Author's Note: Hello my amazing readers! I would like to say thank you to quizas31. You're incredibly sweet, and I'm so grateful for your support. And a very special thanks to: primaver15. You are the reason that I actually posted this story to begin with. You have been so amazing and supportive. Thank you to: hazelbrie13 for putting up with me and proofing some of my chapters. All you (readers) have been so fantastic. I appreciate you guys so much! This story is my baby. It's my very first fanfiction, and you guys have made it so great to write.

I hope you guys check out my new fics. I have Hallow and Attraction. I have decided that I'm going to start a new ongoing "Staroline" (Stefan/Caroline) fic in answer to a request. I felt so honored to be asked to make a specific fanfiction. Thank you Layla55. I hope you guys check them out! :D

Infinite hugs and junk (appreciation),
Anneryn

I DO NOT OWN VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS,
NOR DO I OWN TWILIGHT OR THE CHARACTERS.

Chapter 18:

I'm lying with Damon on his bed. It's been four days since we've come back from Merrick's prison. We moved my things into Grams house. I didn't actually do a lot of the moving. My body is still recuperating from the strain of my last ascension. I still don't fully understand how I can manipulate spirits. In all honesty, I'm not sure that I want to.

Damon turned on his side, and brushed hair out of my eyes. I looked into his eyes. His eyes. They are so pure. His eyes don't lie; they don't mask anything. Even before I was with Damon, I knew who he was. He never tried to hide how he felt, or who he was. He is true to himself. We are taking things slowly, again. We've kissed, but that's as far as we've gone. I can't go further without breaking down. I'm still trying to get comfortable around people again. It's hard being surrounded, but I despise solitude. Empty rooms and bare walls mock me.

I stayed at Grams' house my first night back. Damon stayed with me. I couldn't bear the thought of being alone again. Jayson moved in with Grams, too. She had more than one extra bedroom. Though I can't wrap my head around the possibility that he was almost my "stepson", it's great having him as a brother.

Gabriel and Chalice decided to stay nearby. They liked Mystic Falls; they just didn't like being forced to reside nearby. They promised to visit often. Surprisingly, that makes me feel better, protected.

I worry about Jeremy. His age frightens me. He is so much wiser than his years. And what he had to endure, because of me… I'll never forgive myself. I've seen him every day since we came back. Kiren has been spending the majority of her time with him. She's drawn to him. I think that they both deserve happiness, and if they can find it in each other, than more power to them.

Stefan and Caroline are still building their relationship, but they are solid together. Caroline still doesn't understand everything that goes on around here, but I think that's a good thing. Too much knowledge is a burden. I still talk to her. Caroline has a way of making things seem accomplish-able. She is supportive, and honest. She's a breath of fresh air, and refreshing. She's an amazing best friend to have. Stefan checks on me constantly. He's like another unofficial big brother. And Damon never leaves my side.

"What's going on in that pretty head of yours?" Damon asked me, quietly. He slipped an arm around my waist. My eyes flickered to him arm, and then to his face. I relaxed a moment after I realized what he did, and that it was in fact him doing it. He brought his other hand to my face. He cupped my cheek, and brushed my chin with his thumb. I shuddered.

Even after everything, his touch is still intoxicating. It terrifies me. He rubbed his thumb over my bottom lip. I gasped. He looked into my eyes, and the corners of his lips turn upward, slightly. He got the reaction he wanted.

"Everything," I told him, truthfully. He nodded, and continued to caress my softly. He always treats me like I'm something fragile. I might break if he isn't careful enough. Like I am his sacred treasure that he must protect.

"Do you miss your Dad?" He asked. I lulled over his question. The truth is: that I do miss him. But, he's never really been around. I haven't seen my father in months. He decided to permanently relocate to La Jolla, California. He practically lived there before, for work purposes. Since I moved in with Grams, he really had no reason to stay in Mystic Falls. He promised to visit.

"I do. I miss a lot of things." I told him. He nodded. He looked at me; I saw his melancholy eyes. A wave of sadness rushed through me. I immediately regretted my words. I don't want him to feel worse than he already does. But, I've always been honest with him. He's the one person I tell almost everything to.

