone. Elena's eyes widened at the news of this. In all the chaos of every thing she had completely forgotten about college. She couldn't even remember which schools she had applied to but she knew that Stanford was not on her list.
"Wow that's amazing." Bonnie said smiling. "I'm so proud of you Stefan."
"Our boy here will be hitting the west coast." Tyler grinned as Stefan hung his head not wanting to think about it.
"Did you apply anywhere else?" Elena asked quietly meeting his eyes. It was a reasonable question. Stanford was something they had never discussed but then again they hadn't really talked about college. Would they attend together? She had no clue.
"A couple." Stefan assured her. "I haven't heard back from the rest."
"Any around here?" She asked him.
"Duke." Stefan said making Elena nod.
"I'm happy for you." She admitted and Stefan sighed shaking his head. This isn't what he needed right now. He didn't need the pressure of college effecting her choice to be with him or not. Elena would try and choose whatever was best for him not for herself.
"Thanks." He mumbled. "Tyler we should probably head out." Stefan didn't want to be this close to her at the moment knowing the wheels were turning in her mind making up scenarios that weren't true.
"Yeah I'm sure Mason is waiting on us." Tyler nodded leaning over to kiss Bonnie on the cheek before standing up. "It was good seeing you girls." He winked.
"You too Ty." Bonnie said.
Stefan went to stand but Elena grabbed his arm stopping him from standing fully. "Can we discuss our Christmas arrangements?"
"Now?" Stefan asked not sure what they had to discuss. It wasn't like they would be having one big family get together. Not with Elena and Katherine at odds.
"Tonight?"
Stefan took a breath trying to thing about it. Of course he wanted to talk about things with her but he didn't want her making any decisions just because of some stupid acceptance letter he received. "I'm busy tonight." Stefan lied.
"Oh." The disappoint showed on her face.
Stefan felt horrible for telling her no. All he could think about in his head is her giving them up without a second thought because of his acceptance letter. He couldn't let her define their future because of college. "Let me go help Tyler and Mason first. I'll meet you at the lakehouse when I'm done."
Elena felt her heart flutter at the thought of him agreeing. Her mind was in overdrive about all of this. She needed to know what his thoughts were about everything. College was something she completely forgot about up until now. "Call me when you are done?"
"Of course." Stefan nodded before walking out with Tyler.
"I need to talk to Jenna." Elena said to Bonnie before making her way out.
"Elena what are you doing here?" Jenna asked surprised to see her niece. "Come in."
Elena walked inside and fell onto their couch. She loved the comfort of Jenna's home. "Stefan got accepted to Stanford."
"That's great." Jenna exclaimed happy for him. "Stefan has worked so hard." Elena felt the pain of knowing that Jenna was right. Stefan had always dreamed about college. Jenna studied Elena's less then enthusiastic face. "I take it you're not happy." Jenna stated as she sat down beside her.
"I'm happy." Elena sighed. "I want him to always succeed. I just don't know where this leaves us."
"Did you two not talk about this?" Jenna asked confused. Elena's silence made Jenna gasp in shock. "Elena that's a huge thing to not talk about."
Elena ran her fingers through her hair. "I know this. We weren't exactly speaking when I was filling out my college applications."
Jenna felt sorry for her. "How big is Stanford to him?"
Elena shrugged. "I didn't know it was one of his choices."
"The two of you have to talk." Jenna said softly. "I know you are confused about everything."
"Katherine told you?" Elena groaned.
"She loves you."
Elena shook her head. "She took him from me."
"You can't keep punishing them. They were trying to protect you."
"Jenna she made me hate him. Do you know what she took from me? Do you know what it's like to know that he let her? I can't feel anything right now but anger."
"Where did you apply to college?" Jenna said knowing it was useless right now to try and make Elena see that her sister loves her despite her wicked ways.
"Not Stanford." Elena spat out. She was annoyed with everything. Annoyed with Stefan for applying to such an amazing school and getting accepted. She was even more annoyed at herself for not thinking about this happening.
