I wake up early so I can get out of the house quickly before anyone else wakes up. I sneak into my bedroom ever so cautiously so as not to awaken Katherine. I grab some clothes and step out of the room. I shower in the guest room and make my escape while everyone else is still sleeping. Once my secretary arrives, I ask her to do a little digging on Mr. Stefan Burke.

It takes her no time at all. She tells me he's staying at the Fairmont Hotel. I decide to go do a little investigating for myself as the hotel is only a few miles from my office. I grab a cab and off I go. Once the cab delivers me to the hotel, I step into the lobby and walk to the concierge desk. I inquire about Mr. Burke. The man at the desk directs me to the swimming pool and recreational area. Once I reach the pool area, I notice a bunch of bathing beauties, mouths agape staring at a 'Tarzan' standing on the diving board. I look around and when I see a bellhop, I walk over to him.

"Can you tell me where a Mr. Stefan Burke is?" I ask curiously.

"Oh, yes sir. That's him," he says pointing to Tarzan on the diving board.

I stifle a laugh. Elena was fibbing when she told me her island companion was a stodgy sixty year old man. I can have some fun with this. I shake my head then grab a cab to go back to my office.

I decide to invite Elena for lunch at the Fairmont Hotel. This is going to be a hoot, I think to myself while rubbing my hands together.

"Hello, Elena?" I ask when she picks up the phone.

"Would you like to join me for lunch today? The Fairmont Hotel has a great Cobb salad. I know you like those or at least you used to. By the way, I'd like to meet your Mr. Burke. Do you think you could arrange that?" I say cunningly..

"I'm going to do some Christmas shopping for Andrew and Molly. I've missed too many Christmas's with them. You want to meet Stefan?" she says nervously.

"Yes." I reply succinctly.

"Okay. I'll talk to him. What time do you want me to come to your office?" she asks, taking the bait.

"One o'clock sound okay? We'll grab a cab from here if that's alright with you?" I ask before hearing the smooch sound of a kiss from Elena's end of the phone line.

"Did you hear that? It's not like you deserve a kiss though! I'll see you around one. Bye, Damon," she replies using her sultry voice.

ELENA:

I spent most of the morning shopping for Andrew and Molly. The stores are going to deliver the presents I purchased to the house so I don't have to carry them around with me. I'm almost giddy at the thought of being able to be with my kids and Damon for Christmas. I've missed seven Christmas's with them including Molly's first. I never would have stepped foot aboard that freighter had I known what was going to happen to Stefan and me. I can't let Damon meet Stefan. He'll go ballistic if he sees that I was stuck on the island with that fine specimen of masculinity.

Feeling the need for some new clothes, I walk into one of the finer stores in Las Angeles. There in front of my eyes is a short, little pot bellied man. That's the 'Stefan' that Damon should meet. I think to myself. I walk the short distance to the shoe section of the store where he's standing.

I grab a shoe and approach him, "Um, sir. Can you get me a size six in this shoe?"

"Why yes, madam. Please have a seat," he says gesturing to one of the chairs.

He brings the pair of shoes, takes one of mine off to try on the new pair. "Sir, um, are you free for lunch?" I ask anxiously.

"Lunch?" he says.

"Yes. I'll explain the specifics on the way to my husband's office. I want you to pretend to be my friend, Stefan..." I smile, hoping he'll help me out.

"You'll get a free lunch if nothing else, please?"

"I guess I can come with you. I just have to tell my manager that I'm taking my lunch break now."

"Oh thank you," I respond giddily.

Damon's office a short time later:

"Mr. Salvatore, your wife is here with a gentleman." I hear my secretary say when I pick up the phone.

"Send them in."

I get up to greet Elena at the door. "Hello Elena," I say then lean in to lift a kiss from her lips. "Who do you have with you?" I ask as I look curiously at the little man who walks into my office with her.

"Damon. I'd like you to meet Stefan." she says, smiling.

