New Chapter! Please Review! They are so encouraging to read. I can't wait to write more, I love this story, and I love where I have it going, and I hope yall will as well! Please let me know any ideas or comments you have about the story.
The Founder's Ball rushed up sooner than Elena expected, and before long, Maria was stringing up that damn corset again, but the dark deep blue dress was beautiful, and Maria had twisted her hair up into an elegant swirl. When the verdict was complete, she had to admit that she looked stunning. Less than ten minutes later, there was a knock at her door. Maria opened it, and Damon's smiling face appeared. He seemed dazed for a moment. "Wow." he finally stated. "Elena, you look amazing." She teasingly curtosied at him. "Thank you Mr. Salvatore, you look dashing yourself."
And it was true. Damon could pull off a suit, though it was weird seeing him in dark colors again.
"Thank you, my lady, but now if you don't mind, we have a party to get to." He extended an arm for her, and she took it laughing. Before they even reached the top of the stairs, Elena could hear the music and laughter coming from down below, and she actually felt a little excited. Many people greeted them as they walked down the stairs, and Damon offered to get her a drink.
"I thought that was my job," she teased, noting how after they had an adventure, she'd always go back to the kitchen to bagger the cook for to glasses of lemonade. He laughed, "Not today, Beautiful, it's my turn."
She grinned, "Well in that case I'd love one."
He kissed the side of her head before heading toward the drink table. Fortunately, in his absence, she was spotted by Sarah Lockwood, a woman she'd met a few weeks back, so she wasn't left completely alone. The two were deep in conversation by the time Damon returned. "Ladies," he interupted, handing Elena her drink. "Oh Damon, I was wondering if you'd show up," Sarah smiled, allowing him to shake, and kiss, her hand.
"And miss seeing your lovely face, I think not!" He joked, pulling Elena closer to him.
Sarah laughed, rolling her eyes. "Oh you Salvatore's always were such flirts!"
Then sobering, she added, "Keep a tight grip on this one, Elena, he's a fine catch."
Elena blushed at Sarah's assumption, but only nodded, surprising Damon, but not in an unpleasant way.
Sometime later, Stefan and Katherine came down, but neither Damon nor Elena noticed right away, as Damon had just pulled her in for a dance. It was as wonderful as the one she'd shared with his future self for the Miss Mystic Falls competition. If not better. A few songs later, and the two were basically oblivious to anything else. Until Katherine cut in.
"Could I steal a dance?"She asked with a possesive smile. It infuriated her that Damon looked at Elena for permission.
She smiled, "Go ahead if you want, I need a break anyway!"
He nodded before turning to Katherine again. "Shall we?"
Despite what she'd told Stefan, Katherine thought, Damon was just as good a dancer.
"You look cozy." She commented as they danced, "Elena have anything to do with that?"
"Why do you care Katherine?" Damon asked, almost annoyed.
"Oh lighten up, Damon. I was just wondering. Besides, you've all but ignored me lately, I can't help but feel like there's a reason."
"Actually your the one that's been busy with Stefan, Katherine, but it's okay," he added, before she could talk, "Really, it is. You're right, I have been spending time with Elena. And I like her. I like her a lot."
"More than you like me." Katherine said, stating it as a fact, not a question.
"I don't know, Katherine. I mean, I love you, I do, I did, I don't know. I care about you, and I want you safe and happy, but you want Stefan, and he loves you too, so I'm not fighting anymore, not when Elena makes me feel the way I do. I have no reason to fight. If I'm happy, your happy, and Stefan's happy, then who am I to complain about how it happened."
Katherine didn't comment, just thought about what he said. Was she happy. She'd say so. Stefan was a darling, and yes he had freaked a little when she told him about her true nature, but who wouldn't? He'd come around in the end. But she still wanted Damon. She wanted him to love her, but he was right, she wanted Stefan more. And Damon seemed happy, so why should she complain. In the distance she spotted Elena. Apparently Stefan had asked the girl to dance, and the two seemed to be in conversation as they twirled around.
If Stefan fell for this Elena in the future, wasn't she doing herself a favor by letting the girl love Damon instead? Maybe she should just let the chips fall where they may, for this time at least.
