A/N: For all of you wondering about Damon, he's in this update so don't worry. I am so sorry it has been so long since I updated. This past week was super crazy and super busy. I had Nationals and then I was recovering and I had summer reading. Hopefully I won't ever go this long without writing again.
Nik glared around the pool as Stefan pulled Elena towards the door. "Anyone who harasses Stefan or Elena will be punished, mark my words." Nobody spoke, but a wave of nodding spread through the crowd.
Outside the pool, Stefan stopped walking. "Elena?" She sniffed, looking up at him. "Remember when I threw you in, back when we first started dating?" She nodded. "Do you remember what I said?"
"That it was because you were flirting with me."
He nodded. "Do you remember the rest?" She shook her head. "If someone pisses me off majorly they go in fully dressed." Elena cracked a smile, causing Stefan to smile. His plan was working.
"I hope she had her phone her pocket." Elena said.
Stefan laughed. "Let's pray." Elena laughed as Stefan brought his hands together in mock prayer. "I love you, Elena. You know that none of what she said is true, right?" Elena nodded. "Good. Cause I don't want you thinking you are anything less than enough." He kissed her forehead. "Let's go home."
Elena felt light kisses along her forehead. "Lena, wake up."
She slowly opened her eyes. "What time is it?"
"Early, come on. Get dressed. I want to take you somewhere." Elena opened her mouth but Stefan cut her off before she could speak. "It's a surprise."
Elena looked out the window of Stefan's vintage Porsche. The New York City loomed on the horizon. "Stefan, what are we doing here?"
"Well, tis Thanksgiving break and you have the day off of practice. I decided it was time we had some fun, especially after last night."
"You really are the best boyfriend ever, you know that?"
"I try. Also, Damon wants to meet you." He paused, glancing over at her. "Do you mind if we catch up with them for lunch?"
Elena shook her head. "I don't mind at all. He's married right? With a kid?"
"Yeah, his wife's name is Katherine. And their daughter's name is Nadia." He smiled. "You're gonna love Nadia, she is the sweetest little thing. No idea how that happened."
"Do you not like your brother and Katherine?"
"No, I love them. They are just a bit selfish sometimes. But, they're harmless. Anyway, can you text Damon on my phone and let him know that we can do lunch?"
Elena picked his phone up out of the cup holder as Stefan shifted to accommodate for traffic. "What's your password?"
"9-1-14" Elena looked at him. "What?"
"That's the day we met." He smiled shyly at her. "God, I love you."
"Haha, I love you too. Just scan your thumb in while it's open so you don't have to mess with it again."
"Okay. Texting Damon." She set the phone down once the message was sent. Moments later it dinged. "He wants to know when and where."
"Tell him when ever is best for him, we are going to explore the city so we are flexible."
Elena's thumbs flew over the screen as she typed. "Done."
"Great. So, this trip is about you. What do you want to do? I'm easy as long as I get to be with you."
"Can we go shopping?" Excitement colored Elena's voice as she spoke.
Stefan mock groaned. "Do we have to? I'm just kidding, of course we can. I will even carry your bags for you."
"Yay! Thanks, Stef. You're the bomb!"
Stefan scoffed. "The bomb, what are you, twelve?"
Elena stuck her tongue out at him. "I don't think twelve year olds can do what I did to you in the shower yesterday so..." She trailed off, her hand traveling slowly up Stefan's inner thigh.
Stefan sucked his breath in as her hand came dangerously close to his crotch. "No, they can't. Point taken."
Stefan and Elena were cracking up as they left their latest store. Several bags dangled from Stefan's hands while Elena also carried some bags. "Thank you for this, Stefan. I feel so much better now. Yesterday was... well you were there. It was rough. Thank you for knowing what I needed."
"Of course, Elena. I'm just doing what I think I am supposed to. Buying you all of this stuff –"
"You really did not have to pay for all of this." Elena cut in.
"Shush, I'm an Olympic Gold Medalist, I have more money than I know what to do with. Anyway, buying you all this stuff comes with some conditions."
"Oh, it does now?" Elena raised a brow at him.
He nodded. "Yes, those Jolyns I bought you, you better be wearing those at practice."
Elena laughed. "I think that can be arranged. Next?"
He hefted the Victoria Secret bag as he smirked at her.
"I promise you those will be used. Anything else."
"Nope. I just want my girlfriend to enjoy the things I buy for her." He kissed her temple. Stefan's phone buzzed. "Damon got us a table at some fancy Italian restaurant around the corner. He is there right now."
"Okay, let's go."
"You ready for this?" Stefan asked.
"Yes and no. I want to meet your family, but I'm scared they won't like me."
"They are going to love you. Don't worry." Stefan pulled Elena tighter against him, pecking her head. "There isn't anything not to love."