"You don't have to keep things from me, love." He told me. Damn it. I hate when he gets inside my head.

"Stop listening to my thoughts." I scolded him. For the first time in awhile, I saw him smile: a smile that reached his eyes, and lit up all of his features. He's smiling at me.

"I missed this." He said. I gave him a small smile. I studied his face, trying to mesmerize every detail. My memories of him didn't do him justice.

"My God…" I breathed. He looked at my curiously. "You're beautiful." I told him. I expected him to say something sarcastic. He leaned forward, until I could feel his breath dancing across my face. He inched closer, until our lips almost touching… so close.

"I'm not the beautiful one here, love." He whispered against my lips. His voice sent chills down my spine. Why can't it be this easy? It shouldn't have to be this hard. I love him. With every fiber in my being, I know that I am in love with Damon Salvatore. Nothing changes that.

"I thought I lost you." He whispered against my mouth. He brought his lips softly to mine. My stomach fluttered. He shifted his position. He's lying on top of me. I can feel the heat that is trapped between our bodies. I missed this. I missed him. I missed… everything. He pulled away, and looked at me. "Is this okay?" He asked.

I looked into his eyes, and nodded. I want this. I don't want to be afraid of this…. Afraid of him…. I want to try. I don't want to feel like this anymore. He nodded. Did he hear my thoughts? He averted his eyes, then looked at me. He nodded, slowly. I felt tears well in my eyes. I can't explain why I feel like this, or how. The oddest things trigger my moods. He kissed my tears away. His lips found my mouth. I kissed him back. We laid there, kissing, embracing. He slipped a hand under me, and pulled me closer to him.

He kissed my neck, and returned to my abandoned lips. His tongue ran across my bottom lip. He pulled away, and just held me. I was left… unsatisfied. He's afraid to hurt me. I'm not fragile. I'm not going to break. For whatever reason, his gentleness enraged the fury burning inside of me. I growled. He looked at me, shocked and amused.

"I'm not going to break, if you kiss me Damon." I told him. I know my eyes are pleading. I'm not being fair to him. I'm not being fair at all. He knows I need space, but I get pissed at him when he pulls away, after doing what he knows I need. What's wrong with me?

He said I was strong. Why can't he treat me like I am? I need him to go back to the way that things used to be. I need to know that we can get back to what we were. I love him so much it hurts. If Merrick can take away what we have… I've lost everything. I can't lose this. I can't lose him.

He looked into my eyes, trying to understand. Something tells me that… he does, at least for the most part. I grabbed the back of his neck with my hand. He didn't break our gaze. I pulled him closer to me, roughly. I pushed my lips against his, with a fierceness that I normally don't possess. He didn't pull away this time. I pulled back, just barely. He looked at me with his smoldering eyes. He's breathing heavily.

"Bonnie, do you want this?" He asked me. I looked at him.

"I need this, Damon. Please… don't stop. Don't stop until I tell you to." I told him. Trying to will him to hear what I am saying. He nodded.

"Not until you say so, my love. Are you sure? Because things are going to get rough." He cautioned. I nodded. He slammed his lips against mine, roughly. He's on top of me, again. He's putting is weight on me, this time. One of my hands in fused with his hair. My other is digging in his back. He parted my legs, and slipped inside, to get closer. His arm slid underneath me, bringing me closer to him. This time, he isn't being gentle. Gentle wasn't what I wanted.

I need to feel like I'm not going to break.

I switched our positions. I straddled him, and pinned his arms over his head. Our lips never left each other's. I thrust my tongue inside of his mouth. They wrestled for dominance, while I tried to lift his shirt of his head, one handed. He rolled on top of me, and pulled away to rip his shirt off, and throw it to the floor. He picked me up, and had me straddling his lap. He's in control now.

He hands are roaming everywhere. He is nuzzling my neck. Biting it; teasing it. I crave the pain. When I'm with Damon, I don't feel as dirty. I have to overcome this… or it will haunt me for the rest of my life. I can't live like that. He pushed his head away from my neck, and held it still between my hands. His eyes are black with lust and hunger. His canine teeth are extended. He looks ravenous. He embodies fearlessness and perfection.