"You don't like the idea of him going?"
"Jenna I don't think you would like the idea of your husband going to school in a different town much less a different state than you."
"I wouldn't like it." Jenna agreed. "But then again Ric and I actually talk about the things we want from our relationship."
Elena narrowed her eyes at her Aunt's low blow. "Thanks for the support."
"Stop being so touchy." Jenna rolled her eyes at her dramatics. "Obviously you want a future with him am I right?"
"I don't know." Elena shrugged.
"I think the only person stopping you from being with him is you. That pain you felt when you found out he might being going across the country goes to show how much you pictured your own future with him. He has to know what you want in order to help you get through this."
"I don't want to go running back to him and him think that what he did was oaky."
"Then don't."
"You sure are a lot of help today." Elena said sarcastically.
"You don't need my help." Jenna smiled. "You just need someone to give you a push in the right direction. He loves you and wants to be with you."
Just then Elena's phone was ringing with a picture of Stefan popping up across the screen. Jenna laughed knowingly as Elena shook her head not wanting Jenna to think she was right.
Stefan sat nervously on the couch. He wasn't sure what Elena really wanted to talk about. He figured it was not about Christmas. Stefan didn't want to have this talk with her. Being without her lately had left him a lot of time to think. The time alone in the house proved to him just how lonely his life could be without her in it every day. Was he ready to endure a life without her? He didn't know but he did know that he needed to do what was best for him. If she wasn't willing to forgive him then he needed to start thinking about his self. It wasn't what he wanted but she wasn't giving him any choice. Elena was hurt and maybe it was the last line for her.
He heard the soft footsteps come through the house. It was almost like music to his ears to hear her footsteps padding through the house again. The house had been too quiet without her around.
"Hi." She said softly as she sat down beside him breaking him from his lonely thoughts.
"Hi." Stefan repeated.
"You seem to be keeping the place up." Elena noticed.
"I hired someone to come clean this week." Stefan admitted making Elena smile.
"Maybe you should keep her around." She joked. "I really hate doing dishes."
Stefan laughed. "I will."
"How are you?" She asked.
Stefan shrugged running his fingers through his hair and tugging on the ends. Elena could see the tension in his body. "Stanford means nothing Elena." He point blank told her. "If you're here about my acceptance then don't waste your breath because I choose you."
Elena could feel the tears threatening to form. He was always so selfless when it came to her. "Stanford is an amazing school."
"I only applied because you told me you were going to school with Matt." He said. "I didn't want to chance ever seeing you again." He admitted his reasoning. "I didn't think I would get in."
"Do you know how proud of you that I am that you go accepted?"
"Elena we aren't discussing this." Stefan's tone changed to demanding. "I'll discuss anything else but college right now."
"Stefan that is our future." Elena said.
"Do you wanna be with me?" He pleaded with her to want him. To pick him just this once despite his mistakes. He needed her to pick him this time.
"Stefan..."
"No." Stefan shook his head. "No Elena." He turned towards her and grabbed her face in his hands making her look at him. "My future is with you, but if you won't let me have you then tell me."
Elena studied his face wondering how she could ever go a day without this man. He was everything she wanted and more.
"Let me love you again." He whispered.
Elena knew what she needed to say. It was on the tip of her tongue. He was waiting for her to let him in again. She knew that if she did then it could be the best thing in her life. He would never leave her side. Stefan would make it his life mission to make her happy. She didn't want him to put his own needs after hers anymore. It was how they ended up in the situation after all. She needed him like she needed air to breath but she couldn't handle another heartbreak.
"I applied to NYU." Elena cried.
Stefan closed his eyes as he felt her tears run down her cheeks. He pulled her to him into his lap as she rested her head in the crook of his neck. It's not what he was looking for her to say but it was enough. Stefan held her for what seemed like hours as they sat in silence thinking about their future. New York was always her dream. He knew from years ago that she had always dreamt of going there one day but she never believed she would get in. She always assumed she would go to Duke or Whitmore and follow in her parent's footsteps. To hear her say she applied both made him happy and sad. There was no way that they would deny her. Elena was the top of their class and she was brilliant.
