Elena shifted in her sleep, her head resting lightly on Stefan's shoulder. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips, prompting Stefan to wonder what she was dreaming about. Elena sleeping was the one of the most precious things he had ever seen. She was so peaceful. Stefan felt himself falling even more in love with Elena.
Nik's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Stefan." He whispered over Elena's head.
"What?" Stefan looked at his friend.
"Have you discussed pacing with Elena yet?" Nik asked.
Stefan looked pointedly at Elena's head on his shoulder. "She's kinda out of it right now, Nik."
"Do it before we get to the hotel. I need to talk to her about what you two decide."
"Alright, but, shhhh! She's sleeping. I don't want you to wake her up."
Nik rolled his eyes before turning back to his iPad. Stefan sighed, glancing around the airplane. Several heads whipped back around as girls attempted to hide their staring. Some girls did not avert their gazes and Stefan met Alana's burning glare. She was up three rows on the opposite side of the plane. Stefan elbowed Nik, nodding towards the girl. Nik glanced at Alana before he rolled his eyes and returned to his reading.
Stefan stroked Elena's hair before laying a gentle kiss on her head. Alana's eyes bore into him. Stefan stuck his tongue out at her before resting his head on Elena's. He closed his eyes, hoping to catch a quick nap before they landed in Arizona.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please return your seats to the upright position, close your tray tables, and fasten your seatbelts we are about to land in Tucson." The voice on the overhead speaker woke Stefan from his nap. He lifted his head off of Elena's, smoothing her hair back down from the mess he had created in sleep.
"Nice of you to wake up, Mate." Nik leaned closer to Stefan, whispering in his ear. "Alana stared at you for a good twenty minutes after you fell asleep. I think she's still angry about you tossing her unceremoniously into the pool."
Stefan rolled his eyes. "She can get over it. You don't talk to Elena like that. You don't talk to people like that. Someone needed to teach her that lesson."
Nik chuckled. "I agree and it was bloody well amusing to watch." They were jostled around as the plane hit the runway. Elena stirred on Stefan's shoulder but did not wake up. "Best wake her up, Mate. We will be disembarking soon."
"Good point." Stefan's eyes fell on Elena's sleeping face. She looked so peaceful that it almost pained him to wake her. He reached out, stroking her cheek lightly with his fingertips. "Elena." He whispered, lightly kissing her forehead. "Wake up, Baby. We're here."
She groaned. "Stefan, I'm so tired. I don't wanna."
Stefan smiled at her childish reply. "Lena, Love, you have to. I can't carry you off the plane."
"Why not?"
Her question surprised him. Stefan opened his mouth only to find that he had no response. "Because..." He tried, but no valid reason presented itself to his mind.
Elena cracked open an eye. "Please." Her bottom lip began to jut out.
Stefan was gone. "Of course. Anything for you."
She smiled, closing her eye again. "You're the best, Stef. I love you."
Stefan kissed her nose. "I love you too, Lena."
"Whipped." Kol coughed from behind them, earning himself a cuff on the ear from Nik. "Ow."
"You had it coming, Brother." Nik rose from his seat as the rest of the passengers began to collect bags. "Here ya go, Mate." He set Elena's swim bag on his vacated seat before pulling his own bag down. "Need any help?" He asked.
"Actually, yeah. Can you carry my messenger bag? I don't have enough hands for everything."
Nik nodded. "No problem." Stefan passed his bag to Nik.
Elena's voice caught his attention. "Stefan, my purse is under the seat. Can you get it?"
Stefan bent to retrieve her bag. He set the bag in her lap as he stood, slinging her swim bag over his shoulder. "Alright, Lena. Up you go." He wrapped an arm around her back before reaching under her knees before hoisting her into his arms. Her arms wound around his neck as he settled her weight in his arms. Carefully he maneuvered them into the aisle.
His actions were met by several "awes" as he held Elena. He shifted her slightly in his arms, allowing her head to rest on his chest, just above his heart. "Comfortable?" He asked. She nodded, eyes still closed. "Good." He kissed her temple as he slowly walked towards the plane doors. Stefan passed through the doors of plane and into the tunnel. He walked with Nik to the gate, quietly discussing the schedule for the week.
Stefan stopped once they had exited the gate. "Elena, baby, open your eyes." He whispered into her ear.
"Why?" She groaned out.
"Trust me."
Elena opened her eyes, looking up into Stefan's face. "What is it?" Stefan said nothing, only nodded towards two people standing in front of them. Elena turned her head. She gasped. "Jer? Bonnie?" She began to wiggle, attempting to get out of Stefan's arms. He released her legs, allowing her feet to fall on the floor. Judging her stable, he let go of her upper body. Elena ran to her brother and friend, embracing the two.
"I missed you guys so much. What are you doing here?"
