'Dost though love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff that life is made of' Benjamin Franklin

The next couple of weeks turn out to be really busy at the mill. Dad got two big lumber orders so it's been all hands on deck to get this order filled. The work is exhausting and dangerous but it's also exhilarating. I love being able to spend so much time in the great outdoors. Breathing in that fresh air is so invigorating.

Mom and her bowling buddies had the big bake sale and they earned nearly six hundred dollars to put in Elena's elevator fund. She was positively beaming when she met me at the door when I came home from work that evening. Apparently Ric and Jenna brought Elena to the bake sale too. Much to my dismay, Mom told them that I had a helping hand in making her world famous banana bread. I also helped her make several batches of cookies. Mom said Elena scooped up a plate of cookies as well a couple loaves of our banana bread. I'm anxious to hear if she liked it.

June Fell's idea about a community rummage sale was received very well by the town's people. They're actually collecting and marking stuff that people have donated. They're advertising in some of the small town papers surrounding Mystic Falls. It's scheduled to be held in city hall a week from Saturday. The cost of the elevator for Elena is around ten thousand dollars. Dad said he would pay the difference if we don't quite reach our goal so one way or the other, Elena will be getting that elevator. I'm keeping that quiet yet though. I think she'd feel overwhelmed or obligated if she found out that my dad was donating money for this since he already funded the ramps at her home.

I've been so busy at work, I've barely seen her the last couple of weeks but we have kept in touch with text messages and phone calls. I miss her so much. The bachelor auction is coming up very soon too. I shudder just thinking about it. Mom managed to convince Stefan, Tyler, Elena's brother Jeremy, Bonnie's brother, Jess, along with the four strapping Mikaelson guys. Nik and Eli volunteered but mom resorted to blackmail to cajole Finn and Kol to participate. Those two were pretty wild when they were young. By sheer happenstance, Mom caught them shoplifting one day. She promised them that if they apologized, paid for what they pilfered, and swear they'd never do it again, she wouldn't tell their mother. To this day, those two still don't want their mother to know about that little incident. As such, they were more than happy to help mom out when she asked them.

I'm beyond exhausted when I pull into Elena's driveway. But when Elena called and asked if I would like to join her family for supper, how could I say no? On the way over, I ran into my cousin, Enzo's flower shop. By the time I left, I not only secured a dozen roses for Elena, I also got Enzo to volunteer to be auctioned off. Mom always says he's a looker.

"Damon, come in," Jenna says with a smile after opening the door.

"Thank you for the invitation. I brought these for Elena."

"Oh Damon, they're beautiful. She'll love them. She and Ric are playing 'Scrabble' in the living room. Why don't you take these to her while I get a vase."

"Scrabble? I never thought Ric was very savvy in the vocabulary department," I chuckle.

Jenna giggles then swats me on the arm. "Go on, she's waiting for you."

Nodding, I step away from her and walk into the living room where I see both Elena and Ric so thoroughly engrossed in their game that they don't even notice me at first.

"Contumelious is too a word. It means scornful and insulting," Elena says, sticking her tongue out at Ric.

When I break out in raucous laughter at her childish antics, they both turn away from the Scrabble board, noticing my presence.

"She's got you there buddy," I say, barely able to contain myself.

Ric scowls at me then turns back to Elena. "Fine, you win," he says then raises his arms in surrender.

"Hi Damon. I'm glad you could make it," she says, looking at me.

"I couldn't turn down the opportunity to see you all. Dad has been working us from sun up to sun down at the mill."

Displaying my palms, I show her my blisters. "This is just a busy time of year for him so we all pitch in except Stefan who's in school. Although he usually pitches in and helps out when he's on break from school."

"What did you do before you came back to Mystic Falls?" she asks me, genuinely interested.

"I worked for Finn Mikaelson. I did computer work for his business. I had access to a lot of his inside information. It was all hush, hush, behind the scenes type stuff. I'd have to kill you all if I divulged," I say, laughing so hard that I nearly start dry heaving.

Elena starts laughing too. I love her laugh.

After we finish eating, I can hardly keep my eyes open but I don't want to leave just yet. As busy as we've been and still are at the mill, it'll probably be several days before I can spend any time with her again. Raising my eyes, I silently seek her permission to lift her up so I can sit her down on the couch. When she smiles and nods, I lift her from her chair carefully and gently set her down on the sofa. When I take a seat beside her, she stiffens for just a moment before relaxing into my side. Tingles erupt everywhere our skin touches. It's a glorious feeling and I revel in it.

"Damon, wake up," I hear her say as she nudges me gently.

"Did I fall asleep? I'm so sorry Elena. I'm just drained. I should get home. I have to be up at the crack of dawn again."

"Are you sure it's safe for you to drive home? I'd feel terrible if you had an accident or something because you're dead tired. You could stay in the guest room. I'm certain Jenna won't mind."

"No, I don't mind at all," Jenna interrupts from the doorway.

"I don't want to impose, I'll be fine," I reply.

"Please Damon, stay."

I raise my eyes to Elena's. I now know that I'll be unable to deny her anything when she peers into mine like that. "Alright, I'll stay but I need to get up early so I can get to work on time."

"No worries, there's an alarm clock in that room plus you have an alarm on your phone, don't you?" Jenna asks.

"I do. Do you need a lift up to your room, Elena?" I ask, winking at her.

"Yes," she answers, a hint of pink beginning to color her cheeks. I love it when she blushes.

"It would be my great honor to be of assistance." Even with my bad knee, as long as my brace is on, I can lift her. I have one more Doctor appointment to get my clean bill of health. Then no more knee brace. I cannot wait...

Bending over, I place one arm under her knees and wrap the other around her back so I can pick her up. Then I carry her up the stairs to her room and set her down safely on her bed. After sitting down beside her on the bed, I take her hand in mine and place a sweet kiss on it.

"Thank you for having me," I say, gazing into her eyes. Once again, I'm lost in their depths. Reaching up, I cradle her cheeks with my palms, look into her eyes once more for permission. When she nods ever so slightly, I press my lips to hers. Shivers shoot down my spine as I deepen the kiss. I pull back when I need a breath of air and keep my eyes on her for a long moment. Once more, only with more vigor, I drop a blistering kiss to her lips.

This time she pulls back, her face flushed, mouth slightly agape and her eyes shimmering with lust. Exhaling, she lowers her eyes for a moment then turns back to me.

"Um.. that's nice," she says shyly.

"Very nice," I whisper, pressing another kiss to her temple. "Goodnight Elena."

As always, thank you Eva for you friendship and for helping me so much with my stories. Thank all of you for reading and reviewing. They really mean so much to me. Please do take a look at me new DE adventure story, 'Pieces of Eight'. Please hit that little button marked review. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Until next week...