Another chapter! :) oh, and I messed up the previous chapter with '9 months' -_- it was supposed to be '9 weeks' I'm sorry for the mistake...
Another thing, there are sweet moments, vulnerable moments, funny moments, and cute moments in this chapter. Guess this is like a gift for you guys because you are an amazing readers!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: as usual.
PART 17
(3 months later)
"Checked everything? All the windows locked? The doors?" Damon carefully locked the window near the kitchen as he saw Elena moving her big suitcase to the front door even though Damon had already said she should be just locking things and he would do all the lifting suitcases.
"Yes, sir. You asked me three times already" she rolled her eyes at him
"Nothing wrong with the safety right?" he smirked, walking towards his lover. "Whoa, were you planning on stay in Mystic Falls for the rest of your life?"
"No, just so you know that now I'm 5 months and 1 week along and I have a tiny bump on my stomach, I bought bigger shirts and pants special for this occasion" she caressed her bump.
"Just checking you weren't planning on leaving me, dear" he singsonged as he leant down and kissed her stomach. She always loved it when he do that. It made her fell whole and loved.
"Ready to go?" Damon took her right hand and her suitcase in his left hand.
"Sure"
They both walked down the hallway to the elevator.
"Elena, darling, you look...glowing" her mom pulled her into a tight hug as soon as she spotted Elena and Damon out of the airport.
"Just say that I'm fat" she sighed. Damon took her hand in his while the other on the bag trolley.
"No, no you're not fat. It's normal for pregnant women to feel that way but you, my dear, is not fat" she glanced at Damon and he just nodded.
"Damon, honey, it's so good to see you again" she hug him and he hug her back. Wow, this is definitely not awkward.
"Thank you for let us staying at your place" he smiled at Miranda.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous. Do you think I would let you stay at crappy hotel in Mystic Falls and let my baby girl gets the worst attention from her mom? Also, do you really think I don't miss my niece?"
"Niece? Mom, please. It could be a boy"
"See, Lena. Even your mom thinks it's a girl" Damon raised an eyebrow at her.
"That's because you all infected by Caroline Syndrome"
"Oh, cmon now. You can't stand for too long"
She held Elena's hand while Damon push the trolley.
It was already 7 p.m when they got to the house. Damon unpacked their things while Elena and her mother talking in the kitchen.
"So, how are you?"
"I'm fine, I don't think I've ever feel this great" Elena gave her mom small smile before she continued, "It's all because of the man upstairs"
"I knew you would end up with him. I knew he loved you from the moment I met him"
"Oh mom, don't be all psychic now"
"No, honey, I'm just have the feeling he would tell you soon"
"Well, I'm just glad he did and I'm glad that now we are together" she sighed happily, "so when can I meet the famous Greyson Pierce?"
"Oh he'll be here tomorrow night for dinner. You'll love him Lena"
"Sure I would, because he could make my mom happy" she softly took her mom's hands and squeezed it.
"Oh, baby..." her mom started to welling up.
"Oh mom, please I'm the pregnant one her. You don't get to be sensitive and emotional. In fact everybody should feel happy"
"Oh honey, you should feel happy too"
"I do mom, like I told you. I feel happy since Damon said he loves me"
The next day, Elena decided she would take Damon for lunch in Mystic Grill. She would like to introduce him to her old friends.
"Here we are, Mystic Grill. I used to hung out here after school" they sat at one of the booth and called the waiter.
"Well, I guess this was build after I left Mystic Falls" he muttered.
"When did you leave exactly?"
"Two months or three after my mother's passed away. My father just left the house we used to lived in unsupervised"
"We should go check it out sometimes" her eyes glowed with excitement.
"Yeah, maybe we should"
"Yay! You're the best"
Lately, she could become emotional in a minute and a happy person in the next. She could be angry at him without reason but the next minute she could curled up in his arms. She stopped her morning sickness but with the cravings, sometimes he couldn't stand it.
"So, Ms. Gilbert, what do you suggest?" Damon asked as they looking through the menu.
"Cheese burger is good. But they have pasta to die for" she frowned. Damon liked looking at her thinking like that, she would look all serious and bussinesslike.
"I'll have cheese burger then. And orange juice" he decided.
