Author's Note

First chapter! super excited :) I finally got this going omg 3 I dont know I didnt expect this :) SO this is when Elena is eight in the story. There will be swearing and all that profanity stuff later, but not in this chapter cuz elena is so young ;) enjoy! hopefully next chapter will come next week

Not to Spoil the Ending, but Everything's Gonna be Okay

Chapter 1

Elena was scared as she sat on the most exquisite and beautiful couch that she had ever laid her eyes on. Shifting uncomfortable in her seat, trying to take up as least space as possible, she gripped her hands tightly in her lap until her knuckles turned white. The white leather made a sound in response to her movement, being the only sound in the large empty living room. She didn't like this uncomfortable environment.

Katherine grasped Elena's hands as she saw Elena's reaction and squeezed them. Elena was eight, and always felt more reassured when her sister was there with her. Even with a four year age gap, Katherine was her best friend and a mother to Elena. After their parents died in a car crash last year on Elena's birthday, their guardians have only been pushing them to meet richer people so they could find a temporary owner for the Gilbert family company. This was the seventh family they've visited. After their parent's deaths, their brother had been sent away to another guardian because no one wanted to raise three children on their own. Elena missed Jeremy so much, but felt relieved that he didn't have to go through the same things as them.

"Elena, stop fidgeting, or Aunt Jenna will yell at you for poor manners again," She whispered. Katherine gave Elena the most reassuring smile she could. "This happens all the time; you don't have to be nervous anymore." Visiting families was the part Elena hated the most.

"Miss Gilbert," Both of them turned towards the unfamiliar voice. They saw a tall man walk towards them and sat down on the couch across from them. Behind them were two boys; one with dark hair and fierce blue orbs, the other with blonde hair and bright green eyes. If Elena didn't know better, she would have thought they weren't even related.

Katherine stood up immediately, remembering her manners. She nudged Elena to stand up as well, and both of them curtsied. "Good morning Mr. Salvatore," Katherine said. Both of them sat down again. Elena straightened up her dress and stared blankly ahead.

"I can see that Jenna have made you two into respectable children," Giuseppe said, satisfied.

Elena stiffened and stopped herself from scowling. All that her aunt ever did to them was wake them up in the morning and serve them meals. There was no love in their relationship. Katherine and Elena had practically raised themselves the past year, and both of them turned tough; thanks to everything that has happened to them.

"Miss Katherine, I'd like to introduce you to my son, Damon Salvatore," Giuseppe said, gesturing to the dark haired boy that had been sitting there quietly for a while. The boy nodded when gestured towards. He showed manners but there was something odd about his behaviour. "He will be taking over my company when he comes of age."

Elena noticed the presence of the boy, however, only when Giuseppe gestured to him, did she really look at him. Her eyes widened a little when she looked at his eyes. They might have been blue as the ocean, but they were full of fire, hate and anger. Almost like a blue flame. Clearly he didn't like being moulded into the perfect heir.

"Nice to meet you Katheri- Miss Katherine." Damon grumbled when Giuseppe nudged him.

Giuseppe smiled tightly. "Stefan, why don't you bring Miss Elena around the house and you can show her your favourite places."

The boy with the blonde hair sat up when he realized he was being called. He quickly regained his posture. "Why yes father," He hopped off the couch and held out his hand towards Elena.

Elena hesitated, looking at the boy's hand. She looked at Katherine and Katherine looked straight into her eyes. Be careful, Katherine's eyes told Elena. Katherine nodded and gestured her head towards the boy's hand.

Cautiously, Elena took the boys hand. It was warm and gentle, and soft, like a piano player's hands. Stefan dragged her away from the enormous living room and Elena kept looking back at the boy with the blue eyes. He looked stiff and uncomfortable, just like how she felt right now.

As soon as they left the room however, Stefan dropped all formal speech.

"So you're Elena huh," Stefan said. "I'm Stefan Salvatore and I'm ten, although you probably already knew. Which family is this?"

