Chapter 23

Elena was sitting in their backyard, watching the kids play around while Damon was clearly trying to stay calm with Caroline bossing around planning Sophia's birthday…A party Damon was this close to cancel. Things were getting better between them. She smiled, her mind going back to what had happened few days ago.

Flashback

"No Damon! You cannot rightly think about cancelling the birthday party she's been waiting for since forever!" Elena said, vehemently, sitting on her bed, eating the dinner Damon had brought her some minutes ago.
It seems that Damon had completely been oblivious to what she had said and had simply went off with something like that, "You can be angry all you want kitten, I am going to take care of you." And just like that, he was really taking care of her, without effectively overwhelming her. And though she pouted about it in front of him, she was secretly reveling in having him around her. She was seeing a glimpse of the man she had married 10 years ago and the thought that they might actually get back on track was getting more and more persistent in her mind and heart.

"You nearly died Elena. Trust me, Sophia will understand that the circumstances are not right for a party." Damon persisted.

"Okay that's enough Damon. Please, I am begging you. Do not cancel her party for my sake! I-Just please don't do that" Elena ended her sentence in a whisper, failing at keeping her tears at bay.
Damon frowned at the sight of his woman crying, and quickly went to her sight, taking her fully in his arms soothingly. Elena was clinging to him strongly, burying her face in his chest.
"What's wrong babe? Tell me" he said soothingly, slowly kissing her head.
"I-I, it's just…I have pained our kids so much already. I want Sophia to have the party. I can't…I can't handle more guilt that I already have to carry around Damon. Please…Just please." She was now looking at him pleadingly, her big brown eyes filled with tears, with a clear trace of vulnerability and pain. Damon felt his heart ache at the sight of complete distress that was over Elena's expression. He realized at that moment that while he had been completely busy being angry at her, she had been hurting and blaming herself all along for what was also his fault. He had drove her to leaving and yet, he had preferred blame her for everything, without even taking time to listen to her side of her story.

"Hey, Elena, look at me. I think it's high time you stop taking all the blame for the breaking down of our marriage. We were two to get married and it took two of us to ruin much of it. Though, it would also take two to make it better…" Elena was caught between smiling at him and wiping off that smirk of his that made her literally melt.
"I'll call Caroline and put her on project "Sophia's Birthday", okay? But though, I have one condition." Damon said, smiling at her with his most beautiful smile.

"What is it?"

"You're going to leave this room and we're all going to spend some quality family time…"
Elena felt the smile come over her face, listening to him.
"Just like old time, Damon?" she whispered.
She felt him tightened his embrace around her, and though she felt the fear that this might all be short-lived, she couldn't help but bury her face in his chest, just like she used to.
"Better than old time baby, better than old time…" She heard him say, and she smiled, reveling in his embrace, none of them eager to let go just yet.

"Hey, dreaming with eyes open kitten?" she heard his voice, which brought her out of her reverie.
She looked at him and couldn't help but take him hand, enlacing their fingers together.
"I love you Damon Salvatore, even if we have many issues…I never stopped loving you."
And with that said, she felt his lips on hers and the thought that, after all, they shall be okay somehow remained on her mind.

A/N: I know! It's not as long as it should be. I am sorry. But I am so caught up with assignments and all, but I just could not allow myself not to update :D I hope you like this chapter. Personally I was not much satisfy with the previous one. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this one. Your reviews are always a pleasure to read so you know… ;)

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