Elena called a waiter. It was Matt.
"Matt? Oh my God, I thought you'll be back to New York by now" Elena surprised.
"Lena? Hey, well, remember about Tyler called asking me to come home? Turns out he bought the Grill and wanted me to be the manager since he have another restaurant out of town" she got up and hug him, "wow, I felt bump on your stomach! Don't tell—Lena congrats!" he hug her once again and twirl her around.
Damon cleared his throat definitely feel left aside and Matt just got his whole world in his arms.
"Oh, right", she blushed, "Matt this is Damon, my boyfriend. Damon, this is Matt. One of my high school friend" he got up and shake his hand.
"Nice to meet ya man! Don't wanna bother you guys, so, what would you like to eat?" Matt let out his notes.
"I want cheese burger and orange juice please. Elena?"
"Make that two please, thanks Matt" Matt wrote down their orders and walked away.
"So, who is it?" Damon asked.
"Like I said he was my high school friend. Oh, and one of my ex-boyfriend"
"Ex-boyfriend, huh?" Elena could see the jealousy on his face, she couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" Damon frowned.
"You! I've told you before that you were cute right? Guess old habit die hard. You said you were anything but cute but all I see now is cute little Damon"
"Cute? Excuse me?" he narrowed his eyes. Obviously offended.
"Oh please don't mad at me. It's not your fault you have such a cute face" she laughed once again. Almost everyone in the room looking at them.
"I am anything but cute. I'm sexy, hot, smart, rich, bad-ass. I repeat, I am not cute"
"Just face it, you are my cute little Damon" she pinched his cheeks which made him glared in surprised. He got up and took a seat next to Elena. He started to tickled her. She screamed in joy and glee like a little girl. Now, every single person in the room looking at them amused.
"Stop it! Stop now! Damon Salvatore I said stop!" she yelled while Damon's hands still roaming her waist.
"Am I still cute now?" he grinned.
"No, no you are sexy and bad-ass now" she tried to made her lips into a firm line, but she ended up laughing once again.
From the corner Matt looked at the lovebirds. That guy is great. She deserved someone who can make her laugh like that. It's been a long since the last time I hear her laugh.
They came home right before dinner. Miranda cooked all the foods since she was the best cooks in the Gilbert family.
"Mom, we're home!" Elena shouted as she put down her shopping bags and unlinked her arms from Damon's.
After The Grill, they went to Clarissa's Baby and Toddlers Shop to buy some clothes for the baby. Elena insisted they would having a boy, so she bought baby blue pants, baby blue shirts, even baby blue socks. Damon, who still thinks it was a girl, he brought baby pink shirts and baby pink gloves.
"Hey you guys, go upstairs and get dressed. Greyson'll be here in an hour" Miranda half shouted and waved them to Elena's old bedroom.
They went upstairs and Damon closed the door.
"Go ahead, you can go first"
"Um, Damon. You know if we shower together it would save water and time. So why don't we go together?" She asked shyly.
"Are you sure?" he looked hesitated, afraid of scared her.
"Yeah, it just...I want to be clean" she winked and he shook his head following his girlfriend into the bathroom.
They spent twenty minutes inside, and as Elena said he keep it clean and simple. He pour down the shampoo and rub it softly at the scalp of her head, and she did the same for him.
Elena dressed in her cream knee-length dress because Miranda told her to keep it simple and appropriate, she let her straight hair loose on her back. Damon in awed for her. Even though she was pregnant and showed a tiny bump on her stomach she was still managed to be the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen.
"You look lovely" he said softly as he kissed her cheek.
"You don't look so bad yourself" she smiled and smoothed his dark blue shirt.
"Let's go downstairs, I believe your mom's fianc is already here" he took her hand in his and led her to the stair.
At the bottom of the stairs, they saw a good-looking older guy talking to her mom. He was wearing a grey shirt and black pants and a warm smile in his face. Greyson.
"Gray, this is my daughter that I told you about,Elena. And her boyfriend, Damon" Miranda smiled and Greyson shook their hands.
"It's nice to meet you Grayson" both Elena and Damon said in unison. It was the moment of silence until they all laughed.
"Cmon, dinner's this way"
They ate in silence until Damon spoke up.
