Jessa was amazed by how fast the weeks and months flew past. It seemed like Damon's renovations and redecoration had just begun when they were already completed. Then before she could contemplate it, Bonnie, Caroline, and herself were at the final fittings for their dresses. Liz had bowed out of the wedding party, declaring she looked too old to take part. Which, try as she might, Jessa couldn't get her to change her mind.

The groomsmen had it easier. Suits were simpler. Damon, Ric, and Tyler were done. For all she knew they were somewhere getting drunk or throwing knives. She tried very hard not to consider what they were getting into. It made her days easier and less mentally scarring.

The dresses looked amazing. Bonnie was wearing the burnt orange crushed velvet. With her coloring, and the way the dress was cut, it just looked amazing. Caroline looked just as wonderful in the dark red version. As for Jessa, they were still trying to put into words how she looked. The dress was an off white crushed velvet, with a sweetheart neckline and draped back. The dress hugged her body until it flared from the knee into a light trailing train. It was perfect for her autumn themed outdoor wedding.

The wedding itself was being held at around two hours before dusk. The leaves had cooperated and were a riot of colors. The lawn was impeccable, thanks to Henry. Chairs were set up with roses and chrysanthemums the colors staying red, orange, yellow, and green. Browns were also used. Natural colors to keep with the outdoors being used as the venue. Later, after the vows, the party would move inside, where the reception would be held in their newly renovated and redecorated home.

Her mother was going to freak out. Jessa had insisted that her parents stay at a bed and breakfast in town, saying that the house would be under construction for the wedding and party. That was partially true. The other reason was because Jessa and Caroline had decided that while the wedding itself was autumn themed, the reception was going to be more playful. As in Halloween playful.

They had large galvanized steel tubs filled with water and apples for bobbing for apples, pumpkin carving tables, face painting for adults or children, there were drinks, finger foods, some of which looked like fingers, and on and on. Her mother was going to be less than impressed, but this was something that she and Damon would agree was fun. And it suited them. Everyone was instructed, including her parents to bring spare clothes, some costumes. And just in case some missed the memo, Jessa had extras in the spare bedroom downstairs.

Of course, they also had the regular wedding traditions. Her garter was in place. Caroline and Bonnie were vigilant with the something borrowed, something blue. Their cake was beautiful and her bouquet was ready to be tossed.

The only thing that could give her the slightest pause was Stefan's absence. She felt guilty, even though it wasn't technically her fault. Both Bonnie and Caroline knew that she was feeling anxious and guessed the issue. They told her that Elena had made some pointed comments, but that personally they weren't sure what she should do. Finally she decided to ask Damon.

Twas the night before the wedding. Luckily with Jessa's affliction, they wouldn't have to put up with THAT wedding tradition.

Sighing, she turned to him in their bed. "Damon," she said, pulling him from the magazine he was thumbing through.

"What is it, babe?" He asked, looking over.

Looking into his clear blue eyes, she almost reconsidered. "Do you think we should invite Stefan?"

It was his turn to sigh. He'd thought about it, she realized. And it was bothering him too. "I don't know, Jessa." He pulled her to him, and rested his chin on her head. "I've thought about it, but I want our day to be perfect. I don't want waves. I don't want confrontation. If he comes, so does she."

She thought about what he was saying and understood. Stefan may try to be happy for them, but would Elena? She'd been so angry when Jessa wouldn't agree to her demands. Would she be able to sit through watching them move one step closer to getting what they wanted without acting out?

"I just don't want you to be without your family on our day, Damon." She said quietly. "I want you to have him there."

"Ah, baby. You're there. You're my family. Your dad is my family. Hell, even your mom is." He chuckled, kissing her hair. "Stefan made his choice, Jessa. I made mine. If he wants to be there, he knows he's welcome. We don't have to send an invite."

She smiled and turned her head to him for a kiss.

"I love you, Damon Salvatore." She said, kissing him again.

"And I you, Jessica Warren."

THE NEXT DAY~~~

Jessa was at their house as Damon was being spirited away by Ric and Tyler. He was trying to give her one last kiss, but Ric was pulling him by his jacket and Tyler was bemoaning that it was taking too long.

"Dammit, Ric, give me a second." He snarled, lurching out of his best friend's grip and pulling his bride to him for a scorching kiss. "I'll see you later this afternoon."

"You'll be at the altar? I'll be the one in white?" She said, hoping for flippancy. She mostly just couldn't wait. She was surrounded by vendors getting the house and grounds ready. They hadn't needed a stag party and bachelorette party. Mostly the group hung out and told stories about before Jessa had come back. If they'd hoped to make Jessa's hair raise, they'd been sadly mistaken. Instead, Jessa and Damon told stories of their youth and nearly made the others run scared.

Damon chuckled, and allowed the groomsmen to lead him away. He blew one last kiss to his bride. As he left, Bonnie and Caroline arrived. Her mother was not far behind. Her papa was meeting the men in town, hoping to make sure that they didn't do anything too ill advised like get her groom into the bourbon.