"Well, Stefan called us. He said that you guys had a meet here." Jeremy replied, running a hand through his hair.
"He said that it would mean a lot to you if we came." Bonnie finished for Jeremy. Elena nodded, unable to speak. "Elena, is that him?" Bonnie whispered as she pointed at Stefan.
"Yeah." Elena choked out, overcome with emotion.
"He's hot. Caroline wasn't exaggerating when she said Stefan looks like a god." They giggled. "Definitely a keeper." Jeremy shifted uncomfortably.
"He is. I want you guys to meet him." Elena grabbed Jeremy's hand before linking arms with Bonnie. "Stefan." She called as she dragged Jeremy and Bonnie over to where Stefan stood with Kol and Nik.
"Elena." He smiled at her as she released her friend and brother to wrap her arms around his waist, leaning into him. His arms wound around her waist, holding her tightly.
"Stefan, this is my brother Jeremy and my best friend Bonnie. Guys, this is Stefan." Elena introduced them.
Jeremy extended his hand to Stefan. Stefan took it, shaking. "Nice to meet you, Stefan."
"It's nice to meet you too, Jeremy. Elena has told me so much about you."
Jeremy groaned. "I really hope she didn't. I wish I could erases fifteen to seventeen." Elena and Bonnie laughed at Jeremy.
Stefan released Jeremy's hand, turning his attention to Bonnie. "And you must be the famous Bonnie. Caroline and Elena talk about you nonstop."
Bonnie blushed. "That's me."
Stefan let go of Elena to pull Bonnie into a hug. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Bonnie Bennett." He released her, unconsciously reaching for Elena as she spoke. He pulled her back into his chest, resting his chin on her head.
"I can't believe you guys are here. I thought you would have gone somewhere for Thanksgiving break."
"Well, I was going to take Bonnie to Mexico but..." Elena's eyes widened. "Kidding." Jeremy chuckled. "We were going to fly out to surprise you and Caroline but then Stefan called so we stayed here. It's been a while since we got to watch you swim."
Elena beamed. "I am so happy right now." She turned in Stefan's arms, reaching a hand up to caress his cheek. "Thank you, Stefan."
"You're welcome, Elena." He kissed her on the forehead before pulling her in for a hug.
"Oh my god, you guys are adorable." Bonnie exclaimed.
Elena hid her face in Stefan's chest, embarrassed. "Yeah, she's pretty cute, isn't she?" Stefan said, rubbing Elena's back.
"Elena, who is that girl staring at us like she is going to kill someone?" Bonnie asked, motioning over Stefan's shoulder.
Elena peaked under Stefan's arm. "Ugh." She groaned. "That's Alana. Long story."
"Just ignore her." Nik spoke for the first time. He turned around, glaring at Alana. She quickly averted her gaze, striking up a conversation with Vicki. He turned back to the group. "She's not exactly a fan of Stefan and Elena."
Kol snorted, "More like hates their relationship with all her being."
"Oh." Was all Bonnie said, assessing this new information.
Nik changed the subject. "Stefan, do you know what time it is?"
Stefan pulled his phone out of his pocket. "11:40 local time, why?"
"Because Caroline's flight lands at 11:45."
Elena's head whipped towards Nik as she and Bonnie said in unison, "Caroline's flight?"
Nik laughed. "I couldn't leave her home when all you lot were going to be here."
"Nik you are the best." Elena smiled at him.
"I know, Love. I know." A collective chuckle ran through the group.
"I'm starving." Jeremy said.
"I'm kinda hungry too." Elena glanced at Stefan.
Nik waved them off. "Go, catch up. Just make sure you're at the hotel by 5:30 for team dinner."
The Lady Cavaliers swam the best meet in University of Virginia history, winning the points race of the meet and the majority of the events. Elena won all of her events with Stefan dutifully coaching from the side of the pool. He counted for her during the 800 free, pacing her to a victory of over two seconds. Stefan, Nik, and Kol were just as ecstatic as the rest of the team when it was announced that Elena had set a new record for the season. Elena was speechless, celebrating her victory with a running jump into Stefan's arms and passionate kiss right on the pool deck.
The noise in the pool was immense as Elena accepted her medal on the starting blocks, but none were louder than Bonnie, Caroline, and Jeremy. They stood on their seats in the stands, screaming and clapping as Elena waved to the crowd.
Elena dragged Stefan onto the block with her to accept her award for setting a record in the 800. She forced him to wave with her, insisting that her feat would have been impossible without his help.
The joy they shared at their victory was so profound neither could bear to be separated for more than a minute the rest of the night.
A/N: Sorry this took so long and that it is so short! This last week has been crazy as I get ready for school to start. I promise to keep working on this but I know Senior Year is going to knock me on my ass so please be patient, I will not abandon this story.