I can't believe we are going to New York." Elena said happily as she looked at Stefan over the top of her new car while he pumped the gas. He had let her drive most of the way but after a few hours he asked her if she would let him drive the remainder of the way.
Stefan smiled widely at her excitement. It was everything he wanted her to be about this trip. "Better believe it. Think in the fall we will be moving up there."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves here." She laughed.
"You look cute today." Stefan commented. The beanie on her head down to the brown boots he loved so much.
"You don't look too bad yourself." She winked before climbing back into the car.
Finally after hours of driving they were pulling into the big city. Elena's eyes were lit up as she took everything in. This was all she had ever wanted. Stefan watched her happily the best he could while maneuvering through the streets trying to find their hotel. Eventually they pulled in front of an overly expensive hotel Elena was sure of, but she didn't want to ruin Stefan's gift to her so she kept her mouth shut. He got out before opening her door where he handed the valet his keys. Elena had a smile plastered to her face as they walked into the elegant hotel. Stefan checked them in before they made their way to their room.
"This place is beautiful." Elena commented when they reached their room. Some how their bags were already there waiting for them. Stefan turned on a few lights inspecting the place as well. He had yet to stay in a place so luxurious.
"The pictures don't do it justice." He walked up behind her as she walked over to the window to look out at the city. He wrapped his arms around her resting his head on her shoulder.
"Stefan this is amazing." She said quietly. He smiled into her neck placing light kisses along it.
"I love you." He whispered in her ear gently nibbling on it. She turned in his arms attacking his mouth making him stumble a few steps back. He regrouped quickly holding on to her waist as she lead them to the bed.
She pulled his shirt over his head and kissed him again. Stefan had to break the kiss to catch his breath for a moment. Looking down at her he paused. She was beautiful. "You're the best thing that's happened to me." She said holding his face in her hands. "I don't ever want to lose sight of that."
He smiled leaning down to kiss her. "I promise to be the best for the rest of our lives." He said against her lips.
Stefan and Elena were walking hand in hand down the busy streets of New York. It was cold and the sun was shining but they were blissfully happy. They were here together and enjoying all there was to see. He was just as she remembered but a better version of himself. Right now he was looking amazed at the sight of Central Park. There were people everywhere but Stefan seemed content making his way through the park holding her close. Elena could get used to this. She could see them doing this on the weekends. Stefan would more than likely drag her out for jogs but she could handle that. They could go for picnics and everything here. She wanted the whole experience with him on day.
Later that afternoon they were walking around the New York University. It wasn't an official campus tour because most people were gone for the Holidays. Stefan and Elena were just walking around admiring the beauty of the campus. It was definitely somewhere Elena could see herself being for the next four years.
"What do you think?" Stefan asked.
"What do you think?" She questioned him in return earning an annoyed sigh from him. "I see myself here." She admitted.
"I see you here too." He said bringing her hand to his lips. Her fingers were cold so he blew on them before rubbing them in his hand trying to warm her up.
"Yourself?" The caring gesture didn't go unnoticed by her. Stefan was always looking out for her.
"I see myself with you." He said. "Do you want this?" He asked waving around to the place.
"I want you." She said nodded.
Stefan took both her hands in his. "I will be wherever you are." He promised. "If New York is what you want then it is what you will get."
"Stefan I can't be without you." She knew if he had not applied to NYU then he had missed the deadline for the fall already.
"You will never be without me again."
"What about your dream?"
"My dream is you." He said with so much emotion that Elena knew he was telling the truth.
"Could we do this?"
Stefan shrugged. "We can try."
"Are you sure?" Elena was still trying to wrap her head around this. Stefan had never exactly voiced any interest in New York until he found out she had applied.
"More than anything thing else." He nodded with a bright smile. "If my wife wants to conquer New York who am I to deny her?"
She laughed throwing her arms around his neck. "Kiss me."
"Here?" He teased looking around like he was making sure no one was looking.
"Now." She demanded squeezing her arms around his neck tighter.
"Gladly Mrs. Salvatore." He grinned kissing her with all the passion he had. Stefan was happy they had decided to come and even happier knowing they had a plan for their future. He was making small steps with his wife and he couldn't be happier. They would be building a life together in the big city without the burden Mystic Falls followed them around with.
"Look out New York Mr. & Mrs. Stefan Salvatore will be taking you over come August." She said taking the university in again making Stefan smile like a fool before pulling her back in for another playful kiss.
"Lets go get you warm."
"Why Mr. Salvatore are you suggesting what I think you are?" She faked appalled.
"I was thinking a hot bath." He wiggled his eyebrows with a smirk. "Then maybe you could wear that teddy I bought you for Christmas."
"You are insatiable." She shook her head laughing.
"I believe they call it the honeymoon phase but if my wife doesn't wanna get naked with me then I guess I'll go home." He pointed out as he turned to walk away but Elena was quick to jump on his back biting his neck. "Mad woman." He laughed looking at her straining his neck.
"Your mad woman." She said kissing him quickly.
"All mine." He agreed.