"So, Grayson, I heard that you met Miranda at the park. What did you do?"
"Oh I was having some trouble in my office. I always thinking the park would be the perfect place to think"
"I agree, you should come to New York. At least that's the other way to let yourself loose" Elena said.
"Maybe I will. Oh and congratulations on your pregnancy. I believe you both will be wonderful parents to a girl"
"Girl?" Elena said in shocked, "Why is everyone keep saying this is a girl? It could be a boy"
"See, darling? Even he thinks it's a boy. And he hasn't even met Caroline" Damon smirked and high fived Greyson which he took it gladly.
She scowled and muttered something. The three of them laughing at her and she couldn't help but laugh too. Turns out, Grayson was the best man for her mother.
It was a little before midnight when they return to the bedroom. Greyson has left half an hour ago. Miranda has also return to her bedroom.
"So what do you think of Grayson?" Damon asked as Elena combed her hair.
"I think he's nice. He could make my mom laugh. That's the most important thing on 'How To Choose A Good Boyfriend'"
"According to who?" he frowned and shook his head.
Elena turned herself around and looked at Damon, "According to Seventeen magazine" she hissed, "Never. Doubted. Seventeen. Magazine"
"Ohh, I'm scared" he faked widened his eyes and laugh.
"Ass. I am not gonna let you touch me tonight" she jumped in bed and pulled the covers up. She rolled to her side of the bed.
"Like you could let yourself do it" he smirked and rolled to his side.
And he was right, after a couple minute she slowly curled up to Damon's side. She wrapped her hands in his waist and inhaled deeply on his back.
"See? You can't keep your hands off me" he rolled to Elena side and hold her closer and she snuggled up closer as well.
"Damon?"
"Hmmm?"
"I want you. Now"
"What did you just say?" he looked down at her in surprised.
"I mean, it's been like almost six months after we did it and I know you're not getting any"
"No, I don't want to hurt you. And the baby"
"You won't. I asked myself. He said sex is fine"
"Are you sure? Is this what you want?" he seems hesitant and then rolled on top of her after she nodded, "Okay then, but you'll be at top. And keep it quiet. We don't want your mom hear us now do we?"
She rolled herself and now she was on top of Damon, she kissed him softly at first but when he grab her waist it became more wild and passionate. She broke the kiss to catch her breath and kiss him once again. It felt like minutes and minutes before she broke the kiss again and press her forehead against his.
"I love you, Damon. So much" she said softly looking at his filled-with-lust blue eyes.
"I love you, too. Too much"
The sun shone through her windows. She knew it already noon but she couldn't make herself out from bed. Last night were worn her out. Amazing night ever. She was in Damon's embrace, his arms protectively on her waist and her face on his neck. He smelled divine even in the morning.
She looked at sleep Damon and smile softly. He looked so young, innocent and sweet, like nothing on his mind but peace. She stroked his hair once and caress his cheek. She didn't want to wake him but she couldn't fight the urge to touch him. He was right, she couldn't keep her hands off him.
"Staring and touching sleeping form is rude" he said hoarsely.
"No, it's romantic. It's what they do in movies" she smiled as Damon open his eyes.
"Good morning" he kissed her lips chastely.
"Good morning to you too" she kissed his nose. "so, what we're gonna do today? Tomorrow is the dinner rehearsal, and by evening everyone would come"
"What do you suggest?"
"Lay in bed, make love some more, so I can have you to myself today" she grinned happily at the thought.
"As tempting as that sounds, I do want to take you to my past"
"Your past?" she said confused.
"Yes, my old home"
"Oh oh, that's sounds more tempting! I go get shower now" she got out of Damon's embrace and stepped in to the bathroom. "Damon, like I said last night, it would save more—" before she could finished, he was already naked in front of her, smirking.
"Where's your mom?" he asked after spending alomost an hour in the shower with her.
"She left to the antique shop maybe" she said as she grab cold milk from the fridge.
Miranda did own the antique shop near the Grill. She started the bussiness right after John left her. She was forced to keep moving on for Elena and Jeremy so she borrowed some money and start the bussiness until now.
"She left note though", she continued, "Dear Elena, I left to the shop early. Got something to do since I couldn't get enough sleep hearing you and Damon last night. Not that I mind. See you for dinner honey, love, mom" she blushed.