As Jessa's friends and mother prepared her for her wedding day, she watched the vendors put her vision for the wedding together. The chairs and flowers were the first to go up. Then came the candles and the aisle runner. The trees acted as a backdrop and as an altar, so the priest needed nothing there. Several hundred twinkle lights were added to the tree branches and trunks.

She barely noticed as Caroline applied her makeup. Bonnie was working miracles with her hair. Her mother was looking at the dress she'd picked, and she heard her intake of breath.

Opening her eyes, she looked at her mother in question. "It's beautiful, Jessa." She smiled and closed her eyes again, allowing Caroline to continue. The shoes that she'd picked were on the floor next to the dress, again kitten heels since she'd never really cared for high heels.

The florist carried up everyone's bouquets. And the photographer arrived in time to capture candid shots of the preparation of the bride. He took photos as everyone got ready, and assured Jessa that the men were ready and waiting. He also let her know that Damon looked nervous, but elated. She smiled, knowing that soon they'd be married and the nerves would be gone.

It took Bonnie, Caroline, and her mother to get the dress over her newly coiffed hair and perfect makeup. Once settled, she noticed that her mother had tears in her eyes. She gave her a brief hug, and noticed the time. Only a few more minutes to go. She looked to Caroline for confirmation as to whether the quartet ordered for her entrance music had arrived and received a nod. Settling carefully back down, she watched as her bridesmaids got prepared in record time, along with her mother. Her mother chose a dress of forest green, staying with the theme and it suited her.

"You're a beautiful bride, darling." Her mother said, smiling though happy tears. "He's going to cry you know?"

Jessa gave a small nod. "I thought he might." She smiled. "I probably will too."

"OK," Caroline announced, "It's time."

Jessa looked up, and saw that her two bridesmaids were ready. They looked beautiful as well. And sure enough, the clock showed that it was time to go.

"Are you ready, Jessa?" Bonnie asked, ever in tune with Jessa's feelings. "If you need another minute, we can wait."

"No," Jessa said, smiling brightly. "I've waited long enough for this day. Let's go!"

Down stairs, everything was coming together. She could hear the vendors working hard to get the traditional Halloween crafts and party games together. She also saw the food and drinks being arranged. Hoping her mother didn't notice any of the preparations, she kept moving.

Her papa was by the side exit, nearest the grounds where the wedding was occurring. He took one look at his daughter in her dress and his eyes welled up with tears. While she forewent the traditional veil, her hair was loose down her back, and the honey brown of it coupled with the length was enough. She was a vision. He offered her his arm as his wife stopped long enough to give them both a kiss.

Her bridesmaids smiled as they passed them to exit first. They could hear the strains of music from the quartet. Jessa waited quietly, her papa's silent strength beside her all she needed. Her hand on his arm, she waited until she heard her cue.

"It seems so strange to have to give you away so soon after finding you again," he whispered gently as they walked. "Damon is worthy of you. That alone allows me to do this, my darling girl."

Jessa couldn't answer, if she did she would find herself sobbing. Instead she sent him her love. Letting him know that she forgave him for leaving her. That she understood. That she loved him and that she would always love him.

She looked up and her view was taken by Damon. He blazed before her. While the groomsmen wore dark brown crushed velvet, he wore black on black. And he was all she could see. This was about him. Well, him and her. They were all that mattered today. Joining together as husband and wife, long overdue.

After meeting at the altar, her father gave her away, and then she remembered nothing past the "I dos". Everything blurred. It was simply Damon. The two of them. They really could have been on the moon. After the vows, the exchange of rings, and finally the kiss. They were presented as Mr. and Mrs. Damon Salvatore. And the amount of cheering startled her out of her bubble.

Wow so there really were other people around.

They walked back down the aisle to the house, and upstairs to their bedroom. While they thought about taking advantage of the fact that they were in their own bedroom, they realized that they didn't have enough time. Groaning, with humor, they changed into their "costumes".

Jessa was in fact Elmo. Not sexy Elmo, mind you, oh no. She chose to go as an actual Elmo. Fuzzy, furry, red, completely covered, except her face Elmo. Let's see how Damon feels about that Elmo.

When she turned around to see what he was dressed as she nearly wet herself. He was dressed as Big Bird. His face was uncovered too, but there he was huge and yellow. Feathery as he could be, but yes, he was a huge ass yellow bird.

"Dear God, can you read my mind now?" She asked, gasping for breath.

"No, but I can read the credit card statement." He replied shrugging. "I figured since you weren't going sexy, then I would too." He stuck out his tongue.

They started laughing and tried to figure out how to kiss with his Big Bird belly in the way. Finally she stood on their bed and leaned in. A quick smooch and down the stairs they went. Halfway down and she made a sobering realization.

"Damon," she said, stopping. "We're going to be cutting our wedding cake as Big Bird and Elmo."