Disclaimer: I have a devil on my left shoulder telling me that I own The Vampire Diaries. I have an angel on my right shoulder telling me the same thing. Is it just me, or has someone gone to the dark side? Maybe it's because the dark side has cookies… I own nothing.

Previously on The Vampire Diaries:

A scream ripped me from my rage induced haze. The scream came from the room that we'd made a mess of; the room where the dead girl was… Katherine used my distraction the same way that I'd used her surprise against her. She threw me into the side of the hospital. Let me tell you, bricks are unforgiving. Before I could pick myself up off of the cement, Katherine was gone.

I was dead on my feet. My fight with Katherine had left me with a probable concussion and several now-healing broken ribs. I lifted my shirt gingerly and touched the black and blue bruises that were scattered across my sides and back. Vampires heal from the inside out, thank God, so everything looked much worse than it was. I ran myself a hot bath and let my body loosen up and relax while I healed; it made everything easier. The pain that was pulsating in my head was fading to a dull throb as I breathed in several lungfuls of steam and went through my fight with Katherine in my mind for the millionth time.

Katherine had been much stronger than I was; faster, too. I got the upper hand when I surprised her twice. The first time had been when I struck out at her. Katherine had obviously been expecting sweet, innocent, naive Elizabeth from 1861; she got bitter, vicious, vengeful Beth. The second time I'd gotten the upper hand was when I'd mentioned Klaus. I made a mental note to try and contact the Original vampire the first chance that I got. From what I could tell based off of John's explanation and Katherine's reaction, this Klaus guy was a real piece of work. If Katherine was afraid of him, it would be better to be on his side when it came down to a face off.

Damon. Katherine had used him to bait me. I was ashamed that it had worked. It had been almost one hundred and fifty years; you'd think I'd be over the man by now. No matter how hard I tried to hate him, I couldn't. The simple fact that the mention of what Katherine might have done with Damon right before he found out the truth, that I had existed, made me realize that I still loved him. My heart was forever and completely his. Not that I would ever tell him that…

"Hmm…" I sighed, sinking lower into the water and dreamed of a time long past…

Mystic Falls, 1861

"Congratulations Brother!" Stefan clapped his brother on the shoulder proudly.

Damon beamed, keeping his hand securely around my waist, he said, "I'm the happiest man alive." He took his free hand, grasping mine and raised it to his lips for a quick kiss.

"And congratulations to you, Mrs. Salvatore." Stefan winked at me, giving me a quick hug. At any other wedding, it may not have been appropriate for me to be embracing my husband's brother, but Stefan was like the younger brother I'd always wanted. I had no brothers or sisters to share my childhood; Stefan Salvatore was as close as I was going to get.

"Thank you, Stefan." I smiled, feeling as though my heart would burst from my happiness.

Now that we had been received as husband and wife, we only waited to see Giuseppe before we were off to our room. Our room. I felt giddy just thinking about it.

Giuseppe was escorting Elias Berch, a man known to like his drink, outside; Mr. Berch's home wasn't far off, and so he would be alright to walk home. As soon as the door shut, Giuseppe was on his way over, smiling the entire time. He was so ecstatic to see his son happy… Giuseppe Salvatore was usually quite a stern man, known to smile on occasion; this was one of those rarities. Damon had never exactly been his father's favorite child, although in my opinion, there was nothing for Giuseppe to be cross over. Then again, what did I know? I was a woman after all… A small chuckle escaped me and Damon glanced down, a confused smile spreading over his face. "What is it?"

I shook my head, "Nothing." I couldn't not smile; both because of my previous thought and because I was completely and totally happy. I was married to the most perfect man in the world. A kind, caring, sweet man…

"I'm sure the two of you are anxious to get upstairs…" Giuseppe trailed off before he realized what he'd said. Stefan and Damon both let out a muffled chuckle while I turned pink from embarrassment. "Oh hush." He scolded half-heartedly, "I'm afraid, though, I must steal your bride for just a moment." Damon looked at his father curiously. I was completely confused. "Don't worry; you'll have the rest of your life with her. This will just take a moment." Giuseppe offered me his arm, which I took, and led me to the parlor.

"Is something the matter?" I asked, still confused.

Giuseppe smiled almost sadly, "No. Everything is right." His smile changed to become genuine, "I have a gift for you."

"Oh." But he'd already gifted us with a home that was to be finished by next spring…

He drew a necklace from his vest pocket. The chain was pure silver. A beautiful blue gemstone hung from the middle of the chain, glittering in the candlelight. The gemstone was framed by tiny flowers and leaves, encircling it entirely, but leaving the pendant to be a bell shape. "This was my wife's…" Giuseppe was holding it in his hand so that I could better examine it. "When Victoria and I visited Berlin in 1843, she saw this in a jeweler's and had to have it." He smiled at the memory. He glanced at me again, sensing correctly that I was about to protest, he said, "I know that Victoria would want you to have it. It was meant to be worn, not to be kept in a box."

I took a deep breath, nodding once, "Thank you, Giuseppe." I managed to smile. He smiled fully, just as full as he had when Damon and I had stood at the alter and said 'I do.' I lifted my hair so that Giuseppe could secure the clasp around my neck.

Giuseppe smiled, kissed me on the forehead, and said, "Go to your husband."

Moments later, Clara led the way to my new room. Our new room. She couldn't help but smile when she opened the door. I bit my lip to keep from returning the smile. "Thank you, Clara," I said softly before following my husband into our room.

Damon waited for me beside the bureau. He took my hand and kissed it before kissing me softly on the mouth. "I love you." He said, drawing me impossibly closer.

I smiled; it seemed that I was unable to keep from smiling tonight. "For how long?" I teased.

My husband looked into my eyes with an unyielding intensity, "Forever."

I shot up from beneath the bathwater, gasping for air. I wiped the water from my face, brushing my hair back. I looked to the sink for reassurance; sure enough, the necklace that Giuseppe had given me as a wedding gift, the same one that had been spelled by a witch to protect me from the sun, was resting on the marble. I quickly toweled myself off, put on a tank-top and shorts, and secured the necklace around my neck. I had rarely taken it off in the past century and a half, and I wasn't going to change that now.

A/N: There is a link to a photo of Beth's necklace on my profile page.

R&R please.