A/N: Sooo…I decided to continue this finally. I can be REALLY bad about not updating, but only because I rarely find the right inspiration or motivation to. Which means, I barely get any reviews, even though I work really hard on these stories. Well…hopefully, you guys will catch on to my hints. Ahem…anywho, carry on with your reading, lovelies.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries, because if I did…the irresistible chemistry between Damon and Elena would lead them to more than just slightly flirty, half-the-time-fighting, friends. ;)

Part 2: New Year's Eve

EPOV

As I drove through the all too familiar suburban neighborhood, I pointed out my old house and then kept driving down the street towards my brother's house.

"I can't believe someone as big and famous as you are grew up in such a small town like Mystic Falls, Virginia," Damon said, smirking.

"Well, we've all got to start somewhere, right? Where are you from, anyways?" I winked. Then, I parked in the driveway of a tannish-brown bricked house with crème stucco.

"Pretty house," he commented, gazing at it for a moment before his gaze slid back to me, "But I was from Florence, actually. I lived there until I was ten, and my mother became ill. My father knew she was dying, and he sent me to live in the States with my uncle. I never got to live there again."

I didn't want to see him upset, so I grabbed his face playfully, hoping to make the little frown he was wearing disappear.

"Now's not the time to talk about that, so we'll tuck that away for another day, okay? Honey-bunny, it's time to go face the music, so let's go!" I said faux-cheerfully. I crossed my fingers and prayed that everything would work out. Did I mention that anytime pet names were used now, it was our little running joke?

"Too true, although I am glad we're here…because we're together," he told me, covering my hands, which were still resting on his face, with his own. It was amazing how well our relationship had blossomed so quickly. He kissed me chastely before we walked right up to the door and knocked.

Bonnie came to the door and I quickly attacked her with a hug, "BONNIE!"

"ELENA," she laughed, then she paused abruptly. "Would you like to explain to me what Damon Salvatore's business is on my doorstep?" she asked, pulling away from me with an upset expression.

Damon shifted awkwardly as he explained, "I came with Elena…because I really wanted to apologize to all of you about what happened 2 years ago…especially to Maggie. I have an explanation, but it might not really be something you'd want your daughter to know about."

Bonnie said nothing, simply choosing to look at me for confirmation of his story. I nodded, so she stepped aside so that he could come in. Just then, my brother walked by and saw me. I bulldozed toward him, yelling, "JER! It's been too long!"

He hugged me tight and picked me up, and I laughed as he put me down, feeling happiness bubble through me in a way it hadn't in a long time.

"Where's Maggie?" I asked, coming back over to stand by Damon, who looked nervous. I had already called Jeremy beforehand to tell him about Damon, and all he'd said was "Good, it's about time that ass swipe said he was sorry…although I never thought he would anyways."

"Oh, Damon…I'm sorry. I'm incredibly rude, this is Jeremy and Bonnie Gilbert, my brother and sister," I said, feeling awkward. Damon evidently felt even worse than I did because he just attempted a small smile and a little wave.

"Yeah, I was playing Guitar Hero with Maggie, to answer your earlier question, Elena. We just paused it though, so…" Jeremy paused, leading us into the rec-room.

"Maggie, look who came to see you!" Bonnie said, gesturing to me. Maggie automatically leaped into my arms, squeezing me so tightly that she hadn't even noticed Damon yet, who was hovering in the doorframe of the room.

"Aunt Elena, I have missed you so mu-" she broke off, looking over my shoulder and noticing Damon for the first time. I let her down gently, kissing her forehead, as Damon said,

"Um, hey Maggie. I was hoping I could talk to you for a minute. Would that be okay?"

She sighed, staring at him with a Bonnie face if I had ever seen one. She was wary, yet completely shocked at the same time. Jer, Bonnie, and I exited the room quickly and discreetly to let them talk.

We talked for about fifteen minutes about Christmas, and Maggie's gifts and how she'd reacted when she saw what I had sent her. She loved the new clothes I bought her, along with her cute little Coach purse (I'd gotten Bonnie a matching bigger one), and her D & G sunglasses.

Then, Maggie and Damon appeared in the room, each wearing a cute smile on their faces.

Maggie's POV:

I had been right in the middle of playing "Eye of the Tiger" on Guitar Hero when the doorbell interrupted Daddy and me, so I sat waiting until the door to the rec-room opened again. As I was turning to the door, Mommy announced, "Maggie, look who came to see you!"