"Well, you were a screamer" Damon smirked which she reply by a punch on his arms.
"Shut up!" she scolded as she eat her cereal, "Wait, how are we gonna go to your old house?"
"I borrow a car" he said simply. "I called Ric, he is teaching and he lend me his car"
"Okay"
They finished they breakfast in silence. Damon went to Mystic Falls High with the direction Elena gave him and she wait at home.
When Damon finally came back, she eagerly step into the car.
Half an hour later they were facing with an old Victorian house. It was big, really big with two stories. It seems have been built since the early nineties. It had one big wood front door and a large porch. Elena never seen a house that big in her entire life. And the fact that it was close to her house.
"Home sweet home" she heard Damon muttered sarcastically.
"Is this your house?" She asked still feel amused.
"Yep, it used to a boarding house. Cmon, let's go in" he took her hand and lead her in.
Damon pull out keys from his pocket and carefully put the key in the lock and turn it open.
Elena was sure she had her mouth open when Damon open the front door.
Inside of the house were even more beautiful and elegant in the inside. It was dominant with woods. Black, brown and red maroon were definitely Damon's family favorite colours. It had it creepy sense but in a beautiful and classic way. White cloth covered many furnitures in the room. It was the living room. Couches, tables, even the painting was in covered.
"Wow" she said breathlessly.
"I know. It's still look the same"
Damon took a step forward and started to observed the house, the outside and the inside, were still the same. Except the dust and brown leaves everywhere. He'd missed it. He didn't want to admit it but it's true.
His mom used to read him and Stefan's stories in front of the fireplace. His dad used to drink his liqour while listening to his wife telling stories to his two sons. He missed those times.
"Hey..." he felt someone touched his shoulder softly and he turned around to meet a pair of doe eyes. "You missed this"
She always know what he was thinking.
He nodded. He couldn't be this fragile and vulnerable in front of her since he was the man.
"I shouldn't have make you to come here" she sighed.
"No, I should've come here early. Thank you for making me come here" he gathered her and wrapped her warm body into his. She snuggled to him closer and inhaled his scent. He kissed her crown.
"Can I explore the place?" she looked up at him, he knew she said that because she wanted to give him some time for himself. Well, out of curiousity.
"Sure, second floor, turn left. It was my room" she eagerly nodded and went to the stairs.
Damon sighed. If his mom were still alive. She would've loved Elena. She changed him a good way without even realized it. She made him a better man. He still couldn't figure out how lucky he was. What he did in the past was just broken million girls hearts.
After some more memories playing around in his head, he decided it was time for looking for Elena. So he went upstairs.
Upstairs was no different that downstairs. It still hasn't changed. Paintings in covered, hallway was dark, just a glimpse of sun shining through an half-covered windows.
He entered his old room and found Elena mesmerized by the view from his room's window.
"It's beautiful" she whispered when she felt Damon presence beside her.
"It is. That's why I chose this room"
"You didn't bring all of your furnitures. Beds, chairs, couches, counters in the kitchen. Everything. Why?" she turned to him.
"My father didn't want anything that will make him remember how hard it was when my mother died. He told us to left eveything behind. Even my favorite blanket my mom bought me" he said sadly but his face remained flat.
"Oh God... so you just left it?"
"Yes"
She took a step toward him and wrapped her arms on his neck. He pull her closer and let his tear fall.
"It's okay, shh... even though you didn't have those things, I believe she still stay always and forever in your heart" she said softly and stroke his back.
Elena never seen or heard a guy as strong, as cocky, as tough, and as brave as Damon cried. She never even imagine it.
She knew what a favorite blanket means for a child. It was like evething you've ever had, you'll hold on to it everytime you had nightmares or even just after you heard scary lightning. Damon was precocious.
When he was supposed to play outside with his friends, he watch over and take care of Stefan instead. When he was supposed to go out at night, instead he was cooking dinner for Stefan and clean the house. He wasn't poor, but he wanted the best for his brother and he couldn't trust anyone especially after their father practically abandoned them.
They stood like that for minutes after minutes. Finally Damon pulled away and his wet blue eyes meet her brown eyes.
