Ah, this is it! I cannot believe this is the last chapter! This whole story started out as a one-shot and it turned into so much more all thanks to you loyal readers! I am soooo happy with the outcome because this was my first real multi-chapter story for Vampire Diaries. My first attempt crashed and burned…*cough Dealing with Katherine, which was deleted cough* So I appreciate everyone for his or her kind words and reviews, alerts, favorites, and everything else! :) You all were the reason I was able to finish this story. :) So thank you so much for the support and I really hope everyone enjoys the last chapter of I Saved Your Life. -I Own Nothing -Lioness002
P.S. A very special thank you to bibi 13ca for editing this chapter, it looks and flows so much better because of you! You have been so amazing, thank you! :)
Elena slept peacefully for the next three hours with me silently watching over her. A few times she mumbled my name and clutched at my shirt in her sleep, but I lightly rubbed her shoulder and I reassured her that I was still there. I wasn't going to leave, I didn't want to leave. The idea of me holding Elena while she slept was something I had thought about for a very long time, but never in a million years would I have expected for it to actually happen. This whole situation right now was beyond messed up, less than twelve hours ago she was my baby brother's girlfriend and I now I was holding her hot and sweaty in my arms.
Around six thirty in the morning Elena woke up for good this time, not just half way. I tensed in preparation for the screaming and hitting, thinking that it would happen no matter what, but it hadn't come, at least not yet. When her eyes fluttered open she looked up at me groggily and tensed. I could almost see her brain trying to work out what had happened the night before.
"You stayed." She said unsurely.
"You asked me too." I defended as I rubbed her shoulder making sure she was really awake.
"I know." She yawned pulling away from me and crossing her legs on the bed. I was saddened by the loss of contact and warmth Elena carried, but I have to be thankful for the fact I got one night to hold her. Elena felt comfortable enough to want me there, and I was all too willing to hold her. Elena has an affect on me like no one else; she makes me feel things that I thought I would never feel again. When I am with her I feel wanted and loved. That maybe there is a chance for me to be happy with her. That maybe I won't always be the monster people think I am. "And I'm not regretting it, I'm glad you stayed." She continued breaking me from my thoughts.
"Really?" I asked unsure.
"Yeah, I am." She said rubbing her arm awkwardly. "I'll even tell you a secret, tonight was the first time I actually got to sleep in weeks, all thanks to you."
"Well maybe we can make a habit out of sleeping together." I teased doing that 'eye thing' - as she calls it, at her. Elena flushed and grabbed a pillow from her side and threw it at my face.
"So not what I meant, Damon." She said before the corners of her lips pulled into a faint smile and she tried to hide a laugh. I pulled the pillow away from my face and smirked.
"Well, at least I made you laugh, I forgot you could laugh."
"I laugh." Elena defended puffing up her cheeks in annoyance. I shook my head with a smirk.
"You're in denial. When was the last time you laughed; like actually laugh?" I asked. Elena stayed quiet and thought about that.
"Well what about you? When was the last time you laughed?" Elena quipped.
"Hey, don't answer a question with a question. I'm serious, when was the last time you laughed?" Elena let out a long breath and looked at me crossly.
"Georgia." She said honestly.
"Well, then it will be my goal to make you laugh again." I said before I quickly pounced on her. She let out a surprised squeak and I put my hand over her mouth before is started to tickle her sides. She let out muffled bouts of laughter as she wiggled under me and squeezed her eyes shut trying to stop her laughing.
"You don't want to wake up Jeremy and Jenna do you?" I whispered into her ear as I quit tickling her. She shook her head and I removed my hand from her mouth. "Good." She let out a large breath and looked up at me with flushed cheeks and a wide smile. I looked down at her and smirked.
"Okay, you made me laugh. You can always make me laugh." She said pushing me away, sitting up, and gently hitting my shoulder.
"What was that for?" I asked.
"For attacking me."
"I didn't attack you, I tickled you, there's a difference."
"Fine, I hit you for tickling me." She said. I smiled at her and she sat smiling at me for a few more seconds before something in her demeanor changed, suddenly her smile faded.
"What's wrong?" I asked worriedly.
"Did…did Stefan…leave?" She asked staring at me. I sighed, here it comes, the regret and the realization she made a huge mistake.
"Yeah, he came to the Boarding House, packed a bag, and just…left." I said watching for any sign that would indicate Elena would start crying. But she didn't start crying; she just nodded and looked over at me with a confident gaze. I was confused, I had expected the worst, but she didn't even seem fazed, it was like she had expected this. "Are you alright? You don't seem…" I stopped looking for a better word.
"Sad, depressed, heartbroken?" Elena said filling the empty spaces.
"Yeah, why?" Elena stayed silent for a minute before shrugging.
"I guess I just…expected it after he left last night. I had the feeling that when he heard I didn't love him as much as I used to, that it would be goodbye, at least for now." She whispered combing through a small clump of her hair.
"Why?" I asked.
"Why what?" She asked confused.
"Why don't you love him as much anymore?" I clarified. She didn't answer right away; she looked at me and took a deep breath.
"You know."
"No, I don't. Please Elena, say the words, I need to hear you say it. I need you to make it real." I practically begged. This was the turning point, if she said she loved me then everything would be different, we would be different.