I leaped up from the couch, dropping the drumsticks, and hurled myself into my Aunt Elena's arms, squealing, "Aunt Elena, I have missed you so mu-" I didn't even remember what I was about to say because, at that moment, my eyes locked on someone who I used to worship. The one and only Damon Salvatore was standing right in front of me, and boy did he look nervous. Did he even remember how mean he was? I kept looking at him, wondering if he was really there, and barely noticed when Aunt Elena put me down and kissed my head.

"Um, hey Maggie. I was hoping I could talk to you for a minute. Would that be okay?" he asked me, and I wondered idly if I was imagining it, or if he really was acting shy. It was entirely different behavior than the last encounter I'd had with him, so I sighed, relenting. It was kind of scary for me, not to mention weird, that my idol would just show up with my aunt after yelling at me for no reason when I met him 2 years ago. And he was just acting so different and I wasn't entirely sure I could trust him.

I walked back over to the couch, barely noticing when Mommy, Daddy, and Aunt Elena left, and Damon sat down on the other side.

"Maggie, I wanted to apologize for being mean to you when you met me a long time ago. You don't have to forgive me, but I want to feel like I at least tried to say sorry because I really am. You have no idea how much I wish I could take it back like it never happened," he told me. I studied him, still feeling uneasy until I saw his face. I could tell that he really meant what he said. I was his number one fan, so I could always tell if he was acting or being serious when he talked to people like for interviews for Enchantment and stuff. He really meant it.

"Really? Why? I mean, um...why would it even matter to you now? It didn't for two years..." I said sadly, hoping I was wrong.

"It did...I just never thought there would ever be a chance for me to make it up to you, Maggie. I never thought I'd see you again, but I'm so glad that I did. I was mean to my biggest fan, and I think I lost her. Did I?" he asked, looking over at me, a shy smile on his face. I couldn't help the happy grin that lit up my own face, and I jumped off the couch and hugged him. It surprised him, but he hugged me back. When I pulled back, I felt like everything in my wildest dreams had come true in a single day.

"Okay so, what do you say Maggie? Friends?" he asked hopefully, and I beamed, nodding. And with that, we walked to the kitchen where everybody else was.

Elena's POV:

"Your boyfriend is actually really nice, Aunt Elena," she beamed, and I mirrored her expression, trying to avoid eye-contact with Bonnie. Then, Damon came and made himself comfortable on my lap.

I groaned as he wiggled around; he had such a bony ass. Maggie giggled like it was the funniest thing she'd ever witnessed, so I gave in, wrapping my arms around him. At least it stopped him from wiggling around. This actually isn't too bad now, I thought, resting my hands on his washboard abs and my cheek against his back.

Then, Jeremy lunged out of his seat, startling everyone, "Sh-crap! It's almost five! I have to get the fireworks!" he said hastily, adding, "Oh, uh Damon, you wanna come pick out the good stuff? The girls never do!"

Jeremy rolled his eyes at us and I stuck my tongue out at him, then trying to watch Damon's response. He looked a little surprised to be included, but he smiled, answering,

"Sure, I'll go." With that, he finally got off of my lap, and I regained feeling in my thighs. I hadn't realized that he'd been cutting off my blood circulation, making me completely numb. I caught Jeremy's eye, mouthing "THANKS!" and he nodded, smirking as he bent down to give Bonnie a goodbye kiss.

Damon followed his lead, pecking my lips twice before following my brother out. I sighed in happiness, glad that everything was finally working out in my life. My unconscious smile grew as I watched Maggie dash back into the rec room to finish her game.

"You know, he's really different that I expected him to be, and you're different with him too. This may be a new relationship for you, Elena, but this is not like when you were with Stefan. You guys were together for months and never had that…easiness, togetherness…that you have right now with Damon. It's completely different than I've ever seen you," Bonnie observed, reminding me of exactly why I loved her.

"Yeah, I know, and it's only been a WEEK today…but when we met, there was just this instant connection. The chemistry between us is unbelievable, and I really think we're going to last a long time," I admitted dreamily, flashing back to the night we met.

Here's the situation…been to every nation, nobody's ever made me feel the way that you do…The lyrics played in my head, and I remembered how he'd twirled me and the pulled me back in, closer to him than before. His eyes, framed by the mask the, did that sexy flashing thing that makes me melt. My flashback was interrupted by the doorbell, and I looked to Bonnie in confusion.

"Expecting more company?" I asked.

"Maybe…" she giggled, flashing a huge grin as she got up to get the door. I followed suit, curious.

