He woke up in his bed in the old Salvatore estate. He looked around the room confused. Everything was exactly as he remembered like he'd never left. It was 1864. What the Hell? Was that all just a horrible dream? He could hear the sounds of the servants rustling about the mansion doing their daily tasks. There was a knock at the door.

A servant peeked through the door whispering, "Master Damon, breakfast is served. You gonna need all the strength yous can on this fine day." Damon recognized the older woman as Nettie, one of their long time servants. She walked over to the curtains and opened them so the light shone in on his eyes. The light was intensifying the piercing pain in his head from the alcohol he'd had the night before. "C'mon now, we don't wanna be late. Get up now child. I's got your uniform all pressed and hangin' in the closet for ya."

Confused, he said, "Um, I already told father I was not going back to the army. I will find something else to wear." He lifted the blankets up to see if he had pants on before he crawled out of bed. God, I hurt everywhere. What the Hell did I do last night?

"O Lord Master Damon, your brother did a number on you last night."

"Yeah, I guess so. Tell father I will be down in a minute."

"Yessir", she said as she excused herself.

So Stefan did a number on me huh? Getting hammered wasn't really his style. I wonder what got into him? He poured some water into the basin and splashed his face to wake up. Looking in the mirror, examining his haggard face, he said, "Uh, I look like Hell, I feel like Hell. Wow this human thing kind of sucks." He chuckled to himself. He didn't have time for a bath before breakfast, so he ran some water over his hair and combed it straight back. He put on something acceptable and ventured downstairs to meet his father's reproach for his disheveled appearance.

The breakfast table was full this morning with out of town relatives he hadn't seen in quite some time. He had no idea what they were all doing here. Giuseppe gave Damon an admonishing look, but tried to conceal his disappointment from their company. "Well, now that my son has decided to join us, we can get started."

Damon looked confused as he sat down quietly next to his brother. Katherine was seated on the other side of Stefan and gave him a smirk at Damon's appearance. Nice. Rub your relationship in my face some more. Bitch.

Stefan leaned over and whispered to Damon, "What is the matter brother, head pounding? I do not think I have ever seen you not hold your liquor."

Damon's tongue felt like it was covered in moss. He glared at Stefan and whispered back. "What the Hell happened last night?"

Stefan's smirk grew bigger. "You do not remember do you?"

Sarcastically, Damon said, "No, all I remember is waking up to this bizarre dream."

Stefan slapped him on the back, "Well let us just say your last night as a free man was well spent." Katherine covered her mouth to hide her laughter.

"My last night...? What are you talking...?"

Just then, Giuseppe raised a glass to his guests in a toast. "Here is to my sons. To Stefan and his lovely wife, who are about to carry on the family name."

Damon looked over at Katherine, noticing her extended stomach for the first time. What?! She can't be pregnant. She's a vampire!

"And to Damon, who in a few short hours, will be making his first steps down the same path."

Same path? Ok, someone needs to tell me what the Hell is going on.

When breakfast was finished, Damon stood with the others to leave the table. Just as he was about to ask Stefan what their father was talking about, relative after relative, whose names he could barely recall, came up to him, shaking his hand in congratulations. Congratulations for what? He had to play along so as not to embarrass himself any further, but as soon as he could get away, he would corner his brother for the answer.

His father came up to him to excuse him from their relative's bombardment. "I think it is time my son here gets upstairs to get ready. Damon you should go clean up. It is impolite to keep Elena waiting."

Elena!? Wasn't she just a dream? Waiting for what? Instead of asking, he smiled at his father and said, "Of course father. I will wash up and be down shortly." Damon scanned the foyer for his brother, but he was nowhere to be found. He pulled a servant aside. "Dex, please tell my brother I need to speak to him right away in my room."

"Yes, Master Damon."

Damon soaked in the tub Nettie had drawn for him. He'd always loved long baths, but today he would've preferred a shower. Man he had a kick ass shower in that dream of his. Wait they don't even make showers in 1864! How do I know about them? He toweled off from his bath and began getting dressed. His father insisted he wear his army uniform despite Damon's refusal to return. He sighed. I guess I don't have much of a choice. He heard a knock at the door. He turned to see who it was just as Stefan stepped in the room.

"You wanted to see me brother? What is the matter, cold feet?"

"Look, I get it. I tied a really good one on last night, but this is not funny anymore. I need you to tell me what the Hell is going on."

Stefan laughed at his brother's joke, but then turned serious, as he began to realize he wasn't joking. "You really do not remember?"

"No! That is what I have been trying to tell you!"

"Did you hit your head last night or something?" Damon looked at him blankly. "You are getting married today remember? Elena?"

It hit him like a freight train. Married!? Elena? Did I somehow incorporate my fiancé, brother and sister-in-law in some drunken, twisted dream last night? He tried to cover his confusion. "Elena...right. Sorry brother, I really must have blacked out last night. Bachelor party right?"

Stefan relaxed, "Yes! It was quite a party. The ladies at the tavern were sure showing you how much they are going to miss you. We had to pour you into bed last night."