The next week Stefan and Elena were pulling up to the front of the school. This was the day Elena had been dreading. She could already see the crowd of students staring at them as they pulled up in her brand new mustang. Elena did not want to drive it knowing it would draw attention to them, but Stefan insisted and Lexi was happy in the backseat soaking up the awesomeness of the car.
"They are staring." Elena mumbled feeling uneasy suddenly.
Stefan turned the car off turning to face his wife. "Hey." He said cupping her chin in his hand for her to look at him. "I'm right here." He promised. "Whatever they say means nothing. I'm here. You know the truth. I love you." Stefan hated she was feeling the anxiety from this.
"I hate gossip." She said sadly.
"I'll kick their asses." Lexi shrugged texting away on her phone to Bonnie and Caroline to be on best friend duty. "You're a Salvatore now."
"We kick asses." Stefan smirked as Elena giggled at the two.
"You aren't kicking anyone's ass today." Elena said sternly but with a playful smile.
"There's the smile I love." Stefan said crashing his lips to her. He needed to distract her for a minute.
"Get a room." Lexi groaned. Stefan pulled away kissing her softly once more.
"You have no idea how incredibly happy I am to be able to hold my wife's hand today as we walk the halls." Stefan said.
"People are gonna assume I'm pregnant." Elena rolled her eyes at the absurd rumor.
"I'd be surprised if you weren't." He winked referring to their uninterrupted New York trip.
Elena slapped his shoulder. "God don't say things like that Stefan. I am not ready to be a mother."
"You and me both sista." Lexi laughed as she exited the car. "Come on time to face the music Mrs. Salvatore."
Stefan got out walking around to open her door. She clasped her hand in his as they walked with their heads held high into the school. The whispers started on full force. Stefan held her hand a little tighter to assure her it was going to be okay. Lexi walked on the other side of her not giving anyone the chance to approach them. She wouldn't stand for someone disrespecting the two. Elena was thankful for the menacing looks Lexi was giving to the student population. Arriving at their lockers Bonnie and Caroline were waiting. They had done some damage control already with a few students who thought it would be fun to joke about Elena's scandal with Stefan.
"Morning lovebirds." Caroline smiled hugging Elena.
"How was New York?" Bonnie decided to act like everything was normal to keep Elena from thinking about her current situation.
"Beautiful." Elena said remembering their trip there. "Stefan and I explored."
"Each other?" Tyler said walking up slapping Stefan on the back like he was proud.
Elena tried not to blush but Tyler was right. When they weren't exploring the city they explored each other. It was nice reconnecting. After the trip she felt closer to Stefan in way if that was even possible.
"What about the school?" Caroline changed subjects throwing Tyler a disapproving look.
"We are moving in August." Stefan said not giving Elena a chance to dance around the subject. Elena was still apprehensive about it but Stefan wasn't letting her back out of it.
"Oh my gosh crangrats!" Bonnie squealed hugging Elena and Stefan. "This will be perfect for you two."
"Trouble later." Elena whispered into Stefan's ear.
"Do I get a spanking?" He smirked wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "Because I might like it." He kissed her shoulder.
"You're a mess." She smiled. Even though she knew people were probably staring and coming up with their own scenarios of them she couldn't deny the happiness she felt. Being with Stefan felt amazing. He made her forget all the bad things in her life.
"Your mess." He said squeezing her to him.
"Mine." She confirmed when the bell rang. Stefan walked her to class reluctantly letting her go. He hated that this semester they had a few less classes together, but he could handle it. A few hours without her wouldn't hurt him. But Elena had come accustomed to her having Stefan by her side 24/7 again. Being without him and having to take on her classmates alone made her uneasy.
"I promised to watch over you." Lexi winked at Elena as she took a seat beside her. "Stefan's orders."
"Of course." Elena laughed happy to have at least Lexi with her. It seemed Caroline and Bonnie had a class with Stefan and Elena was slightly jealous. Elena ignored the stares the best she could. No one had said anything to her yet and that she was thankful. The day was going smoothly so far.
By the time fourth period rolled around Matt was strolling into her class. Their eyes locked awkwardly as he took her in. The holidays had been long avoiding all his friends not wanting to risk seeing her. Elena had not seen him since he slammed the door in her face. She was thankful for the time apart while she could focus on Stefan. There was pain behind his eyes as he stared at her. The room was watching the interaction with interest. Elena knew they would be talking amongst themselves in the halls after this. She hated that she had caused him so much heartache. He just didn't understand and she desperately wanted him to know the truth about Stefan. She didn't want Matt to hold onto the anger and pain she could feel rolling off of him. His eyes travelled over her admiring her simply beauty and his eyes locked on the necklace around her neck. It was obvious a gift from Stefan. He was the only guy in high school who could afford diamonds like that. Anger flashed across Matt's face as he walked past taking his seat. Elena sadly took her book out ready to begin class. The teach came in and began calling off roll and without missing a beat Elena answered to the last name Salvatore. She cringed when she heard Matt's comment about her being a cheater. She understood he was hurt.