She carefully and softly wipe his tears away with her thumb and kissed his nose.
She smiled and kissed his lips chastely. Then she know, Damon was completely letting go of his broken and dark past.
The dinner rehearsal was held in one of the ballrooms in Mystic Falls City Hall. Stefan and Caroline were the first one who came. They checked in to the hotel then left to City Hall. Bonnie, Jeremy, Jenna and Alaric came next. They were straight go to the City Hall. The Lockwoods also came, Tyler, Vicky and their parents. Matt and his new girlfriend, Dana, came early because they couldn't stay until the rehearsal finished. Some of Miranda's costumers who knew about this came as well. Miranda didn't invited John and his family, and for that Elena was grateful.
The Pierce's took their own big family too. So instead of just usual dinner rehearsal, it became a family gathering. Elena didn't mind, she met Emily, Grayson's sister and her husband Connor. She also met April and Rebekah, the twins. April and Rebekah were eight years old girl, who followed Damon everywhere. She knew her boyfriend was the most hot guy in the room and they follow him to ask him where they could find someone like him. Their dreams? To marry a guy like Damon Salvatore.
As Elena spoke her wishes and hopes for her mom and Grayson, Damon's sapphire blue eyes couldn't leave hers. He was nervous inside. What if she said no? What if she wouldn't say what he wanted her to say? His world would definitely crushed for the second time with a same woman.
She finished her speech and everyone took their drinks and toast.
"Man, you okay?" Ric asked. He's been watching his friend all sweaty the entire time.
"Huh? Yeah. I'm good"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, why?"
"You're all sweaty man. I've never see you like this" Ric said as he sipped his drink.
"I'll tell you but don't tell anyone"
"Scouts honor" he held up his hand.
Damon carefully reaching for the box from his pocket. Black little box with Pandora on it.
"Holy shit!" Alaric yelled and every single head in the room see to his direction. "Uh... I was looking at Damon's phone, it has many porn in it"
"RIC!" he hissed glared at him then to the twins.
"I said porn? No, I meant was corn. I'm sorry everybody. Moving on" they were all laugh and shook their heads.
"This is why I wouldn't tell you" Damon muttered.
"I'm sorry" he whispered, "but are you sure?"
"I've been preparing for this for almost two months now. Stefan encouraged me to do it today"
"He knew and I didn't? I thought we were more that that man" he fake offended.
"Funny. I'm sure. I'm just...what if she said no?" he looked all worry and fidgety now.
"You know what they say, you won't know if you don't try"
"Hey, you alright? Still thinking of the Boarding House?" Elena touched his shoulder softly.
She's been looking for him. Turns out he was at the balcony, enjoying the night wind and Mystic Falls view ant night. Damon's been distant and jumpy after they came back from his house earlier. She was worryy maybe it was because of her taking him to there.
"No, I was thinking of renovate it though" he turned arounds and grab her waist.
"Really? It would be so beautiful again" she said happily.
"I think so too"
"Damon?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you okay? You've been kinda jumpy and sweaty tonight"
"I just..." this is it, he told himself. You can do it, Salvatore. You love her and she loves you. "I want to ask you a question"
"Sure, ask away"
"Before that..." he got down on his knee and Elena let out a small gasp and cupped her mouth.
"We've been known each other for just six months now. I know it's a little too soon for you but I just couldn't help myself. Like I said before I'm not hearts and flowers kind of guy, and right now I don't have flowers either", he smirked, "But I will do anything for you, you know? I feel like you've been sent to me from heaven or wherever to changed me. To make me a better man and you did it without you even know it. I can picture you and our little baby in my future Elena. And in my future, we'll live happily ever after. So, Elena Gilbert, will you marry me?" he pulled out his little black box and opened it. A ring. A diamond ring with three little diamonds and it shine when the light touched it. It was so bright, just like Damon's eyes who looked at her softly.
She felt herself let down a tear from her eyes, "Yes".
Ta Da! Like I said, this chapter included every moments :D
Longest chapter ever but I really enjoyed writing it!
Next stop: Epilogue!
P.S: the vote is still on, since the result is tie :/ someone asked why don't I write both? Well, I can't. But I would, still I don't have enough time to write them both together. So, VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! :D
P.P.S: Please review ;)