Stefan spotted Damon and his family situated at a table outside as he and Elena approached the restaurant. Damon waved them over when he spotted Stefan.
"You must be Elena." Damon stood as they approached.
"I am. So, you're Damon." She smiled at him. Damon kissed her hand. Elena giggled.
"Damon, mine." His tone was playful as he mock-glared at his brother.
"Brother, I –"
Damon was interrupted by a trim, dark haired woman sitting in the chair next to Damon's empty chair. "Boys. Already? You're going to scare poor Elena away." She stood, lightly shoving her husband to the side. "It's lovely to finally meet you, Elena. Stefan has told me so much about you. I am Katherine." She hugged Elena.
"It's wonderful to meet you as well. And don't worry, nothing can scare me away from Stefan." She smiled at Stefan. He squeezed her hand as he returned her smile.
Katherine smiled. "Good, I'm glad Stefan has finally found someone worthy."
"Katherine." Stefan warned.
She raised her hands in surrender. "It was a compliment."
Stefan was interrupted before he could respond by a high-pitched voice. "Uncle Stefan, I haven't gotten my hug yet!"
He turned his attention to the small girl in a pink dress with olive skin and dark hair cascading down her back, standing on the chair next to him. "I'm sorry, Nadia. Will you ever forgive me for my folly?" He knelt before her, head bowed in mock veneration.
She giggled. "Of course. Can I have my hug now?"
Stefan stood. "You bet, Kiddo." He picked her up, squeezing her tightly as he swung her pack and forth. "Mmmh. I missed you, Nadia." He kissed her head before setting her back down.
"I missed you too, Uncle Stefan. When are we going to go swimming again?"
Stefan smiled. "Soon, I promise. Nadia, I want you to meet Elena." He turned towards Elena, gently tugging her closer. "She is my girlfriend."
Nadia scrunched up her nose as she studied Elena. Suddenly, Elena was nervous. What if she doesn't like me? Is that a deal breaker for Stefan? Oh, god. I'm scared of a six-year-old. Nadia leaned close to Stefan as she motioned him closer. He bent his head to her level as she cupped her hand around her ear. "She's really pretty." She whispered loudly. Elena blushed.
"I know." Stefan whispered back.
"Is she nice?" Nadia asked.
"Very." Stefan replied. "I love her very much, Nadia. I hope you do to."
"Does she make you happy?" Nadia asked. Elena was surprised at the question. This kid was only six.
"More than I can say." Elena's heart melted at both Stefan's words and his interactions with his niece.
Nadia straightened up, addressing Elena. "Good. Then I like you. I'm Nadia." She extended her hand.
Elena accepted her small hand. "Nice to meet you, I'm Elena." She released Nadia's hand. "I like your dress. It's very pretty."
Nadia's face lit up. "Really? Uncle Stefan bought it for me for my birthday. He said since I was six and getting so big I had to have a big girl dress." She twirled, the pink polka dot skirt billowing. "I love it."
Elena looked at Stefan as he chuckled. "Well, he was right. It is a beautiful big girl dress."
Damon interrupted their conversation. "Not to interrupt but I'm kinda hungry." Katherine slapped her husband. "Ouch! They don't have to stop talking, just sit down."
They five of them sat, Nadia opting to settle in Stefan's lap rather than her own chair. Elena couldn't help but swoon at the adorable picture of Stefan and Nadia. Stefan picked up his menu and handed it to Nadia. She opened it up before twisting to look up at him. "What are we having, Uncle Stefan?"
"I'm not sure. Let's have a look." They began to scan the menu, Stefan occasionally reading aloud options he thought Nadia would like.
"So, Elena, what are you studying?" Elena snapped her attention back to the conversation at hand.
"I'm majoring in English Literature with a minor in Journalism." She brushed some of her hair behind her ear, attempting to dispel some of her nervous energy.
Damon nodded. "That's very interesting. What do you plan to do with your degree?"
"I'm not 100% sure yet. I know I want to write a book one day, but part of me wants to teach. The Olympic Trials are next year and my parents left me enough money that I can get by just swimming after I graduate. I would love to make a career out of swimming and write as I please. I hope that I would make enough money to support myself after swimming and maybe open a literacy center for underprivileged kids. That would be ideal."
Katherine was impressed. "Wow. That is ambitious. I am very impressed. Stefan." He didn't respond, busy reading with Nadia. She kicked him under the table.
His head jerked up. "What?"
"I like Elena more and more. Are you listening?"
Stefan picked Elena's hand up off the table, laying a light kiss on each of her fingers. "No, but I know the plan." He kissed Elena's cheek. "And I am very proud of her for it."
Elena blushed. "Stefan helped me figure it all out, actually." She nodded, attempting to shift the Katherine's full attention off of herself.