"My parents are expecting us for Christmas." Elena finally spoke up. Stefan was lazily running his fingers up and down her spine lost in his thoughts of a life in New York. He would make it work. Stefan vowed to follow her there whether he could get in or not. If Elena wanted New York then that is exactly what he would give her.
"Will you come home?" Stefan murmured. Inhaling his scent Elena knew she couldn't live without him any longer. They would figure it all out day by day. Elena nodded making Stefan wrap his arms around her tighter and kiss the top of her head repeatedly. This was what he needed. He needed her because without her he couldn't make it.
"You have to promise me something though."
Stefan pulled away slightly lifting her chin to look at him. "Anything."
"You have to put your needs before my own. Promise me that you will think about Stanford."
"Not if it means losing you." Stefan stated.
"Stefan..." Elena began.
"Shh..." He said placing his finger over her lips. "I will consider it." He agreed. Elena wouldn't back down from it and he knew it would please her if he just agreed.
She kissed his finger before he removed it. "Thank you."
"Have dinner with me." He said.
"I don't want to move." She smiled making him smile. She ran her hands through his hair watching his eyes flutter closed at her touch. She loved being this close to him. "I'm still confused."
"I know." Stefan nodded. "But I'm here. We are here."
"I still want to discuss college."
"We will." Stefan said. "But right now I really just want to kiss you." Elena smirked as she could see the hunger in his eyes. "My wife deserves to see my appreciation for her forgiving heart."
"Mr. Salvatore what are you waiting for?" She asked pulling him to her crashing her lips to his. Stefan groaned at the feel of her lips against his. It was heaven to be this close to her again.
Neither was sure how much time was spent connected on the couch. Stefan had Elena pinned currently beneath him on the couch as he devoured her lips with his. Elena easily stripped him of his shirt feeling each muscle on his upper body loving the way they flexed under her touch.
"You drive me mad." He whispered in her ear.
"I've missed this." She moaned wiggling beneath him as his hips ground into hers.
"I love that you're my wife." He pulled back brushing same hair from her face with a loving smile. It was the first time he had openly told her how much he loved their status. Stefan always pictured them to be different when they were married. But this was perfect to him. It didn't matter how it happened. She was Mrs. Salvatore and nothing tasted better.
"I see you've forgiven my brother." Damon's voice broke them apart.
Stefan's head shot up high enough to see his brother standing in the kitchen with a smug look on his face. He was up to no good.
"Damon now isn't a good time." Stefan said handing Elena his shirt to put on.
"I think now is a perfect time. I mean you do have a lifetime to make up for lost time." Damon said with a flat tone.
Stefan raised himself off of Elena once his shirt was securely on her.
"Damon what are you doing here?" Elena asked confused.
"Your sister is hurting Elena." Damon told her and Elena just rolled her eyes walking past him to find something for dinner.
"Does lasagna sound good?" Elena asked Stefan pulling a box from the freezer.
"Sounds good I'll make a salad." He said making Elena smile at him. She was at peace for the moment. "Damon Katherine is Elena's business not mine."
"You can forgive my brother but not your own sister?" Damon was not happy at all.
"Damon what my sister did to me is unforgivable."
"She was drunk." Damon threw his hands in the air exhausted by all of this. "It happened a long time ago. She said she was sorry."
"I lost my relationship with Stefan because of her drunken actions. She tried to seduce your own brother. How can you not be disgusted in the least bit?" Elena spat at him.
"I'm disgusted with you and how little sympathy you are showing her."
"She deserves no sympathy." Elena said not backing down to him.
"You think this marriage will last?" Damon scoffed. "The two of you are children who are playing house. Elena you think Stefan is going to stick around and play house with you and settle for Duke? You're only fooling yourselves if you think this marriage will make it through the summer."