So I got drunk AND lucky last night. Great! I don't remember any of it. Elena. At least I remember her. So she was mine all along, not Stefan's? A huge smile crept across his face that she was about to be his wife. "Can I ask you something?"

Stefan replied, "Sure."

"I know this is going to sound strange, but did we ever fight over Katherine's affections?"

Stefan laughed. "No, of course not. You were with Elena well before Katherine came along. You know you are lucky she stuck around all this time."

Damon looked at his brother puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Well it took you long enough to propose. You are lucky she is madly in love with you, or someone else might have snatched her up. Why did you wait so long anyway?"

Damon wished he had an answer for that. It seemed odd to him that he'd wait to propose to an eager Elena. She's madly in love with me? Fuck I could've lost her. What was I thinking? Damon struggled to answer his brother's question. "I...I...have no idea why. Just stupid I guess."

Stefan clapped his brother on the back. "Well better late than never. Come on brother, let us not keep her waiting any longer." Stefan opened the bedroom door, stepping aside to allow Damon to exit first.

The ceremony was in the gardens of the Salvatore estate. Chairs were lined up in rows leading to a floral covered archway. Most of the guests had already taken their seats, when Damon and Stefan made their way towards the minister. In the front row sat his father, some relatives from breakfast, Mayor Lockwood and his wife, Katherine, and Bonnie. Bonnie? How is that possible? Just as he looked again, he saw it was Emily Bennett not Bonnie. Weird. The violinists began playing, signifying the entrance of the bride. Damon turned from his conversation with Stefan to see Elena being escorted down the aisle by Jonathan Gilbert. In tow, holding her train, was a blonde girl who looked like...Caroline? Damon blinked again and saw it was someone he didn't recognize. It must be a friend of Elena's. The sight of Elena in her gown took his breath away. Her hair was partially done up with cascading curls down the back and along her face. The crinoline of her pure white dress flowed behind her. The top of her dress laid at the very edge of her shoulders, accentuating her breasts, as her corset pushed them up. The bodice of her dress was laced with pearls. He could feel his heart racing, as she approached with a huge smile on her face.

Jonathan brought her to Damon's side, kissing her lightly on the cheek before taking his seat. Damon couldn't help but stare in awe at her. She shyly looked down, as she grabbed the hand he offered her. The ceremony was a blur after that. He was caught up in disbelief that he and Elena were actually marrying. Damon snapped out of his revere when the minister asked him if he promised to love and protect Elena until they are parted by death. Without hesitation, he responded, "I will."

He gazed at Elena, as she looked lovingly into his blue eyes and repeated, "I will," promising to love and honor Damon until they are parted by death. Holding her hands, he leaned in and kissed her sweetly. Their guests applauded as Damon escorted Elena out on his arm and into the estate for the reception.

All throughout dinner and most of the night, it seemed they were either being toasted or whisked away from each other by their guests. They hadn't had a moment alone. I guess we'll have to wait until tonight to be alone. Have we made love before? Damn, I wish I could remember. The thought of what was to come later when they were finally alone aroused him. He had to keep shaking the thought out of his head. He couldn't very well walk around all night with an erection. The orchestra leader announced them to the dance floor for their first dance. Finally, a moment together. Damon took Elena's hand and led her to the dance floor for a traditional waltz. Both were all smiles, as the music played, and they began to dance hand in hand. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. The intensity of his stare embarrassed Elena.

"Stop staring. You are making me blush."

"Sorry, I cannot help it, you are stunning. I cannot believe how lucky I am."

She teased, "I was just thinking the same thing." He laughed while her smile got bigger. Her eyes sparkled at him with love.

It wasn't long before the dance floor was filled with other couples, and they were being swept away from each other again by other dance partners. That's pretty much how the rest of the night went. At one point, Damon looked around the dance floor and spotted Elena dancing with Stefan. They were laughing in a flirtatious way that made Damon seethe with jealousy. Just as he was about to cut in, Katherine intercepted him. She flirted, "I have not had a chance to dance with the handsome groom."

Damon hesitated to take her hand to dance. He looked at her pregnant stomach and shook away the thought that something sinister was going on. He put on a fake smile, "Of course. I would love to dance with my brother's wife." Why does this feel so wrong? Elena is dancing with Stefan and I'm dancing with Katherine. Stop it. It was just a dream.

Around midnight, all that remained were a few guests and family. Damon and Elena said their thank you's and excused themselves to their room. Before they entered, he picked Elena up to carry her through the door, as was tradition for the newly married. Both had broad smiles on their faces and giggled, as he swung them around once before setting her down in front of him. Her body slid against his, as her feet hit the floor, all the while he never released her from his embrace. They kissed softly for a moment. When their lips parted, he brushed a curl away from her face then gently rubbed her cheek with his thumb. He looked in her eyes. "Are you happy?"

She said without reservation, "Completely."

"I am sorry we did not marry sooner. I do not know why I hesitated."

She gave him a knowing look. "I do."

He looked at her questioningly. "You did not believe I loved you. For some reason you had it in your head that I loved your brother."

Suspicious, he asked, "Why did I think that?"

