"I think it's high time you tell me everything about that day Kitten."

Elena gulped, staring at Damon, knowing there was no way they would escape this discussion now. They had been evading the subject and things were going quite good around. Hugging herself, she took breathe heavily, feeling the fear of what might come out of this tonight. Would she lose them? Would she lose her family? Would she lose him? She knew if she lost Damon this time, she would not survive it. He was her everything and the idea of him walking out on her tetanized her with fear she didn't know could exist. But she also knew, that not talking about it would never allow them to heal really from what had happened.

"The day I left… The day we had that big fight…", Elena stuttered, memories of that day making her heart ache. Damon held her hand tighter, trying to encourage her go on, though he was having the same trip down memory lane, trying to block out the feeling of guilt that he felt coming again.

"You left with the kids and I was here, in this big house alone. I was not okay at all. I felt trapped and angry and alone. We never fought like that before and I was this mess I did not understand myself. I found myself trying to drink away all those feelings, that pain, that loneliness and emptiness inside and Bonnie just came by…I was not myself and she was there, my best friend, or so I thought… I told her everything… We were broken Damon. Our marriage was inexistent. We had grown so far apart from each other. And it hurt so badly because I never stopped loving you, even when you acted so cold and detached, I loved you. But I felt you had got tired of me, I was not good enough. I felt like I was failing you, failing our kids." Elena let the tears fall; she knew there was no use in trying to hold them back now. She felt Damon's grip tightened around her, and it felt good. She knew they had both hurt about what had happened…And this conversation was opening the wound they had pretended was not existent for the past days.
"I am not saying it's her fault. It would be a lie. I was the one to write you that letter; I was the one to walk away. I was the one who did not turn back even once. I know. I know every tears spilled by you; by our children are my entire fault. But, she had promised Damon. She had promise she would talk to you that she would take care of our kids. She convinced me that you were all better off without me because I was a mess. She said you had certainly grown tired of me. And I thought it was true. You barely looked at me anymore and her words simply put out things I had tried to deny feeling."
Damon winced at her words, realizing how much he had hurt her without noticing. He had thought she did not want him anymore and he had preferred spending late nights at the office rather than actually come home to his wife. He had thought she did not want him around.
"And when I got away, after some days, I realized my mistake. I wanted to come back. I needed you and our family back and I called her. I CALLED HER! And she told me you had already moved on. That you didn't care! That our kids were doing great without me…better! That me coming back would simply harm them more than not being here. I was stupid! I was stupid and I believed her. I believed every single word she said and I stayed away…Until I felt myself die little by little inside. I came back but it was too late. You hated me. My children hated me…My son wouldn't even talk to me. I lost everything. But in the end, I am the only one to blame I know. I should have known better. She hated you, but I was blinded by my own needs and stupid thoughts that I ran…I ran away from you when I should have stayed and work things out. I know it does not matter anymore because it's too late and I can't change what happened…I just wished I could make you stop hating me…"

She was hugging herself, having broken away from Damon's embrace. She did not want to look at him, afraid of what she would see. He hated her for doing what she did and he had every right to. She was horrible. She hated herself for everything, all the pain…

"I am sorry…" She heard him whisper in a broken voice. Slowly turning around, she felt her heart clenched at the sight in front of her. Damon, her Damon had let the walls down. He was crying and the sight of him in pain broke her heart even more than it already was.
"Damon…" She went to him, not knowing what to do. He probably did not want her near him after everything she just said…How she did not turn back…Did not think…

"I am so sorry Elena. I should have seen…I should have known that you were unhappy. None of this is your fault…None of it. I was so cooped up into my anger and resentment that I failed to see you were in pain. You did not leave…I drove you away…By walking away that day, I drove you away."

Elena went to him then, caressing his face gently, wiping these tears away from his face. "I am sorry too"
Damon looked at her. Both stared at each other.
"I could never hate you Elena. Even when you left… I was angry and mad. My pride was hurt, my heart ached, but never did I hate you. I tried…I did…But I never could. I love you so much. I can't let you go…Please…" Damon was pleading her now. She stared at him, baffled by his words. She had walked out on them and yet, he was here, begging her to forgive him?
As if sensing the thoughts going on in her head, Damon continued, "I know, after all those things I said, my behaviors, my harsh words…I know I have hurt you… Blaming you all this time for something we both did...But I can't lose you again…Let me in again 'Lena…"

"I love you too…" Elena whispered, hugging her husband tightly, afraid he might just disappear. "I am here, forever…"
Damon gazed at the woman in his arm, and for the first time in months, he felt light…She was here with him, in their bed. His wife…Gently, he kissed her. That kiss had nothing with those kisses they had been sharing lately…This one was passionate yet sweet, soothing yet possessive.
"I need you…" Damon looked at her, unsure of what she had said.
"I don't want to hurt you…" he said.
Without replying him, Elena just kissed him again, bringing him closer to her, as if she wanted to just feel in totally…she did…She wanted to feel him.

Damon kissed her feverishly, all thoughts of keeping things slow vanishing, as he felt her hands touching him, tightening their grip in his back. Soon, they were both lost totally in their world, loving each single second of it, feeling and re-discovering each other once again, reveling in the feeling of finally being together again, just as things were supposed to be.