"Ah, so this is Stefan?" It's nice to meet you. I'm Damon, Elena's husband." I announce as I extend my hand to shake his. (I chuckle inside at the thought of her trying to pass off this little man as her Stefan from the island. Hmm. This is going to be so much fun, I think to myself.)

"Yes, Mr. Salvatore. I'm Stefan Burke. You have quite the wife here. She was jolly good company to share the island with."

"Jolly good hah?" I say narrowing my eyes on him.

"Damon, I promised Stefan here a meal. You can talk to him while we're eating."

"That, my dear is an excellent idea. Let's go." I say while gesturing to the door.

Once we arrive at the Fairmont Hotel, I ask them, "Why don't we eat in the pool area? It's a lovely day."

"Damon, that sounds wonderful." Elena concurs.

Soon a waiter seats us at one of the outdoor tables. I pull the chair out for her to sit down before taking a seat for myself.

"Have a seat Mr. Burke."

In a matter of moments we hear a chorus of swooning. Collectively, we turn our attention to where the sounds are coming from. I see Elena's eyes grow as wide as saucers when she sees her 'Tarzan' on the diving board. Tarzan just happens to look in our direction. He waves exuberantly when he makes eye contact with Elena.

"Do you know him, Elena?"

"Um, um, a him, ah," she stutters knowing she's been caught with her hand in the proverbial cookie jar. Oh, I am enjoying this immensely. So much so that I'm rubbing my hands together under the table.

The imposter Elena tried to pass off as Stefan clears his throat uncomfortably.

"I guess I should get back to work. It was nice meeting you Miss." He looks at me nervously then gets up to make a quick escape.

Elena stands up nervously and starts to back away when Stefan comes up behind her and says, "boo" in her ear. She startles and falls backwards into the pool. I jump up to help her out.

She shakes her hair at me in a huff. If looks could kill, I'd be dead with the stare she's nailing me with.

"Uh, Stefan. I'd like you to meet my husband, Damon. Damon, Stefan." She says harshly.

"Glad to meet you Damon. This is some wife you have. She's a wonderful companion." He waxes almost romantically.

"If you two don't mind, I'm soaking wet... Can we go to your room Stefan?" Elena says in a huff.

"Damon, will you go home and get me something dry to wear?"

"Sure, sure." I say, eyeing her disapprovingly.

"I won't be long."

When I arrive home, I look around for Katherine in hopes of avoiding her. I run into the room Elena has been sleeping in to grab her some clothes. I exhale heavily when I hear Katherine's grating voice yelling for me. I try to be quiet but to no avail as she catches me going through Elena's closet.

She surveys the situation, crosses her arms over her chest and tightens her lips.

"What are you doing in that woman's room?"

"Katherine, It's time you knew. I'm a married man!" I answer testily.

"I repeat.. What are you doing in this woman's room?"

"She's no woman! She's my wife." I tell her completely exasperated.

"I'm your wife, Damon! What are you trying to do? It's like you're descending into madness!"

Just then the doorbell rings. I run down the stairs to answer it.

"Damon, we are not through with this conversation," she yells, following immediately behind me.

I pull the door open and there stands a police officer holding documents in his hand. I look at him in confusion and ask him what he wants.

"Are you Damon Salvatore?" he asks.

"Yes, officer. How can I help you?"

"You're under arrest."

My mouth drops open, "Under arrest for what?" I say in shock.

"Bigamy!" he announces.

I turn to Katherine, throw my arms up and yell, "See! That's what I've been trying to tell you. LENA IS MY WIFE!"


Katherine knows! This story is winding down. Thank you for all of your support, reviews, follows and favorites. Thank you Eva for all of your support and brilliant beta work. And all of you that I know behind the scenes in addition to Eva. Kate, Charlotte, Jarka and Morgan. You all mean so much to me. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and I wish you all nothing but good things for 2015. Please do hit that review button.