I kissed him. I caught his bottom lip between my teeth, and teased his mouth. He growled. His hands slid under shirt, and began to push it off. I started to shake, slightly. I'm not stopping. He pulled it off and threw it somewhere on the floor. He pushed me back onto the bed and flattened himself on top of me. It began hard to differentiate my body from his. We became a tangled web of bodies, in a heated frenzy.

I tightened my legs around him, as I felt him harden underneath of me. A few lone tears fell from my eyes. Damon's demeanor changed. His eyes softened with concern. I see him battle his thoughts inside of his head, through his eyes. They say everything. He doesn't want to take things too far or hurt me. But, he wants to do what I asked. I'm not sure he understands why this is important to me. Why I need to do this…

He started to kiss my tears away, but pushed his face away, gently. I wiped my tears away and looked at him, softly.

"Bonnie," he cautioned. I held my gaze.

"Don't stop." I told him. He looks torn.

"You know that under normal circumstances, this wouldn't be a problem. I would have already taken you. There is nothing I want more than to… make love with you. But, I don't want you to hate me later… I don't want to hate myself." He said. He started to lift himself off of me. I moved my legs, and released my hold on him. Why does he have to be so perfect? Or make so much sense.

"Damon," I started, but my voice broke. He started to embrace me, but I shook my head. "I need to know that I can do this. I need to know that I am not going to break. I need to know that you know that I'm not fucking fragile." I told him, choking back tears.

I'm not sure when during the process, of being held captive that I became so damned weak. I don't feel like I can control anything. I need this. I need pure feeling. I need raw, uncensored, pure sensations. I need to feel the love and lust between us. I need to remember that sex isn't always like that. I need to remember that I can feel something more than disgust, being unclean, and in pain. I don't want fake feelings of joy. I need to be in control. I need Damon to help me through this. I just need… I need him.

His fingers trailed down my cheek, gently, bringing me back to reality. He has melancholy eyes. I know he heard my thoughts. He brought his lips to my temple. He squeezed his eyes shut.

"If I could take your pain away… I would. Why didn't you tell me what you're feeling?" He struggled to say.

"I couldn't. How can I explain something that I don't even understand?" I asked him. I need to know that he still wants me. If he still wants me… He deserves someone who isn't damaged. He deserves someone better than me. I feel so dirty. I don't ever feel clean. I'm tainted. He should have someone pure. He glared at me.

"How could you ever think that I don't want you? No one is better than you than you for me! You are my other half! You are not damaged. That sick bastard made you feel that way… He can't hurt you anymore, love. He's dead. That sorry cunt is dead." He started yelling, but his yelling calmed to soothing.

My tears fell. A warm sensation flowed through me. How can he still want me? I don't understand why, but I am sure as hell glad that he does.

"I love you." He said. I gave him a small smile. "We are going to get through this. Things will get better…" He told me. He kissed me, this time it wasn't timid. His lips captured mine. I kissed him back. His hand traveled down my side and down my leg. He ran his hand back up my leg, and hitched it his side. I wrapped around his waist. His hand occupied itself, making small stomachs below my navel. I moaned into his mouth.

He slipped his tongue into my mouth. He elicited another moan from me. Knowing that he still wants me, loves me woke up something even more primal inside of me. He pulled away, allowing me to breathe. I panted as me kissed my neck, and groped my side. I closed my eyes, enjoying the pleasure. He hooked my other leg around his waist. I tightened my grip around his waist, bringing him closer to me. One of my arms wrapped around his neck, my other slid down his back. I cupped his backside. He growled; I smiled.

I brought my hand back to his chest, and let my fingers explore his top half. I kissed his neck, and sucked gently. He groaned. I love when he makes that sound. I bit his neck playfully. He growled, and brought his lips crashing to mine. He ground his hips into mine. I moaned into his mouth. The heat between us became inflamed. The rocking became more frantic. I matched his almost primal thrusts. I need him. I need him now.

"Damon," I choked out. He looked at me and nodded.

"Is this too fast?" He asked, out of breath. I shook my head. I looked him in the eyes.

