"Are you alright Baby? Did you hear something?" Her hand was soft against his cheek, a slow burn radiating out from her palm. Her arm was pale in the early morning light, her body shivering in the cool air. He reached out gently, resting his hand on her hip as she came willingly into his embrace. Her heart fluttered lightly as she molded into his arms, her lips pressed to his neck. "Did something wake you?"

"No...dear. I just went for a walk." She pulled back to look into his eyes for a moment before nodding slightly. She grabbed his hand, threading her fingers with his before tugging him towards the steps. Her robe swished as she walked, her hips promising passionate delights. He followed her like an animal, his body radiating with what this change of events could mean for him. He could feel her vibrating with want, with desire, with the sweet delights of a woman in love.

Soon they were nearing his bedroom and she turned for a moment in order to unbutton his shirt. As it fluttered down his arms, she caressed the muscles she had uncovered. Her fingers were teasing, seeking out pleasurable spots while her little heels clicked on the hardwood. Soon they were in his room and he noticed with interest that the furniture was different. There was a larger bed, custom naturally, and silken sheets that would be a pleasure to slip around on. She pushed him towards the bed and he tumbled on to the sheets, bouncing a little as she stood at the foot of the bed.

"I thought you might like to open one of your presents now." She twirled a little, giggling at his facial expression. He was stunned to say the least. She was sliding the silk robe up and down her legs, caressing herself with it as she stared at him. He could smell her standing there, her arousal a delectable scent of wonders to be had. He watched as her fingers slipped to the knotted belt, swaying her hips to silent music.

He watched in awe as the robe slipped open slightly, showing him slivers of her skin as she spun around. She licked her lips sensuously and dropped the robe to the floor. The midnight blue silk robe hit the dark hardwood floors as she faced away from him. She looked over her shoulder at him before bending over to remove her heels. He watched her with passion-filled eyes as she stood up again, twirling the end of a bit of cloth between her fingers.

"Won't you unwrap your present Baby?" She moved until she was between his knees, her breasts pressed forward. He leaned forward gently and kissed the valley between her breasts, licking and suckling until she moaned softly. He pulled back and finally noticed a ribbon tied around her waist, securing the dark red baby-doll to her body. He untied it quickly, unwrapping his gift slowly.

As the ribbon drifted down her body, he noticed a sharp intake of breath as the ribbon teased her heated flesh. He paused for a moment as he pulled the ribbon more tightly into his grasp. He rubbed it gently across the tops of her legs, teasing her gently. Before she could gasp fully, he had rolled them to the bed. He pinned her to the sheets while kissing her neck, suckling the soft skin beneath her ear.

"Darling little flower. You're quivering for me, all wet and needy." She moaned above him as he rubbed himself against her. "Simply a dream come true."

"Ohhh Damon!" Her voice rose in a litany of soft sighs, passionate moans, and pleading cries as he played with her. "Damon, is something...is something different?"

"No, why?" he managed to grunt out as he licked the tops of her breasts. He could smell the lotions she used on her skin, a concoction of white tea and ginger. It was delectable and seemed to be distracting him from whatever she was trying to say. Her fingers were grasping his shoulders, her sharp little nails scratching him as he teased her.

"You had me a few hours ago but you are acting like we've never been this way. Are you sure you are alright?"

"I'd be better if you'd let me keep playing with you." She giggled lightly as he tickled her hip.

"Alrighty then...do your worst! Your wife needs some serious loving and you need to give it to her." He glanced down then, noticing for the first time she was wearing a beautiful ring with a silver wedding band nestled on her finger. He lifted her hand and kissed the ring gently before sliding up next to her on the bed.

"Will you tell me something little flower?" She nodded quickly and he chuckled at her before continuing. "Tell me how I proposed."

"You know the story, after all you were there."

"Humor me."

"Well we were walking through the park and you led me astray, as you often do. You took me to that spot near the Falls where we went all those Christmas's ago. You held me close, lifting my curled hair from my neck and kissed my shoulder." She closed her eyes as she remembered an important event from past years.

"Like this?" He whispered softly as he brushed his lips against her shoulder. She groaned as he duplicated the move, only this time he added tongue.

"Yes exactly like that. You did that a few times until I was weak in the knees. Then you got down on one knee and proposed in the traditional sense. After I said yes, we had a sunset picnic and watched the meteor shower. It was beautiful and romantic and we made love under the stars that night. Oh Damon, it was so magical!"

"We are magic." He leaned down and kissed her nose gently. "I'm so sorry this is all a dream and you aren't real." He glanced down and noticed a tear running down her face, dripping onto the red lingerie she had so carefully picked out. The door swung open suddenly and he turned to see what had forced it.