"Enough." Stefan's voice boomed. He would not let Damon ruin his progress with Elena. Elena looked at Damon feeling defeated. She left the room without a second glance at either one of them.
"I won't stand for this to go on any longer." Damon warned him.
Stefan felt his temper rising knowing Elena was upset. "Get out Damon."
"You're fooling yourself little brother."
"Do not show back up here uninvited again. Do you not remember how when you thought it was me how pissed you were with me for kissing Katherine? You didn't speak to me for months. Elena still needs time to wrap her head around her sister kissing her boyfriend. Just like you needed time to process it all. I won't let you disrespect her Damon. Katherine is your business just like Elena is mine. I love her and I will spend the rest of my life making up for my mistake that night with Katherine."
"I don't like to see her hurting." Damon said before walking out.
When the door shut Stefan felt two arms wrap around him from behind.
"Thank you." She said kissing his back. Stefan turned in her arms lifting her chin to look at him before softly kissing her lips.
"He's frustrated."
"We all are." Elena sighed.
Stefan nodded picking her up and setting her on the counter. He placed his hands on top of her jean covered thighs while Elena played with his hair. "Will you ever forgive her?"
"Eventually." Elena said. "But not right now."
"He's wrong you know." Stefan said looking at her.
"I know." She said kissing his forehead. Stefan tilted his head up letting his lips find hers. He needed to feel close to her. This was all like a dream to him. One he never wanted to wake up from. It was pure bliss being in her arms again. Stefan's hands snaked up underneath his shirt that she was wearing. The warm skin beneath his fingertips was intoxicating. He loved how soft she was. It was something he missed. Stefan picked her up wrapping her legs around his waist as he carried her back into the living room where he sat on the couch with her straddling his thighs. Just as he was about to strip his shirt from her there was a knock on the door.
"Ignore it." Stefan whispered taking her ear lobe in his teeth nibbling on it making her moan into the crook of his neck. Elena did just that ignoring the door but the knocking persisted.
"Stefan!" He heard Lexi yell.
"I really hate her." He whispered picking Elena up and placing her on the couch. "Don't move." He kissed her again before heading to the door. "Yes?" Stefan asked swinging the door open an before he could say anything else Lexi, Caroline and Tyler were making their way in.
"Oh my God!" Caroline squealed making her way to Elena. Tyler and Lexi looked to see Elena on the couch looking quite ravished with Stefan's shirt on and then to see him shirtless.
"Oh shit." Lexi laughed. "You two were totally about to bang!"
"Lexi." Stefan said embarrassed. "Filter."
"Sorry but this is so exciting." Lexi clapped. "It smells delicious in here." She said changing subjects heading to the kitchen to check out dinner for them.
"Sorry bro." Tyler laughed.
"When did this happen?" Caroline asked Elena who was feeling rather flustered with their friend's arrival.
"Just now." Elena said playing with the bottom of Stefan's shirt. It was really a lot for her to take in too because agreeing to be with Stefan also meant agreeing to be married for real after high school. She wasn't sure if she could handle it all but looking at Stefan she knew she had to try.
"I had no clue you two were in here or we wouldn't have dropped by." Caroline said.
"Yeah Stefan has been such a Debbie downer lately I couldn't stand to let him spend another night alone, but boy was I wrong." Lexi winked making Stefan run his hands over his face before going to the couch and pulling Elena back into his lap. He needed to feel close to her even though he just had her. He was afraid she would disappear.
"So what does this mean?" Caroline asked.
Stefan waited for Elena to answer. "It means we are going to give it a try." Elena kissed the corner of his mouth while playing with his hand.
"Can I make a plate?" Lexi asked as she sat down with a plate of food making everyone laugh.
"Sure." Stefan said. "Do you guys want to stay?"
"Not if we are keeping you from getting it in." Tyler said earning a disapproving look from the girls. "Why is it when I'm blunt I get in trouble?"
"You're a dude." Lexi pointed out.
"No shit." Tyler laughed.
"But seriously we don't have to stay." Caroline said.