"I don't love Stefan as much as I used to because somewhere along the way in our crazy and messed up lives, I started to fall for you. I don't know how, but really it doesn't matter. I guess when I really think about it, it's because you were always a mystery to me. I could see more than just the evil vampire you wanted everyone to believe you were, I looked passed that and saw something exceptional. I didn't understand why you would put yourself through emotional turmoil just to keep up your bad-ass vampire rep. I didn't understand it because when I got to know you, I saw a passionate and devoted man that would do anything for the people he cares about; and I liked what I saw."
Elena let out a deep breath and hesitantly interlaced her fingers with mine.
"I'm sorry I spent so much time fighting my feelings for you. I know I hurt you in more ways than one. I was scared of my feelings, I was afraid I would become Katherine. I should have been honest about my feelings; I shouldn't have pushed you away or kept you at a distance. By trying to protect myself, I hurt you."
She said shaking her head sadly.
"From the first time I saw you, I was able to see through the walls you created around you. I saw through you even if you didn't like it, I saw the sweet and passionate Damon that you tried to hide from the world. The side you only show me." She paused as if waiting to hear what I had to say but I remained silent. So far she had struck me mute, she had fallen in love with me, it wasn't a dream or some messed up prank, it was real. Elena Gilbert was sitting in front of me expressing all of the emotions she had been holding in for God knows how long. I was overwhelmed, never in a million years had I expected this strong of a reaction.
"Damon," she said looking me straight in the eye, her chocolate eyes meeting my ice blue ones, "I am so sorry for all of the emotional turmoil I have put you through, I don't think I can make that any clearer. I am finally listening to my heart and not the people around me. Really, all I'm trying to do is tell you that I love you."
She said it, those three words I had been craving, hoping, and praying for since I met her. I couldn't believe my ears; the reason for my prolonged existence was now making my dreams come true.
"Damon?" Elena ventured. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, I'm better than alright. You have no idea what your words mean to me, what you mean to me." Elena looked shocked by my sudden outcome of emotions; I was betting she didn't know how her confession would go over.
"Elena, you have done so much for me, more than just open my eyes or making me change for the better. You gave me a purpose, a sense of want and love. You looked past all of my issues and flaws and really saw me for me. You gave me chance after chance when I didn't even deserve it, but I tried every time to be better for you. You pushed me when I didn't want to be pushed or I when wanted to give up and feel nothing, but you wouldn't let me. You did something for me that you don't even realize; you gave me back my humanity, the one thing that I have missed more than anything. I can't thank you enough for doing that for me, and I promise I will do everything in my power to make it up to you." Elena smiled and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.
"You're welcome." She whispered into my ear. When she pulled away I gently began caressing her cheek. I felt her pulse pick up and her heart begin beating like it was trying to break free of her chest. She saw me looking at her and blushed, I couldn't help but smile.
"Am I making you nervous, Elena?" I teased. She shook her head but her heart rate gave her away and she knew it. "I am making you nervous aren't I? I mean, you did just declare your love for me." I said.
"Yes, I did…and you didn't say it back…" She mumbled which made me smile.
"Do I really have to tell you? I thought you knew; the whole town knows…"
"I know, but I want to hear you say it." She whispered.
"I love you Elena Gilbert." I said honestly trying my best to convey how much I meant my words. I wanted her to believe me and not for a second think it was untrue. Elena's face lit up in glee as she squeezed me tighter.
"I love you too, Damon." She murmured resting her forehead against mine and inching close enough for our lips to be brushing. The proximity of our lips did not go unnoticed to me as I stroked her cheek. Elena's heart was beating madly in her chest because we both knew what would come next. Elena timidly placed her hand behind my neck and let out a breath. "Damon?" She whispered.
"Hmm?"
"Are you going to kiss me?" She asked softly as she bit her bottom lip.
I didn't need to be asked twice. I crushed my lips to Elena's trying to make her feel all my love, passion, and dedication to her, make her feel that I loved her just as much and even more than she loved me. I felt her arms snake around my neck pulling me closer and deepening the kiss as one of my arms wrapped around her waist locking her to me. I felt Elena shudder as our lips molded perfectly together. I gently nipped at her bottom lip and she gasped in shock or pleasure I couldn't be sure, I took that opportunity to slip my tongue in her mouth. Elena moaned as our tongues battled for dominance and I ran my hands along her sides and hips.
Elena was the first to pull away for need of air. She and I sat panting on her bed, foreheads still touching. Elena smiled at me and took a few deep breaths.
"Wow." She whispered.
"Yeah." I answered lying down and still holding her tiny body in my arms. Elena nuzzled into my neck and clasped her hand with mine. "So, what now?" I asked.
"Who knows? Let's just see where the road takes us." She giggled propping herself up on my chest with her elbows.
"Alright." I whispered gently caressing her cheek and touching my lips to hers. While our first kiss had been hard and desperate, this kiss was slow, sweet, and full of love. This love was for us and us alone, this kiss gave us the promise of loving each other forever.
Haha, yay! That is it everyone! Thanks for sticking with me through this completely crazy ride, I think all of you can agree that it was a wild one. :) My deepest thanks to everyone and please be SUPER nice and leave me one last review for this chapter, it would make the ending feel all the more real and special. So thanks again and I really hope I did not disappoint. I hope to catch all of you for my next story whenever it comes out or I think of it! Now I get to write for Lost in Time and As He Lay Dying again, which, just to let everyone know, I updated a few days ago. Thank you! :D
Lots of Love, Lioness002