"Really?" Damon asked. Stefan shrugged.
"He's being modest. I had all these jumbled ideas in my head and he helped me put it all together. I knew I wanted to write, but I wanted to try swimming professionally. I wasn't sure what to do and he told me that I would forever regret it if I didn't try to make swimming. Stefan helped me decide how I'm going to manage everything next year and the literacy center was something he suggested."
Damon was incredulous. "You came up with a literacy center?"
"Don't sound so surprised, Damon. It seemed like something Elena would love to do." He turned towards her, reaching up to stroke her cheek. Her hand covered his as they shared a tender moment. Green eyes melted into brown as their gazes met.
Nadia's voice sliced the moment. "Uncle Stefan, what do you think of that one fish thing and salad."
Stefan tore his eyes from Elena, returning his attention to his niece. "You mean the Salmon Pecan Salad?" Nadia nodded. "Do you want that because you want it or because you know that I want it?"
"Don't be silly, Uncle Stefan. You always want me to try new things, and we had this last time. I liked it a lot." She pointed at the picture on the menu. "It was yummy."
"Alright, Salmon Salad it is." He shut their menu, tossing it onto the table as he kissed her head. "So, Miss. Nadia, how is school?"
"I really like your family." Elena said, staring out at the lights of New York City as they walked along the moonlit street.
"I'm glad." Stefan said. "For the record, they like you too." He said, turning towards her slightly as he spoke.
"Damon is really interesting. He's fun to talk to. And Katherine, she's so pretty and – "
"You're prettier." Stefan interjected, tugging Elena to his chest as they stopped walking.
"Stefan."
"You are. This is not up for debate." He kissed her on the nose. "You were saying."
Elena rolled her eyes at his antics. "And she seems really smart. Like witty. I feel like she would always have a snappy comeback."
Stefan chuckled. "You have no idea."
Elena laughed. "Thank you for today, Stefan. It was perfect. It helped me remember that all we can do is be ready for the good, so when it comes, we invite it in. Because we need it. I need it. It's okay to be upset about my parents and miss them, but I was drowning before." She looked up at him. "I was drowning in sadness and heartbreak. I was lost and confused. I felt so lonely." Stefan pulled Elena tighter to him as he listened to her. "Life is good again, I can see that reminded me that I'm not alone anymore. I have you. Sometimes I still feel like I'm drowning but it's different. I know that you're with me and that it's going to be okay."
"Drowning never felt so good." Stefan murmured, repeating his words to Nik all those months ago. Elena nodded. "I feel the same." He kissed her. Slow and sweet. The kiss was tender, full of love and emotions they couldn't put into words. Stefan was the first to pull away. Elena immediately missed the pleasure of his lips on hers.
"I got you something." Stefan whispered against her lips.
"Stefan, you spent so much money on me today."
"I didn't buy this. I've had it for a while." He reached into his back pocket, pulling out a felt box. "It was my grandfather's. My dad had it made into a necklace for my mom." He opened the box to reveal a large blue pendant. A silver crest covered the face of the blue stone.
"Oh, Stefan. It's beautiful." Elena ran a finger over the silver.
"It's my family crest. A long time ago, there were two Salvatore brothers. They had these two matching rings. The rings are passed from father to son. My grandpa was an only child and so was dad so he got both rings. He wore one and had the other converted for my mom."
He picked the necklace up out of the box. "Damon was closer to my dad, so he got the ring. My mom and I were always inseparable so when she died my dad gave this to me. I've had this since I was 19 and I've never shown it to anyone. It was too personal. But I want you to have it."
Elena's eyes were filled with tears. "I would be honored to wear it, Stefan. Thank you." She moved her hair off of her neck as Stefan fastened the necklace around her neck. "How does it look?" Elena asked, fingering the necklace as it lay against her sternum.
"Perfect." He kissed the base of her neck. "You know, my mom would have loved you. Your spunk and your fire, but also your kindness."
Elena turned to face Stefan, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I wish I could have met her. She sounds like an amazing woman."
Stefan nodded. "She was."
"I love you so much, Stefan. I am so thankful to have you in my life." The tears escaped as Elena spoke.
Stefan kissed her forehead before wiping her tears with his thumbs. "I love you too. And, let me assure you, being in your life is the greatest privilege I have ever know." He was tearing up now. "One day, I'm gonna marry you, Elena Gilbert."
Elena kissed Stefan. She pulled back just enough to speak, her lips brushing his as she spoke. "Good, because one day I'm gonna marry you, Stefan Salvatore."
A/N: Sorry for the weird iPhone scene – I really think it would be super cute if a boy put your finger in his phone so you can always use it.
Do you like what I did with Stefan's daylight ring? I thought I would change it up a bit and give it a unique back-story. Tweet me your thoughts of put them in your review.