"I need this." I told him. He nodded, and smirked. I smiled. I missed his signature smirk. He isn't the same without it. He picked me up, and laid my head on a pillow at the head of the bed. He slid me in between the black sheets covering his bed. He crawled on top of me. My breath caught. I remember our first time together. It was under different circumstances… but still, in a sick way, initiated by Merrick. Whether he meant to or not, he's brought us closer together.

Damon gently pulled my basketball shorts off. He looked at me with hungry, loving eyes.

"Bonnie…"he said in a low voice. I looked at him questioningly. It was hard not to close my eyes. I love when his voice sounds like that. It does something to me… It's unbelievably sexy. "I forgot how beautiful you were." He said. I looked at him confused. Before I could say anything, he explained. "I feel like it's been ages since I've seen all of your body. But it's not the same, you've got battle scars now." He said, drinking me in. I shuddered.

Which scars is he talking about? He traced the small scars scattered on my legs. The scars from the mirror than Merrick threw me into. He moved his fingers along the scars on my back. I shuddered involuntarily. Remembering being thrown against the broken glass.

His fingers changed course and traveled across my abdomen slowly. I watched as his hand traced my new scars. They'll never leave me. I'll always have them to remind me what happened. Some things you just can't erase. I remember those demons clawing me open from the inside. The pain was…

Damon brought his face to mine.

"You know, guys dig scars. Especially on a stunning woman." Damon said, bringing me out of my thoughts. My mouth twitched, and I smiled.

"Is that right?" I asked him. He nodded. He smirked.

"Oh yeah, it's hot." He said, winking at me. I rolled my eyes. His lips are so close to mine. I can feel his breath on my face. He closed the gap between us with his lips. My mouth opened automatically to allow his tongue access. His hand continued to brush my stomach, going lower, and lower. His fingers rubbed my womanhood, and slid under my panties. He slowly pulled them off. He looked at me as he dropped them to the floor. He flattened himself back on top of me. I can feel his jeans on my bare skin.

His hand went into my hair and his other to my back. I clutched his back. We broke away momentarily. He can feel his breath, panting in my ear. I love the sounds he makes. His fingers found my bra clasp. I shook my head.

"Your turn." I told him. He looked at me and smirked. I moved a hand from his back, to his chest. I let my fingers travel down his chest. I fingered his abs. I stopped at his navel. I looked into his eyes.

"Don't stop." He encouraged. I moved my hand to his back, ignoring his request. He glared at me. I grinned. I moved my hand back to his navel. "Evil," he murmured. I smirked at him. I unbuttoned his pants. I unzipped them; he caught my hand. He eased himself off of me. He got off of the bed. I started to close my legs, and watch him undress. He looked at me wickedly. He leaned over me, and opened my legs. It feels weird lying here, with my legs open for the world to see. I have to remind myself that we're in his room.

"You didn't lock the door." I reminded him. He walked over to the door. He started to open it. I hissed at him. He chuckled. He shut and locked the door. He turned back around to face me. I glared at him. He took his pants off and kicked them next to the rest of our abandoned clothes. He came back to bed, and positioned himself in between my opened legs.

He smirked at me. I rolled my eyes. My irritation was quickly lost and turned into wanting. He reached behind me, and undid the clasp on my bra. He gently took it off, and threw it to the floor. I wrapped my arms around his neck. His arms wrapped around my back. I can feel his chest against me. He nuzzled my neck. My skin is tingling.

This is nothing like what Merrick made me do with him. I tried to barricade Merrick from my mind. I closed my eyes, and let myself get lost in the moment.

He pulled me even closer to him. I lifted my legs to his sides. He used one of his hands to secure a leg around his middle. I wrapped the other around his waist. He kissed me. Nothing about this kiss is innocent. He stroked my breast as the kiss deepened. I wasn't expecting it; my back arched against him. It feels like he is trying to explore every inch of my mouth with his tongue. He swallowed my gasp in his mouth.

He let his fingers leave a feather light trail from my navel to my womanhood. He applied pressure with his fingers, and started massaging me. My grip on him tightened. He moved his hand, and positioned himself above my entrance.