"Mr. Donavan that kind of language will not be tolerated in my class." the teacher said firmly. She had been informed of the possibility of the drama to ensue from Elena's new relationship status, but she trusted Matt and Elena to be civil. They were such good kids and she would hate for this to cause either one of them any trouble.
"I'm sure you'd feel the same way if your boyfriend got married to his ex." Matt said causing the class to gasp. "What's a guy to do to get a faithful girl who doesn't sleep but with not one but two guys at the same time claiming to love you?"
Elena turned to stare at him not believing he was calling her out like this. "Matt." She said disappointed that he had stooped so low to hurt her.
"Don't Matt me. Stefan has screwed you and half the girls in this room all in one weekend." He scoffed at her.
"Donavan detention." The teacher said through gritted teeth. This was too much for her to be handling on the first day back. Matt was usually such a sweet kid but this was not him. Matt shook his head and didn't say another word the rest of the class.
As soon as the bell rang Elena darted from the classroom and before she could make it down the hall Stefan was there with an unreadable expression on his face. His eyes softened when she approached him. He wasted no time in wrapping her in his arms soothingly. "Can we go home?" She asked.
"Yes just give me a minute." He cupped her face in his hands. "Is everything okay?"
"I just wanna go home." She whispered not wanting to be in the school anymore. This was a bad idea.
Stefan looked over her to see Matt staring at them. Stefan felt his breathing pick up as he looked at him. Matt was angry with them, Stefan understood his anger. He had once been in Matt's shoes. "Is it true Elena?" Stefan asked not looking down at her. He took Elena's silence as his answer. Someone had tweeted about Matt's rant and Stefan had heard from Bonnie in class what was going on. He thought someone was probably making it up to stir the pot, but Elena's distress let him know it was true. Matt had disrespected his wife in front of her peers. Stefan shook his head in anger and he marched over to the guy he once considered a friend.
"Stefan today's not the day." Matt said shaking his head at the angry Stefan in front of him.
"You have no right to speak to her in such a way." Stefan was seething. He couldn't believe Matt had put Elena in a whore category. Elena was anything but those girls he slept with. The were just there, they meant nothing to him.
Matt laughed loudly. "It's true. She seems to just make herself at home in anyone's bed these days. Hell I found her in Tyler's once." That was all it took for Stefan to lose it. He punched Matt sending him backwards until they were rolling on the ground. Stefan was on top of him repeatedly hitting him. He couldn't stop. All he could feel was rage for this guy who was talking so ill of Elena. Finally a hand grabbed him and he heard her terrified voice. It was enough to make him stop. He jumped up quickly to see the crowd he had drawn. Taking a look at Matt's bloody face he turned grabbing Elena's hand and dragging her off. He would be in trouble tomorrow that's for sure but right now all he cared about was getting Elena out of there.
Stefan was quiet the whole drive back home. There wasn't much he could say. He was afraid if he opened his mouth he would further upset Elena. Elena followed him into the house going to make him an icepack for his hand. Stefan went upstairs to his old room. He laid down on the bed he had left untouched since getting back together with Elena. A million thoughts were running through his head. All of them concerning the brown haired beauty walking into his room.
Elena came into the room to see Stefan laying there staring at the ceiling. He didn't acknowledge her at all as she came in and placed the icepack on his hand wrapping it tight with a towel. They sat in silence for what felt like hours before Stefan looked at her. He studied her face wondering what she was thinking. Was she angry with him? Was she angry with Matt? Did she think he was out of line for defending her like he did? Would she forgive him once again for causing a scene about their relationship.
"You know I'm sorry right." Stefan said sitting up and leaning against the headboard. Elena nodded at him trying to figure out what he was sorry for. Stefan closed his eyes trying to get the words out of his mind that Matt had said. "You're perfect." He said opening his eyes to look at her. "Every thing about you is perfect. I broke you when I lied to you. Today to hear such crass words about you reminded me that I'm the reason why someone is saying such ill things about you. I'm the reason why he's able to say that."
"Stefan he's hurt." She said trying to make him feel less guilty. "He doesn't understand right now what happened."
"Don't defend him Elena." Stefan said in a harsh tone. "I gave him a chance but he still won't shut his mouth."
"So beating him up is going to do it? Teach him a lesson?" Elena sighed shaking her head at him. "You can't take it back. We can't take back what we did and how we did it.
"I can't let him talk shit about you either!" Stefan's voice boomed. "I'm probably suspended from school right now."
"Then I will stay home with you." Elena said. "Stefan I know you are mad because you can't control his actions around me, but punching him every time he upsets you isn't going to get us anywhere."
"Those things he said about you were wrong." Stefan said cupping her face in his hand. "You are the most beautiful woman I know. I don't care who you were with. You've always been right here with me." He said taking her hand and placing it over his heart. "You've never left here."
Elena closed her eyes feeling like crying. They had been through hell and back and here he was still fighting for her. Trying to be the man she deserves. Elena closed the distance between them showing him how much she loved him with a kiss. "I never left." She confessed. "No matter where I went I was always with you."