"No." Elena shook her head. "You can stay. We can watch a movie?" She suggested.
Two movies later Caroline was passed out on the love seat curled up next to Tyler. Lexi was sprawled out on the floor snoring. Stefan and Elena were laying on the couch spooned.
"I like this." Elena said looking at their friends. "It's how it should be."
Stefan kissed her shoulder. "It feels god to be together."
"Put Lexi on the couch." Elena said sitting up. "Will you hold me tonight? I just want to feel close to you."
"Of course." Stefan said.
"I'll meet you upstairs."
Stefan carefully picked Lexi up placing her on the couch draping a blanket over her.
"Stef?" She mumbled opening her eyes sleepily.
Stefan squatted down to be eye level with her. "I'm here."
"I heard about Stanford. Congrats."
Stefan smiled shaking his head. "Thank you."
"It's too far away though." Lexi told him. "I can't be that far from you."
"I know." Stefan said seeing the fear in her eyes of him leaving her behind. Lexi wasn't ready to be without Stefan yet. He couldn't blame her. The thought of being without his best friend pained him too. Lexi didn't have the best home life and he knew he was the only family she had.
"Tell Elena we have to get a three bedroom apartment."
Stefan laughed with a grin. "I'll let her know. Now get some sleep."
"I expect breakfast."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Stefan kissed her forehead before heading up.
Elena was already underneath the covers. He stripped down to his boxers before climbing in behind her. Wrapping his arms around her he felt her relax. This was home to him. He didn't know how he got here today but he wouldn't question it."Did Lexi wake up?"
"For a minute." He said.
"Is she okay?" Elena could already hear the sadness in his voice.
"She told me we will have to get a three bedroom apartment when we go to college?"
"Why three?"
"One for you, her and me."
"We won't be sharing?" Elena teased.
"If that's what you want." Stefan said kissing her shoulder happy she wanted to be with him.
"Did you and Lexi apply to the same colleges?"
"A few." He answered. "She is scared of losing me I think."
"I know the feeling."
"Hey." Stefan said turning her flat on her back so he could see her face. "You will never lose me. I will not be without you again. So it seems to me like you will be stuck with me and Lexi for the rest of your life."
Elena smiled. "Lexi huh?"
"She's a part of me."
"What happens when Lexi starts dating?"
Stefan cringed. He didn't like to think about her dating. She was like his sister afterall. "She isn't allowed to have sleep overs."
"Always the protector."
"Lexi needs someone to take care of her." Stefan didn't deny his protector status.
"No one better than you."
"She doesn't have a great home life you know that."
"Stefan I understand." Elena said cupping his face in her hand. "Lexi is welcome to live with us right now if she wants to."
"I wish her parents were different." Stefan sighed. Lexi was so special to him and Elena felt as if she loved him even more for it.
"She has us now." Elena said running her fingers through his hair. "We love her and we will take care of her." Stefan's eyes closed at her comforting gesture. He was so overwhelmed by being so close to her. He could feel every emotion coursing through him as he soaked this all in. Elena was here with him promising to try. It's all he has ever wanted.
"I love you." He whispered opening his eyes to meet hers. His eyes were raw with emotions showing everything he was feeling.
Elena felt a tear slip from her cheek as she pulled him closer to her for a kiss. "I love you so much more." She promised. Stefan sighed with relief letting his head fall to her chest as he just held her. It was all too much for him to believe. Elena ran her fingers through his hair until she was sure he went to sleep before she allowed herself to fall asleep as well. Today was unbelievable. She never thought she would have ended up back here with him. Stanford scared her. College scared her. The prospect of her future struck a fear in her she didn't know existed. But looking at him and feeling him she was calmed. He was her peace of mind. Stefan could put to bed any fears she had. A life without him was something she couldn't endure. Not after spending all this time with him in this house. They would figure it all out in due time. She was sure of it. She would embrace her role as a wife and support the man she loved. She would make him happy because she was happiest when he was. They were a team now.