He looked me in the eyes. I anticipated his entry. He thrust inside of me. I cried out. His mouth caught my cries. I tried to match his thrusts. I feel so inexperienced compared to him. In times like these, I'm grateful for his experience.

He moved his mouth off of mine. I swallowed air like my life depended on it. I didn't realize how long I had gone without breathing.

I caressed him as best as I could. I want him close to me. His hands roamed and groped my body. I clutched his back. The thrusts became harder and reached farther than they ever have before. Though our lovemaking now has the sense of brutality that it's never had before, it also has an indescribable sense of loving gentleness that I cannot describe.

I know that I'll never find what I have with Damon, with anyone else. I love him. I didn't think that I would be able to do this. I know that I'll still have to ease my way back into everything, and that right now doesn't change a lot of things. But if I can do this with him, and remember that this is supposed to be something sacred, and not something forced, then I know that I can overcome the other things with him at my side.

I grinded my hips against his trying to meet his thrusts. I moved my mouth to his neck and started sucking, not all too gently.

"Bonnie," he moaned. I almost lost it, right there. Something about hearing my name on his lips… His thrusts deepened. I groaned.

"Damon," I gasped. He smirked, briefly. Our rhythmic movements are becoming more and more frantic. My body is starting to tingle. I can feel myself shaking; I know I'm flying off of the edge. I cried out his name.

Damon kept going. I tried to respond as I rode out my bliss. We rolled on the bed and switched positions. His hands clutched each side of my waist to him. He pulled my face down to his as I moved, and he thrusted. As he kissed me, I swore that our lips were magnets.

He switched our positions, again, taking control. He held me to him. He kissed my neck. His kisses turned into nips. He bit me. I moaned and called out his name, as I climaxed, again. I felt him follow soon after me. He pulled away, and licked my neck clean. I closed my eyes, and tried to catch my breath. I waited for my heart to slow.

He pulled out of me, and lied next to me. He pulled me into his arms, and held me. I was shaking. At least I wasn't crying. It's a step. A small step, but a step nonetheless. He kissed my face, leaving a tingling trail where his lips had been. After awhile, I started to fall asleep. For the first time, in what seems like a long time, he chased away the nightmares

I woke up, strangely at ease. I looked around the room and let out a sigh of relief. I remember what happened last night. I sat up, gingerly. I'm alone in bed. I can hear the water running in the bathroom. Damon's probably in the shower. I laid back down, and enjoyed the tranquility. It's a comfortable silent… something I haven't had in awhile. I fell back into a light sleep.

I woke to an arm snaking gently around my middle. I opened my eyes, and found Damon lying beside me. He was holding me to his chest. I snuggled closer. He put something around my neck. My hand touched my neck. It's a chain, with something hanging off of it. I looked at him questioningly. He didn't say anything. I lifted up the necklace, and looked at it closely. There is a ring acting as a charm, on it. It's beautiful.

It looks like white gold. There is a diamond settled in the middle of it. It's surrounded my tiny colorful stones. There is something unique about this ring, despite its appearance. There is a sort of calming energy that radiates off if it. It's more than that…

I looked up at Damon. Maybe he'll answer my questions.

"What is this, Damon?" I asked him a soft voice. He smiled at me. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully, afraid to say the wrong thing.

"It's a promise." He told me, finally. I nodded slowly, still not quite understanding. He must have realized my confusion. He smirked. Maybe my confusion is what he wanted… or needed to explain this…

"It's a promise that sometime in the future, if you'll have me, you'll become my lovely bride." He explained. My breath caught in my throat. Did he just…? Did he just say that… Oh my goddess. My mouth hung open in shock.

"Breathe, Bonnie. Breathe." He reminded me. I didn't realize that I still hadn't breathed. I took in a shaky breath. Marriage? He wants to be my husband? Marriage is forever… Is that what I want? Of course it is. I want my forever to be with Damon. As long as I'm on this twisted planet, I want Damon to be by my side. Honestly, I can't imagine it any other way.

Damon leaned his face closer to me, and kissed me. He pulled away, trying to get a reaction.

