Stefan winced as he banged a pan against the side of the stove. He waited, holding his breath as he prayed he had not woken Elena up. When he heard no sounds coming from their bedroom, he continued. Today was Elena's twenty-second birthday. Unfortunately for her, this year, February seventh just happened to fall on a Monday. To soften the blow, Stefan had decided to make her breakfast in bed, all of her favorites; waffles, scrambled eggs, sliced fruit, and his homemade sausage patties.
On the island, his phone buzzed. He scraped the eggs out of the pan, before sliding the plate onto the already full breakfast tray. He scooped up his phone on the way to the fridge to pour Elena a glass of juice. He read the text from Damon; Nadia wants to wish Elena happy birthday. Have her call later. He typed out a quick reply before tossing his phone on the couch and making his way back to their room.
Stefan nudged the door open with his shoulder. Elena was still asleep, undisturbed by his kitchen racket. He paused for a moment to take in the sight of his love. The past week had been hell for her at both practice and with school. The end of her senior year, and with it graduation, was fast approaching. Stefan knew Elena was beginning to panic about what she would do after graduation. She had worked so hard to earn her degree, and yet she wanted to go to the Olympics. Stefan had done his best to be supportive; after all, he had been in her shoes before. It was all he could do. He did his job as her coach and worked her as hard as he could without causing any damage, and at home, he worked damn hard to make sure Elena didn't have any added stress while she studied. Despite his efforts, Elena had grown increasingly irritable and tired.
All of these thoughts moved through Stefan's mind as her surveyed a sleeping Elena. Her face looked relaxed for the first time in weeks. There was no trace of stress across her brow, and her mouth curved into a soft smile. Her eyes flickered as she stirred slightly. Stefan moved to set the tray on her bedside table before he bent and kissed her head. "Morning."
Her eyes opened all the way. "Morning." She yawned out, stretching like a lithe cat. "Is that for me?" She asked.
"Well, most of it." He winked at her as he sat down on the edge of their bed. She sat up, sweeping her long hair out of her face as she yawned again.
"Thanks, Stefan. It looks delicious." She leaned in for a kiss before swiping a waffle off the breakfast tray. She took a bite while Stefan helped himself to some eggs and sausage. She moaned, causing Stefan to raise an eyebrow at her as he chewed on a mouthful of eggs. Elena swallowed before opening her mouth to explain. "I forgot just how good your waffles are. God, Stefan." She took another bite, nodding appreciatively.
Stefan chuckled as he cut up a sausage. "I'm glad you like them. Nothing but the best for my love, especially on her birthday."
Elena stopped chewing, eyes open wide. "What?" She dropped her half-eaten waffle on the tray and scrambled for her phone, yanking the cord from the wall in her haste.
"It's February 7th. Happy 22nd Birthday!" Stefan kissed Elena's bewildered face.
"That's impossible! How can it already be February 7th?" She checked her phone. The lock screen clearly read February 7th.
"You've been a bit preoccupied lately." Stefan commented as he popped a strawberry into his mouth.
Elena looked up from her phone, biting her lower lip. "I have been, haven't I." She set her phone down slowly. "I've been terrible lately." Stefan started to protest, but she cut him off. "We both know I have. Don't even try to defend me. I've been a bitch. And I'm so sorry. That's not fair to you. You haven't done anything wrong and I'm taking all of my stress and frustration out on you. I'm just so…" she scrubbed her face with her hands before dropping them down to the duvet cover. "This thesis assignment we just got seems like a mountain and the trials are in five months and I don't feel ready and I wasn't making the times last week for like anything, and my English professor –."
"Elena, breath." Stefan reached out for her hands. "I know. I live here. I can see all of this. And remember," he rubber her hands with his thumbs, "I've been through this. It's rough and it's stressful, and sometimes it feels like you're drowning in everything." She nodded. "But that's life. And I understand. I don't want you beating yourself up over this." He stared into her eyes.
Elena dropped her gaze, unable to meet his eyes. The understanding and love was too much for her to handle. "You're not mad? I would be mad." She felt him pick up her left hand, loving stroking the ring he had given her with his thumb.