She flung open the front door to reveal…none other than our other best friends, Caroline and Tyler.

"Care? Ty? What are you guys doing here?" I asked surprised as I went to hug them.

"My uncle's doctors found a treatment that's going to give him a lot more time. They say he has at least 6 or 7 more years left, so he told us to come up here and visit," he explained, smiling.

"Yeah," Care smiled, nearly squeezing the life out of me, "I told Bon we wanted to surprise you and Maggie, so SURPRISE!" Bonnie laughed, ushering them inside and closing the door.

"Well, it's GREAT to see you guys again…and Ty…that's really good news. I'm so glad," I said with a smile. He nodded, grinning. Just as I was letting go of Tyler, the door burst open again. Jeremy entered, carrying two brown sacks, and Damon followed, carrying some as well.

"Who's this hugging all over my girl?" he asked, only half-joking. My eyes darted to Caroline, whose jaw dropped.

"Your what?" she swiveled around to me, "Damon Salvatore, Elena? This is the 'shocking, but stunning new Hollywood mystery couple' all the tabloids have been mooning over this week? You. Bonnie. Kitchen. Now," she said, her voice nearly a low growl. I winced, thinking that this was the sort of reaction I had expected from Bonnie. I glanced quickly at Damon, who had very nearly dropped the bags he'd been holding out of shock at Caroline's melodramatic reaction.

"Heeey, Blondie…maybe have a drink and calm down. We're all friends here tonight…and Maggie's in the next room," he said, trying to keep the peace. Tyler, who had remained quiet through Caroline's explosion, now glared at Damon for the "Blondie" comment. Caroline shot daggers at him too, ignoring him and dragging us by the arms to the kitchen.

"What. The. Hell?" she whisper-yelled at me.

"Care…maybe you should have a drink and calm down…" Bonnie suggested tentatively.

"And why are YOU okay with this? I mean…he…Maggie…ugh. Elena, are you out of your damn mind?" she screeched, turning from Bonnie to me. Then, she did something she hadn't thought she'd needed to do since high school: she slapped me. Hard.

"OW! Forbes, what the hell was that for?" I said, touching my stinging cheek. Damon rushed into the kitchen, coming to my side immediately.

"You SLAPPED her?" he said menacingly, holding my face in his hands gently. His eyes blazed with anger at Caroline, and then softened as he kissed my red cheek. He sighed, putting an arm around me, and turned back to meet Caroline's gaze. Well, glare.

"I heard what you said, Caroline…and I think it's time that I explained everything," he said. She narrowed her eyes, and Bonnie nodded because she too wanted to know what was going on, but she also wanted Care to give him a chance, and I was still in shock at how calm she was being compared to Care.

"That day…when I was…mean to Maggie…I'd just found out, on my way to the event, that I'd lost my best friend and her little girl in a terrible car accident. Anna…was just about the same age as Maggie, and I just…snapped. Also…the day before that, my uncle had been put in the ICU after another suicide attempt. I already talked to Maggie, and I apologized…and we're okay. I didn't even have to tell her any of the gory details. Do you understand?" he said, his voice now resigned and dulled. Caroline and Bonnie just blinked in shock.

"I…I'm so sorry…" Caroline stuttered, still in shock.

"Don't apologize to me…apologize to my girlfriend for slapping her," he said, turning back to me. I was amazed at his protectiveness of me so early on in our relationship, and also at how I tingled from head to toe when he called me his girlfriend.

"Sorry, Elly…" she said, using a very old nickname as she gave me an apologetic hug. I laughed, pulling Bonnie in for a group hug.

"I feel left out, baby," Damon pouted, stopping to wink at me as he mentioned the meaningful pet-name. Noticing how adorable his pout was, I let go of my friends and pulled him into my arms, and rolling my eyes as they not-so-subtly left the room.

"All better now, sexy?" I giggled, my arms around his neck. I started to pull away teasingly, and his grip tightened as he replied,

"Not quite, baby. How about we relive part of our oh-so-memorable Christmas-Encounter." His eyes glittered as he started leading me into a dance, humming "Tonight" as he went.

With him, I didn't even care how silly it was that I was dancing around in Bon and Jer's kitchen with no real music. As he twirled me and pulled me back in, he leaned in close and pressed his lips to mine.

"Ew…you guys! That's gross…but Daddy said it's time to start fireworks, so come on Aunt Elena…you too, Damon!" Maggie said, bursting into the room.