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Anna stood in the doorway, an amused look on her face. "Getting busy with a figment?" He looked back to the bed and found it empty, the new decorations gone and everything back in it's rightful place. He sighed heavily, already missing the vision that had held his attention for such a short time.

"It was enlightening."

"I thought it might be." She moved forward and took a perch at the foot of the bed. She sat down much like a teenager does when bored. She was the picture of agitation, her fingers tapping out rhythms on her thighs.

"So how are you my Casper guide? You are not fully dead."

"Not yet. I will be though." He was quiet for a moment as he considered her words, the dark promises it held.

"How long?"

"That's not important. Not long I guess." She turned to look at him and her eyes held more wisdom than he thought possible from Anna.

"So you are death in this gigantic metaphor that is my life then."

"I suppose you could say that. This lesson you need to learn is not really a life and death decision. It's more of a positive or negative outcome for the future. Events will unfold regardless of your actions but some things could be better if you make the right choice."

"So one way is good and the other is bad?"

"Not inherently. Both ways lead to positives and negatives but somethings can be...better." She reclined back for a moment before rolling onto her side. "I went through a similar experience once."

"Ah."

"It was in the 80s...the 1980s I mean that I was visited. I got to see my future and I saw something that changed my life forever."

"What happened?"

"I saw Jeremy. He was smiling at me and he kissed me. He told me that being a vampire didn't bother him. He told me he wanted me as I am. It made me see things differently. It made my life better."

"And Elena is my chance?"

"Yes. She is the one who could give you true happiness but that doesn't mean anything will be easier. It just means you won't be alone in this eternal damnation thing." They drifted into a companionable silence and Damon took the time to glance at the clock. Sunrise would be in less than an hour and no decision had been made.

"What about her?"

"Elena? What about her?"

"Will I...can I make her happy?" Anna chose not to answer his question while he thought over the possibility. He could claim Elena and make her his. He could love her entirely for years to come. She would accept him possibly but was it the best choice for her? Would she be happier with Stefan or with some human boy? Would she want children? Would she choose to grow old?

"That is not a question I can answer for you. I think you should be asking yourself if YOU can make her happy. Can you not be selfish for all of five minutes to see what she wants and needs? Can you let go of this Katherine obsession and give yourself over to love?"

He didn't answer her but instead turned to look out the window. It was getting light outside, the stars disappearing once more in favor of daylight. The dream would be over soon and he would need to decide if it was real or not.

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"Well I need to get going. Sunrise is my cutoff or I'll turn into a pumpkin."

"Thank you Anna."

"No problem." She stood and walked to the door. "I'll give Lexi your regards. Oh and Damon? That little dream there with Elena...it was real. I just shaped it off of a possible, potential future."

"So it could happen?"

"Yes and by the way, the lingerie is on page 16 of the lingerie catalog that she has in her room. I uh, looked at it the other day."

"Thank you again Anna." She was gone when he glanced up again. It was quiet in the house and he sat for a few moments just considering what he had seen. He stood quickly and rushed down the stairs. He grabbed the bottle of scotch and took a swig, rejoicing in the burning liquid rushing down his throat.

It would be better this way. He would never make her happy. Stefan was much better suited to that. Maybe he'd leave, go away again and stop seeing her. It would be better to leave now and let her find happiness. He took one last swig before standing quickly. He would leave now and not see her again. He moved forward and heard a distinct crunch beneath his feet. Glancing down, his eyes fell on the letter she had left him.

He wanted to move but his eyes were frozen on the careful script. "Please Come," was all he saw as he stared at the paper. He bent down and retrieved his phone, noticing with interest that he had two more text messages. He clicked in to read them,

First Message, Received at 2:37a.m. "Merry Christmas Damon." From Elena.

Second Message, Received at 6:32a.m. "Don't Leave." From Elena.

He gasped at the time stamp, noting that it arrived only a few minutes ago when he had just decided to leave. How had she known? With determined strides, he moved towards the kitchen. Grabbing a bag of blood, he made an important decision. He was dialing a number before he could even begin to understand the choice he had made.

With one last look at the Parlor, he escaped into the morning air. He wouldn't look back this time.

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So here is Chapter 4. I hope you all enjoyed Damon's short visit to the future. Next chapter will be the longest of the entire story. Our hero has a lot of ground to cover now that he has made a choice. Of course Elena must deal with the fallout of this decision. It may be the last chapter since it will be longer but we'll see. Hit the button and let me know how you feel about it.

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