Stefan chuckled. "No, I'm not mad. And you wouldn't be either." He lifted her chin. "Elena, this isn't a big deal. Do you like being crabby." She shook her head. "Do you like being tired?" Another shake of the head. "Are you going to sleep more and let me handle everything that isn't school or swimming?" She reluctantly nodded. "Then we're good. We don't need to dwell. We don't need to let this turn into a fight." He kissed her quickly. "Now, finish your birthday breakfast and then get in the shower. You have English Lit in an hour."
Stefan rose from the bed, taking his empty plate with him. "Stef?" He turned. "Thanks." Elena twisted the sheet in her hands for a moment before dropping the fabric. "For being understanding. And for picking up all the slack. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Stefan smiled, and this time, his eyes twinkled. "We're partners. That's what partners do." He moved through the door and down the hall to the kitchen.
Elena smiled to herself as she picked up her forgotten waffle. How had she gotten so lucky? Stefan was everything she had ever needed, and more. He loved her, he respected her, he adored her, and he pushed her when she needed it, but he also knew exactly what to say and do when she felt like she was drowning.
Nik's voice echoed off the pool walls. "Alright, Ladies. That's it for today. 400 cool down, every fourth backstroke, then you're free to go." Elena tiredly pulled her goggles back down over her eyes before pushing off the wall. She reflected on her day as her lazy strokes pulled her through the water. Stefan's surprise breakfast had been so sweet, and it reminded her just how cranky she had been lately. Sometimes, when she was extremely stressed, Elena forgot that her life wasn't just hers now. It was something she shared with Stefan, and she couldn't always just be thinking about herself.
Elena flipped at the wall, twisting onto her back for the final lap of her cool down. After that practice, all she wanted was a hot shower, good dinner, and bed. Her fingers brushed the wall, alerting her that she had finished her cool down. She tugged her goggles of her face, tossing them into the gutter before slipping her cap off her head and dipping her neck back, letting the water flow through her long locks.
A voice pulled her out of her trance. "Happy Birthday, Elena!"
She lifted her head, turning to face the voice. Vicki's face smiled back at her. "Thank you, Vicki! Some present that practice was."
The other girl laughed, nodding her head appreciatively. "Yea, I'll say. I'm surprised Stefan didn't make us do another set after we all missed that last interval."
Elena chuckled. "That's something Kol would do, Stefan seems to have a really good sense of when we're too tired to keep going."
Vicki nodded, "That's so true. I think that's something really important in a coach. Do you remember how Matt used to make us do a fifty sprint for every interval we missed?" Elena nodded, a small grimace curling her mouth at the memory. "You were the only one..." Vicki stopped, eyes wide. "Sorry, I didn't..."
Elena cut her off before the other girl could get her apology out. "No worries. What's past is past. It happened, no biggie." She smiled at Vicki as she pushed herself out of the water and onto the gutter.
Vicki smiled appreciatively as she too hoisted herself out of the water. "Well, anyway, happy birthday." She gently touched Elena's arm before standing up with her equipment and heading to the locker room.
Elena smiled to herself as she climbed out of the pool. Several more girls wished her happy birthday as she collected her things and walked to the locker room.
Stefan lounged against the wall outside the women's locker room. There was a continuous stream of farewells as girls exited the locker room. Alana simply glared as she walked by him. Vicki stopped to thank him for the workout, and surprised him with a friendly hug before walking towards the doors.
Elena popped out a minute later, running her fingers through her long wet hair. He pushed himself off the wall, straightening his t-shirt. "Ready?" She nodded, a yawn stretching her lips. He reached around her, gently tugging her bag off her shoulders, slinging it across his back. Elena shot him an exasperated smile, but didn't comment. She wrapped an arm around his waist, leaning her head against him as they began to walk.
"I'm starving." She stated, pushing the door open in front of them. Stefan nodded his agreement as he fished his keys out of his pocket.
He unlocked the car, tossing Elena's bag into the back. "What are you in the mood for?" He asked, starting the engine as Elena folded herself into her seat.
"Ethiopian." She replied. "And a smoothie."
Stefan chuckled. "You're so predictable."