Damon groaned, pulling away; I giggled and smacked his ass, earning myself a flicker in his eyes as I pranced out of the kitchen with my niece. I walked outside into the front yard, where Jeremy and Tyler were setting up some of the fireworks, with Maggie shadowing behind them excitedly.

There were three chairs set up, two of which were already occupied by Care and Bon. I quickly headed to the other one, intending to claim it before anyone else did, but before I could sit down, I was hauled up into the air and Damon stole the char, pulling me into to his as I squealed in surprise. Quickly recovering, I turned in his lap to look at him, smirking as I said,

"Oh I guess it's my turn, then." I continued smirking as I wiggled around, making myself comfortable with added exaggeration just for his benefit.

"You know, your ass isn't actually that bony. Thank God for that dancing career of yours that keeps you so toned," he said playfully. I cursed under my breath at that, and proceeded to ignore him.

"Where's Mom and Dad?" I called out, knowing that someone out here would have an answer.

"They went on that cruise to Mexico finally. They always work too hard, and we finally got them to take their much needed break. Uh…well, what about erm…Isobel and Katherine…what are they…up to?" Bonnie answered, finishing off distastefully.

"Well, not like I actually try to even keep up with my piece-of-shit mother or whore-sister…you know you guys are my only real family, and that's the way it's always been and always will be," I said firmly.

"But you and Katherine have the same job…how do you manage NOT to keep up with her?" Damon asked, clueless. I paused, watching as Jeremy helped Maggie shoot a Roman Candle, while Bonnie clapped for each shot, before I started to answer. Then, before I could, Caroline intervened.

"Let's just say Elena tries VERY hard to avoid her sister during the day…since dancing is her day-job after all. As for her night job, well," she laughed drily, "I'll just say that if she went blonde…she'd be ole' Hugh Heffner's favorite at the mansion." Bonnie and I snickered in surprise, and Damon's mouth hung open at her quip.

"Is it bad that it doesn't surprise me all that much that you said that?" he asked. Caroline chuckled, patting his shoulder, and he continued, "I knew she was bad…I just didn't know she was that bad. I mean…after all the times I've seen her get hammered and try to hit on me…I guess I should have known."

Bonnie, Caroline, and I just shared a look before turning back to look at him, nodding at him collectively. We left it at that then, all of us turning back to enjoy the fireworks as they lit up the night.

Then, it was finally time to set up the grand finale, so Damon got up to help Jeremy and Tyler set it up. With him gone, Caroline finally looked at me, and I knew it was her opportunity to give me the verdict of her final approval or disapproval.

"You guys are…actually really cute together. No wonder Hollywood's going crazy; I can see it now…you're the new Super Couple. After one day, if I can see it…imagine how much you guys are really going to get it now from paparazzi! First, they're going to come up with some couple name like…Elamon or…OOH! I got it! Delena. And then, before you know it…everyone's going to want you to do movies together or music videos…interviews, you name it. You guys are seriously going to be HUGE," she said, her tone almost spastic.

I had to laugh, despite thinking that she could be right, and I saw Bonnie double over laughing. Then, the match lit and Jeremy, Tyler, Damon, and Maggie all ran back to us to see it better (and for safety). Bonnie stood up, and Jeremy held Maggie with her, and Care and I got up to do the same with our boyfriends. Damon wrapped me in his arms as we watched the beautiful fireworks shoot into the sky…and I barely heard the booming, or the countdown that I myself was participating in. Everything was just muffled as the fireworks exploded, until I heard everyone (including my own voice) yell,

"Happy New Year!"

Damon kissed me before I had a chance to think, fireworks still popping off in the background, and I knew somehow that the other couples were doing the same…starting off the new year with the same tradition.

"EW! Do all of you have to do that?" Maggie whined. Everyone broke away from each other, laughing at the eight-year-old. I smiled, genuinely happy for the first time in a long while, thinking to myself that this might be the best New Year I'd ever had, because looking into Damon's eyes, my life was complete…my heart whole. And I knew that this was only the beginning.

A/N: Okay so…The End. Well, I hope you enjoyed this two-shot…and I apologize to all who read the first part and had to wait FOREVER for me to finish this part. D: I know, I totally suck. But guess what, maybe one day…if I get the chance, I will totally re-do this plot and embellish it, making it a full-blown story…or at least a MINI-story. Anyways…I really hope you liked this…because I worked really hard trying to get this JUST right before I posted it, and I hope you'll leave me a review! Favorites are still welcome…but I'd rather read your exact thoughts on it instead. :) Thanks so much for taking the time to read this…I hope it was worth it!

~Damon'sHumanity