He could feel her breath steadying down and knew what was coming but he was not ready to let her go yet, so he just squeezed her closer to him and let himself enjoy the feel of her against him.

She was finally calming down, as much as she hated giving into him, she knew she needed to let go and to let herself feel all these emotions after so many years of tucking them away. But, she now she had to get back to reality. There was a reason she was here, to make sure he stays out of jail. She had to focus on that and it will all be ok. She mustered all the strength she had and pushed herself out of his hands. She looked up at his face and couldn't help her fingers drying out the tears that had fallen on his face. She was caught in that moment of pure bliss. Then she heard that voice in her head again. He hurt you… you live in New York.. She let her hand down

"Don't say anything Damon please. Not now. I know we have a lot to talk about and we will but right now I can't do this. We need to focus on saving you. So let's get in the car and go home "

She had said home. He couldn't believe it. That apartment was still home. It may have been a slip of tongue but still it was something. He was not going to give up easily. He didn't exactly know what he wanted , after all she was better off without him before and she still is now. Bu the couldn't help himself from wondering what would have been ? They were really happy once no matter how much they fought.

December 24th, 2014

It was Christmas eve. Here he was in the car with the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, going to meet her family. He still couldn't believe himself, Damon Salvatore, the big asshole was in a monogamous relationship going to meet his girlfriend's family. Yep he was definitely whipped. But he couldn't help but repeat Stefan's words in his mind "you're going to break her Damon. You don't know how to love and you just chose her because I saw her first". He did break everything around him, his relationship with his father, his brother and he barely had any friends. But he was not going to break her. He will do anything in his power to keep her safe. He was brought back from his thoughts as he heard her speak.

"What are you daydreaming about? You haven't said anything in the last 20 minutes"

You, he thought. But he couldn't tell her that so he decided to tease her instead" Oh I don't know. How amazing and hot I am. And how your family is just going to love your sexy boyfriend" He winked at her but he could see her expression change; something was bothering her.

"Sure. You just can't help your arrogant personality. Is that what you say to all the women to get them into your bed? You shouldn't have come if you didn't want to. You can stop pretending you want to impress my family"

He was confused about what happened here. "Wow wow wow Elena.. What got into you? I do want to be here"

"Yea , well where were you yesterday? You told me you were with Stefan and then I saw Stefan and he hadn't seen you all day. Are you already bored?" She was crying now and he could see the pain in her eyes. He had lied to her. He wanted to surprise her with the best gift ever so he had told her he was with Stefan so he can go pick it up. How could she even think he was interested in anyone but her.

"Babe, I was not with anyone else nor do I care about anyone else"

"But you did lie to me. You broke my trust. Stop the car"

"What"

"Stop the car now and let me out, we still need 5 minutes. I can walk. I don't want to hear your excuses. Let me out of the car now"

He slowed down the car, he needed to talk to her and get some sense into her. But before he could say anything, she was out of the car and was walking towards the town.

God was she stubborn. He got out of his car, slamming the door and screamed at her.

"You are soo infuriating. It was supposed to be a surprise"

She stopped in her track but didn't turn around. So he kept talking.

"Now you listen to me. Turn around and look at me. I'm speaking to you"

She turned around slowly tears in her eyes but stayed in place waiting for him to explain.

"You stupid woman. I 've been with you all the time for the last 3 months. I don't want any other woman. I just want you. I wanted to get you the perfect gift and surprise you with it. This is where I was. I couldn't find anything that expressed how much I love you." He was stunned at that moment that those words had left his mouth. He really did love her, they just hadn't discussed it yet.

He barely had time to register what happened next, her body slammed with his and she was kissing him with all she had. He could barely breath. Then she let him go and looked in his eyes. "You love me?" She looked so vulnerable so tiny in that moment and he just wanted to be the one to protect her forever. "Yes I love you Elena. You just got under my skin and .."

He was interrupted by her kisses again. They were full on making out against his car 5 minutes away from her town, but he couldn't care less. He could feel her pulling away and started protesting when she said those 3 words he wanted to hear more than anything. "I love you ,too, by the way. I promised myself to have a free fun first year at college but I met you and you consumed me. I couldn't help it. I just fell in love with you and it's best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you Damon."

He couldn't help but smile. She loved him. "Say it again" He needed to hear her say it.

"I love you. I love you sooo much even when you're being an ass"

And like that they were back to teasing each other and laughing.

"Get in the car .Now that you love me, I have to get the rest of the Gilberts in line,too."

She laughed and went around the car to get in her seat. "You're such a caveman"

He was back in the present. He could hear her voice "Damon.. Damon.." She was waving her hand in front of his face trying to pull him back to the present.

"Sorry… I was just pulled back to the days where things were a lot easier." He was staring into her eyes and he needed to let it out. "Look, we need to talk. I owe you an apology, an explanation. I just please." He cupped her face in his hands and waited for an answer.

She couldn't do this now so she had to use the Liam card. It was the only way to make him step back. She may be strong but him looking at her like that was not really helping. "Look Damon, I have a boyfriend and a life back in New York. You can't just touch me and say things like that. Please, this can't.."

She saw the flash of hurt in his eyes for a second and expected him to let go of her face. But somehow, he was more determined than ever. "So, you may have a life in New York and have a boyfriend. But I bet his name is not the one on your body. Look me in the eyes and tell me I mean nothing to you. Tell me you don't feel something for me and I will let this go"

She couldn't breathe. He was too close to her and she needed space from him. "Damon, please this does not help us now. We will talk. I promise but right now, let's just go home to the others"

"I need to know. I will leave it all alone, just answer me. Am I going crazy or are you feeling this,too?"

She lost it in that moment, throwing his hands away "Look what do you want me to say? That I feel something for you? You were my fiancé. I will always feel something for you. There I said it. Can we please go now?"

It wasn't exactly what he wanted to hear but it was good enough for now. She needed space, she was always like that. He needed to push her enough but not too much. So he nodded her way and they move towards the car and headed home..

The car ride was quiet, no one really having anything to say. Once they got to Damon's place, Elena was hit by all kind of memories. This keeps getting harder but she had to do this. It was only a few days, she can do this.