She stuck her tongue out at him. "Shut up. I like to call it loyalty."
Stefan shook his head, still chuckling. "Yeah, yeah. Ethiopian it is."
They ambled down the street, hand in hand, passing a large chocolate peanut butter smoothie between them. "Mhmm." Elena passed the smoothie back to Stefan, savoring the cool sweetness in her mouth. "You know, this is one of our favorite traditions." Stefan looked at her, sucking smoothie through the straw. She giggled at the slurping noises. "It's just so simple. But so peaceful."
Stefan nodded, swallowing the last bit of smoothie before tossing it into a trashcan on the sidewalk. "I agree. It doesn't hurt that the view is fantastic." They both looked out at the lights of the little shops twinkling in the dark, the moon reflected off the river running next to the boardwalk, and stars winked in the sky. He wrapped his arm tighter around Elena, pulling her into his chest. "Doesn't hurt that I'm sharing this moment with the most beautiful woman in the world."
Elena blushed, burying her head in his chest. Stefan could be so romantic; it melted her heart. He tugged her chin upwards, planting a light kiss on her nose. "Happy Birthday, Lena."
She smiled up at him, overwhelmed with feelings of love. He kissed her sweetly on the lips before tugging her along to resume their walk.
Elena's eyes lazily scanned the street, thinking about nothing and everything. Her eyes caught sight of a small tattoo parlor. She smiled, tugging on Stefan's hand. "Stefan." He looked at her, eyebrows furled in inquiry. She nodded at the parlor. "I want to get a tattoo."
Stefan raised his eyebrows. "Really?"
She nodded. "Yea, I've wanted one for a while, but just never gotten one."
Stefan chewed on his bottom lip. "Sure."
Elena giggled, tugging Stefan along as she crossed the street. "I'm sure. And I'm not intoxicated, so don't worry."
He laughed, picking up his pace to walk evenly with her.
The bell above the door tinkled as they entered.
A slender young man looked up from where he sat behind the counter. He pushed his dark glasses up his nose; setting down the pencil he had been drawing with. "Welcome to Colonial Tattoos, my name is Jamie. How can I help you?"
Elena stepped forward. "I would like to get a tattoo."
Jamie stood up, moving from behind the counter to stand in front of the pair. He held out a hand, long pianists fingers covered in ink. "Nice to meet you...?"
"Jamie." She supplied taking the hand he offered.
Jamie turned to Stefan; he offered his hand along with his name. "Stefan."
Jamie nodded, "Are you getting one as well?" Stefan shook his head. "Alright." Jamie clapped his hands together as he moved back behind the counter. He pulled a fresh sheet of paper from the shelf behind him, picking up his pencil. "What do you want?"
Elena let go of Stefan's hand, stepping up to the counter. "I want a quote. 'Love and kindness is the root of all happiness."
Jamie scribbled the words at the top of the page. "Okay. Any ideas on the design?"
She nodded. "All lowercase, neat cursive, simple lines."
Jamie set his pencil on the paper, slowly and deliberately beginning to trace out the words. "Do you want it in one line or two?" He asked, not looking up from the paper.
Elena looked at Stefan, "what do you think."
"Write it in both, and see which one you like better."
Jamie nodded, still tracing on the paper. He dropped the pencil a minute later, flipping the paper so that Elena and Stefan were staring that the letters right side up. Elena leaned forward, stroking her fingers over the letters.
She tapped her finger on the second one, split into two lines. "I like this one." Jamie nodded, standing up.
"Do you want it now, or do you want to come back later?"
"Now." Elena responded. Reaching for her pocket, she asked, "how much?"
Stefan caught her hand before she could grab her wallet. "It's on me." He whispered. "Since you didn't let me get you a birthday present." He kissed her head, pulling his own wallet out of his back pocket.
Jamie tapped a few buttons on the keyboard off to the side. "Depends on size and placement, how big do you want it, and where?" He asked Elena.
She turned, lifting her shirt to expose her right rib cage. "Right here." She tapped a spot on her side, right beneath the line of her bra. Jamie nodded. "And..." Elena looked at Stefan, chewing the inside of her lip as she pondered.