Elena didn't like Damon with Katherine. But she knew he needed to deal with his feelings for her in his own way, so she'd let him go, only to be claimed by Stefan. She wasn't really sure why she'd agreed to dance with him. Maybe to clear up some feelings of her own. Looking at him almost made her sad, but she knew that it was irrelevant.
"You look so much like her." He mused again.
She smiled kindly, "Yes it's strange, I'm still getting use to it."
"I'd imagine so. Have the two of you spoken much in your stay?"
Elena shook her head, "No not really, we've had a few conversations, but not enough to figure anything out about our families."
"How well do you know her?" He asked, spinning her to the music.
"What do you mean?" Elena asked, confused.
Stefan smiled. "I sorry, I just need an opinion, and Damon's is well, sort of void."
"Um, okay," She agreed questioningly.
"Do you know Katherine well enough to know what her answer would be if I proposed marriage?"
Elena's step faultered."I...um...wow, marraige? Katherine?"
Stefan laughed, "I know, I know, but I love her Miss Elena, more than anyone, more than anything. And I want to be with her forever. I guess I'm just being a little cowardice, in fear of her rejection."
Elena sighed, making her decision. "She loves you Stefan. If you want, ask her, but make sure this is absolutely what you want, forever."
The song ended as he was nodding at her words. And Elena left to find a seat, her mind reeling. Katherine was a monster, but she did love Stefan. It was his choice anyway. If he loved her, he should be free to let her know. But marriage? Did vampires even get married? Would Katherine turn Stefan so they could be together? And now what about Damon, how had him being with her changed things? Would the future even be the same when she finally got back?
She groaned, so much for not worrying.
But then Damon was in front of her. "Come with me." He told her, and he took her outside toward the stables. The air was brisk, as night had fallen already, and the horses perked when they came near.
"What's wrong Damon?" She asked after a moment of silence.
"Nothings wrong, I just...talking to Katherine made me realize something.
The sat down on a bench near the opening. It was beautiful, the moon spilling in with a glow over the country, leading up to there seat next to the beautiful creatures neighing for thier attenion.
"And what's that?" She asked curiously.
"Elena, I loved Katherine, I did, and I still care about her, but you were right, about her, and everything else. But lately I've found that none of that matters, because I have you." He watched her face, but she just waited for him to continue. "And while I care about Katherine, and my brother, I'm ready to do what I want for once. And I want to be with you Elena. I care about you in a way I never could for Katherine, and I...I'm different around you. You make me happy Elena, and I love that...and each day we spend together, every minute I'm around you, I can feel myself falling for you."
Elena couldn't explain the happiness his words were making her feel, as she could only stare at his eyes.
"Elena, " He continued, standing up, and leading her with him. "I am in love with you. And I felt as if you should know that."
He brushed a curl from her face, letting his fingers linger on her cheek.
"Damon..." She finally answered, thinking through her response, and decided to be honest, "I think I'm falling for you too. I don't know if I am absolutely in love with you, but I care for you a great deal, and I am my happiest around you. If I'm not in love yet, then I am well on my way."
Damon smiled, his eyes screaming with joy and victory. "That's good enough for me."
And he kissed her again. Not quite as gentle as the last time, but still just as sweet. Her hands moved up to tangle in his hair, and he wrapped his arms around her, bringing her tight against his body, after what seemed like hours, Damon pulled away.
"This isn't proper to be doing out in the open, someone could see, and it could tarnish your reputation."
Elena giggled. "I'm not that worried about it."
This made him smile again, "Elena, allow me to court you please, I need to be able to tell people you are mine in some way, and I want to be yours, please, my sweet Elena."
How could anyone deny him, Elena wondered as she nodded her agreement. Happily, he kissed her again, sealing the deal.
"Thank you, by this time tomorrow, kissing you will be perfectly acceptable, and even expected." He told her excitedly. She laughed at his little kid in a candy store face, and he hugged her again, holding her close. "I love you, Elena. And I'm so grateful you chose me."
She smiled in contentment, closing her eyes and wishing the night would never end.