"Will you be mine?" He asked, nuzzling my neck. I gasped, and seemed to come out of my shock. I looked up at him. The color seemed to drain from his face. Does he think I won't accept?

"Always." I told him. He smiled, and picked me up. He pulled me onto his lap, and held me.

"You have no idea how happy you've just made me." He said.

"I think I do. Probably as happy as you've made me." I whispered. I don't have to see his face to know to know he's smiling. Damon's bedroom door opened. He must have unlocked it. Stefan came into the room, beaming.

"I hear that you are going to be my sister-in-law." He gloated. I smiled and nodded.

"You heard right… but does that mean you were eavesdropping?" I asked, cautiously. I hope he wasn't listening all night, if he was. Can you say 'awkward'? Stefan and Damon chuckled. Had they heard my thoughts? They really need to stop doing that.

"I was only listening this morning." He assured me. Damon sat me down the bed, and got up to say something to Stefan. Damon smiled at me before heading back to the bathroom. Stefan walked over to my side of the bed, and kissed my forehead, and hugged me. He pulled away, blushing.

"What?" I asked him. He motioned to me. I looked down. I'm only wearing a sheet. It isn't showing anything, but it's still embarrassing. My face flushed red. Stefan chuckled. He left. Damon came out of the bathroom, and held his hand to me. I got off of the bed, and walked over to him.

"A shower for my bride to be?" He asked. I gave him a playful glare.

"Stop that." I scolded him. I really hope that he's not going to go around calling me his 'bride to be' all of the time. He chuckled.

"Okay, Mrs. Salvatore." He teased. I scowled. He laughed. I really don't mind the sound of that, but he's trying to annoy me. He took my sheet, and I got into the shower. I stood there, for a moment, just enjoying the feeling of the hot water cascading over my body. I jumped when I felt someone stand behind me. I turned around to face a smirking Damon.

"Didn't you just shower?" I asked him. He nodded.

"I don't think there's a rule about how many showers you can take… or how clean…" He explained. I put my hand to his mouth, to get him to stop talking. He smirked.

"I'm trying to annoy you. Is it working?" He asked. I shook my head defiantly. "Shame, you look so sexy when you're angry." He told me. With that, he pinned me to the shower wall. I couldn't move. His body is making an unbreakable wall.

"This is your idea of pissing me off?" I asked him. He smirked and shook his head.

"No, this is my idea of giving up pissing you off, and kissing you, instead. Too much effort…" He joked. I nodded. He leaned forward to kiss me. I turned my head, so he got my cheek. He growled. "That was cold." He said. I smirked.

"Nope, this is cold." I told him. I reached behind him, and switched the water temperature. He flinched in surprise. He got hit with the cold water full force. He started tickling me. I squealed, and tried to go around him, out of his reach. He caught me by my waist. He continued to tickle me. I started to fall forward, but he caught me. He both fell to the floor.

His hands pinned my arms above me. He started kissing my stomach. I laughed uncontrollably. His stubble is tickling me. He's doing it on purpose. I squealed with laughter.

"Jerk," I choked out in between laughs. He snickered, as his face kept tickling me. I writhed underneath of him. He moved his mouth to my neck. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so damn ticklish. He reached behind him and turned the hot water back on. The bathroom filled with my cackles of laughter.

"You don't cackle." He argued. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm a witch; aren't I?" I contradicted. He smirked. He started tickling my sides. I shook with laughter.

Suddenly, I felt a wave of cool air wash over me. I turned my head to find the source, still giggling. Damon's head followed my gaze.

"Oh, wow. I'm so sorry. I heard falling, and then screaming, and laughing. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay." Caroline said, shielding her eyes. She's unmistakably red. I couldn't help myself. I laughed at her reaction. Damon didn't move, he covered my body with his, shielding me from her view.

"You just had to see me naked. Didn't you?" Damon asked, sarcastically. Caroline's blush deepened. She shut the shower door before answering him.

"No, I just wanted to make sure Bonnie was okay. It didn't occur to me that she wouldn't be showering alone. And, I tried to get your attention before I opened the door. I knocked and everything, before I opened the shower door. I just don't think you heard me. I'm really sorry." She fumbled over her apology.