Stefan traced his fingers along her rib cage. "How about roughly..." He drew a rectangle with his finger. "Fourish inches long, and two tall?"
Elena nodded, satisfied with Stefan's suggestion, as she turned back to Jamie. He tapped a few more keys before turning back to them. "Thirty-five." Stefan handed over his credit card. Jamie quickly slid the card through the machine, before tearing off the receipt and handing it to Stefan. He signed the slip before sliding it back to Jamie.
"Alight, what color do you want it?" Jamie walked towards one of the chairs deeper in the building.
Elena and Stefan followed. "Black." She responded as Jamie gestured for her to sit in a chair. He moved to a shelf, collecting various items before returning. He set them all down on the tray besides her chair before moving back to the counter. He quickly traced her tattoo onto transfer paper, carrying the design back.
Jamie sat down next to Elena, gesturing for her to life her shirt. Elena rolled over, lifting her shirt and tucking it into the top of her sports bra. Jamie wiped her side with an alcohol swab before laying the sheet over her side, pressing down to ensure the ink transferred. He lifted the sheet back. "That good?" Elena looked at her side, nodding her approval.
Stefan pulled a chair up next to Elena, sitting himself down and reaching for her hand. She smiled at him as Jamie prepared the needle and ink. "Thank you, Stefan."
He nodded, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You're very welcome."
"Ready?" Jamie asked.
"Yeah." Elena responded, resting her head on the chair. She tensed a bit as the needle began to move across her skin, but quickly relaxed as Stefan rubbed a soothing thumb over her knuckles.
"So what's the quote from?" Jamie asked, eyes focused on his work.
"My mom used to say it all the time." Elena replied. She felt Stefan squeeze her hand. She had never mentioned that before, and he smiled at another piece of information about her. He understood now that she really must have been thinking about this for a while.
"It's pretty. How does she feel about you getting it as a tattoo?" Jamie asked, hand slowly guiding the needle along her skin.
"She died a while ago. But I think it would have made her smile."
Jamie smiled, sitting back in his chair and setting the needle aside. He picked up an alcohol wipe, gently rubbing away excess ink and stray drops of blood from her skin. "I think it would have too." He tossed the wipe in a nearby trashcan, peeling his gloves off and tossing them after. "Why don't you take a look." He gestured towards the mirror across the room.
Elena climbed off the chair, crossing the room to admire her side in the mirror. Stefan followed, leaning against the wall against the mirror, smiling at his girlfriend.
Elena turned this way and that, examining the words on her skin. She turned back to Jamie, smiling. "I love it, thank you."
He looked up from where he was cleaning the tray off. "Good, I'm glad." He smiled, carrying the tray to a back room.
Elena turned to Stefan. "What do you think?"
He smiled, pulling her into his arms and placing a gentle kiss on her lips. "Perfect."
She smiled back up at him before moving back to roll her shirt down. Jamie came back into the room, carrying a roll of clear wrap and a tub of Vaseline. "Just a minute." He lifted the items. Elena lifted her shirt back up as Jamie carefully rubbed the Vaseline into her side before wrapping her torso. He tore the edge, pressing the ragged end into her back. "Now you're good." Elena dropped her shirt again.
"Thank you again." She smiled at Jamie.
He nodded. "You're welcome." He guided Elena and Stefan towards the door. "And happy birthday."
He smiled at them as Elena picked up her sweatshirt from where she had set in on chair. "Thank you." She hugged him quickly. Stefan shook his hand before opening the door for Elena.
"Have a good night." Jamie called after them.
"You too." Stefan replied as he wrapped an arm around Elena. Her arm wound its way around Stefan's waist as she rested her head against his shoulder.
"Best birthday yet." She yawned out.
Stefan dropped a kiss on her forehead. "Happy to have shared it with you, Lena. Now let's get you home and to bed."
A/N: I am so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so SORRY it has been this long. My life has been crazy busy for the last year. I finish my first year of college soon and hopefully I can write more this summer. Thank you for your patience and all the loving reviews I have gotten in my unplanned hiatus. I hope this chapter wasn't a let down after so long!
Katie