"I have no idea what goes on in that head of yours. I guess it is because Stefan and I have always gotten along and teased each other."

Uncertain, he asked, "Teased?"

"Yes, you know chiding each other. It was not until he married Katherine that you finally started to relax. Before, I really do not think you believed what I felt for you."

He smiled tightly, "I am sorry. I should have trusted you."

"It is fine now. You have eternity to make it up to me."

Eternity? Doesn't she mean a lifetime? He shook off her odd phrasing and leaned in to kiss her, at first sweetly then more passionately. He was more than ready to take his new bride. His kisses ran from her lips to her chin, working his way down her neck. She titled her head back with the pleasure. When he reached the tops of her exposed breasts, she gently pulled his head up with a teasing smile. She turned around and motioned for him to undo her dress and corset. He slowly untied the back, placing light kisses along her spine as he went. He could feel her breathing increase in desire with each small kiss. As if he wasn't aroused enough, the sight of her bare back made him throb more. He slowly peeled her dress away from her shoulders. As it dropped to the floor, she turned towards him, covering her breasts to tease him further.

Now it was his breathing that increased at the sight of her. He pulled his jacket off and threw it aside then pulled her to him for a passionate kiss. She let go of her breasts to pull his suspenders down and his shirt out from his trousers. Then she proceeded to work her way to open each button, so his bare chest was flush with hers. The feel of her nipples against his skin sent electricity through him. Her skin was so soft and warm. His hands ran along the small of her back, pulling her into him, as they continued to ravage each other with kisses. He guided her to the bed then sweetly laid her out on it, hovering over her as they continued to kiss. She could feel his hardness against her pelvis, as he continued to kiss down her chest, gently running his fingers over her breast. Her chest rose and fell rapidly from the excitement of his touch. She raked her fingers along his chest wantonly, resting her fingers inside the waist of his trousers. He pulled himself back from her far enough to remove his pants, exposing his very alert member. She looked away shyly, as if she'd never seen him naked before. He gave her a curious unsure look, wondering if this was their first time. Her body shivered with delight, as his exposed cock brushed against her bare stomach.

He gently took her face by the chin and moved her averted eyes to meet his. He was captivated by her big brown orbs that seemingly could see into his soul. He searched them for an answer to guide him in his actions. She smiled innocently at him, with eyes sparkling in adoration, before she leaned up to kiss him. His hand cradled her face lovingly as they kissed. When his hand left her face, it slid slowly delicately down the side of her breast to the small of her back. He pulled her pelvis firmly against his, so she could feel his length. The heat and wetness that met his touch made him throb even more. He was surprised to feel her hand run down his chest to his more than ready erection, positioning him to take her. His lips parted hers briefly, smiling at her in surprise. When he looked at her eyes this time, he saw the lustful look he remembered from his dream.

She ran her fingers through his hair, bringing his lips once again to hers. He pressed the full length of himself inside her slowly, steadily, and felt her body arch into his, a pleasurable moan stifled by their joined lips. He rhythmically pumped himself inside her, getting lost in the pleasure of their connection. Uh, she feels so incredible. This cannot be our first time. As they went on enjoying the feel of each other, his pace began to increase until they simultaneously reached a state of complete euphoria. They enjoyed sweet gentle kisses and caresses, as their breathing returned to normal. He rolled himself off of her, pulling her close to rest her head on his chest. He stroked her hair and caressed her skin lovingly. For a time, they reveled in the silence, getting lost in each other's touch.

Damon broke the silence first. "I love you more than anything in this world. You know that, do you not?"

She smiled up at him blissfully. "Hmmm, yes, I do."

Curious, he asked, "So how is it that you fell in love with me and not my brother?"

She looked at him with a sparkle in her eyes. "'From the moment we met, it was always you that I wanted."

He looked at her unsure. "Stefan is a fine enough man, but he is not genuine like you. He puts on an air of sincerity to impress. Sure he can be delightful and charming, but I can tell that it is only to get what he wants. And he seems to take pleasure in competing with you. Those are not qualities I care for in a man. You, on the other hand, have always been sweet and kind. Your care and concern for the welfare and happiness of others even above your own, comes naturally. There was no way I could not fall in love with you."

He smiled with pure joy, as he saw her love for him reflecting in her eyes. "You are so different. The women I want usually fall for Stefan and never think twice about me."

She scooted up to be closer to his lips. She whispered, "Then they are blind. It was always you Damon. You just need to allow yourself to believe you deserve it. I will love you for eternity."

Eternity. There's that word again. "You mean for a lifetime, do you not?"

She shook her head slightly. "No, I mean eternity. Regardless of what happens to us, you will always have me heart and soul." She kissed him softly before resting her head on his chest to sleep.

Why can't I just believe it? Because this isn't real. He jolted awake. Looking around confused, it took him a moment to realize where he was. He had passed out in the cemetery, where he had apparently fallen off of the stone bench, and now laid on the ground. He breathed out disappointed. "I knew that had to be a dream. I was too happy." He sat up, long enough to take another huge chug from the bottle, before he laid his head back down, hoping to return to his beautiful dream.