Elena paused in shock before snapping out of it. "Sir Stefan, I believe I don't understand what it is you're talking about,"

"Oh please, stop it, you're like 8?" Stefan rolled his eyes. "I don't care about the formal speech and everything, I just do it cause Giuseppe wants me to. I'm asking you how many rich families you've gone to visit,"

"Oh." Elena said. She shifted uncomfortably, not sure if she should tell him. His eyes looked friendly however, and she was willing to open up to him. "This is our seventh family. I don't know why Aunt Jenna enjoys bringing us to families though."

"She's probably trying to get more connections, considering your sister will own the entire Gilbert fortune and the company once she turns eighteen," Stefan said casually. They reached the kitchen already, and Stefan jumped to sit on the counter. Breakfast was already over, and all the kitchen staff had already left to do their other jobs until it was time for lunch. The empty kitchen seemed comfortable to Elena, since every rich house she went to, there would be servants or maids following them everywhere. Stefan motioned Elena to sit beside him and patted the counter.

"I know that," Elena said, climbing onto the counter to sit next to Stefan, not caring about her dress anymore. "But why are we meeting your brother? He has nothing to do with this."

Stefan paused as he was pulling out the hidden cookie jar behind the microwave. He looked at her wide eyed. "You didn't know? My brother and your sister are getting married."

Elena felt the blood in her face drain. Her sister was leaving her for a marriage? She gulped. "I don't know what you're saying, Katherine is twelve!" She felt nervous again, just like she was on the couch ten minutes ago. Gripping her hands together she began fidgeting again. Elena desperately wanted Katherine by her side.

"I know that," Stefan said. "But it doesn't mean that Giuseppe isn't planning for the future. He probably wants them married by the time she's twenty." He took a cookie out of the jar and broke it in half, giving half to Elena. "He wants your company,"

Elena stared at the chocolate chip cookie. The last time she ate one was during the Christmas before their parent's death. She bit into the cookie and tasted the aroma of chocolate filling her mouth and she closed her eyes. She missed the taste of sweet things; Aunt Jenna never let them eat anything for pleasure. Elena didn't care about their family fortune or company. She just wanted to be with Katherine. Suddenly she felt all her troubles bubbling around her and she desperately wanted to tell someone.

As the time passed, Elena felt herself opening up to Stefan and talking about her parent's death and how Aunt Jenna treated them, while he pulled out cookie by cookie, breaking each of them into half and sharing it with Elena. They laughed at the funny parts and were silent during the sad.

"I miss them," Elena whispered.

Stefan handed her another cookie. "I miss my mom too; even if I don't remember her." He bit into his cookie. "She died giving birth to me, and sometimes I think that Giuseppe hates me for it." He shrugged. "But since he doesn't care about me, I never get yelled at when I do something bad." He laughed casually, as if this didn't bother him. "Like eating all the cookies," his voice echoed as he talked into the now empty jar of cookies. He carefully placed the jar back behind the microwave and hopped off the counter.

"Come on," He said, holding his hand out for her.

For the first time ever since their parents died, she felt like she had someone she could trust besides Katherine. She held his hand and hopped off the counter.

"Sir Stefan, Miss Elena, Mr. Salvatore calls for you." A maid came in and said.

"Okay Tiffany, you can go back now." Stefan dismissed. The maid bowed before leaving. "You ready?" Stefan looked at her.

Elena smoothed out her white dress and brushed any remaining crumbs off. She took a deep breath. "I'm ready."

Stefan laughed as he saw the chocolate smudge on Elena's chin. Taking out his handkerchief, he wiped the chocolate off. "Come on," he said again. The two of them walked back towards the living room. Just as they were about to walk in, Elena and Stefan heard Katherine speaking.

"I'll agree to move into this house with you," Katherine said. Elena tried not to gasp. Katherine was really leaving her alone with Aunt Jenna. Elena bit her lip as she held her tears. She promised Katherine that she would no longer be a cry baby, but there was no way she could lose Katherine after losing their parents.

Katherine continued. "On one condition," She looked at the doorway where she saw Elena standing, and smiled. "As long as Elena can stay with me. Forever."