"It's okay Caroline. Don't worry about it. We'll be downstairs in a bit." I told her. I heard her leave the bathroom and shut the door behind her. Damon snickered. I pinched his arm. He glared at me.

"What was that for?" He asked.

"For teasing Caroline. She was already embarrassed enough as it is." I told him. He nodded.

"Well, if we are supposed to be down there soon, I should probably get you clean." He stated.

"You gave up on being super clean?" I asked him. He smirked.

"I'm already clean." He stated. I rolled my eyes. He stood up, and helped me up.

"I don't think you can ever be clean with as dirty as your mind is." I argued. He laughed and began washing me.

After the shower, we both dressed, and went downstairs. The smell of food cooking made my stomach growl. Damon laughed as we finished going down the stairs. I swatted his arm. He caught my arm and grabbed my hand. He slipped his fingers in between mine, and we held hands, as we walked to the kitchen. Everyone's here. Well, almost everyone.

Grams is sitting next to Carlisle. Stefan and Caroline are sitting next to each other… well; she's sitting on his lap. It's an adorable sight to see. Jeremy and Kiren are sitting next to each other, next to Grams. Sebastian and Chalice are sitting next to each other on the opposite side of the table. Jayson is sitting next to Gabriel, and Jeremy. Everyone is here, everyone except for Elena and Matt.

Damon and I sat down next to Caroline. There'd food waiting to be eaten on the table. This is nice. This is exactly the normalcy that I crave.

"You did it, Bon Bon." Grams said. I smiled at her. She's right. I couldn't see it before, but she's right. I made it through everything. I never thought that I would, but somehow I did. Her eyes caught my necklace. She beamed. She stood up, and pulled me into a hug. She kissed my cheek, and went to embrace Damon.

"I'll happy to have you as my grandson, both you and Stefan." She said happily. No one else seemed to catch on.

"You chose well." She told Damon. He nodded.

"I tried." He told her. Grams lifted my necklace, and inspected the ring further. Everyone saw the ring this time. They gasped and offered their congratulations. We sat back down and started eating.

The room started to shake. A silvery shadow started to appear in front of the table. Oh, no. Not again. Emily materialized.

"Emily?" I asked uncertainly. She nodded, and faced me. Her voice filled the room.

"Bonnie, you've done well. You've surpassed all of the obstacles necessary to defeat Merrick, and manifest into your powers." She declared. She looks like she has more to say.

"Thanks… I think." I told her. Where is she going at?

"Your existence was predestined. You are meant to do great feats. You still haven't matured into all of your powers. Never before has any witch had more than two elements. By the end of your time, you will have control over at least five. You do not understand what is expected of you yet." Emily continued to explain.

I couldn't say anything. I still have to mature into more of my powers? What else am I expected to do?

"After you conquered Merrick, you thought that it was over. There are more challenges that you will come to face. You will not be alone, but it will be challenging nonetheless." Emily told me.

"What else is destined for me?" I asked her, afraid to hear the answer. She looked at me steadily. I felt Damon's hand slip into my own. He gave my hand a quick squeeze.

'Whatever you have to do, or you have to face… we'll do it together.' He sent me.

'I love you.' I sent him.

'You have my heart, always.' He sent me back. He kissed the side of my face. Emily smiled.

"It was destined for you to wed a vampire mate. Together you will be one of the most powerful couples in supernatural history. It was said that you would lose your mother. And you would triumph over a great evil that has plagued this world for centuries. He would take your body, but not your soul. He would not break you. It was written that you could not bear children until the time has come. Your offspring will surpass your abilities, and continue lead this world out of the darkness after your reign has ended." Emily explained.

My mind went blank. I'm supposed to do what? I will be able to give birth to a child? Does that mean that Damon is going to be the father?

"You thought that you fight was over. This is just the beginning." Emily revealed. Silence filled the room.

Author's Note: There it is: the last and final chapter of this story. I hope you all enjoyed it! Please review and let me know what your thoughts are. I thought that this would be the best way to end this.

Hugs and junk,
Anneryn