Disclaimer: I don't own the vampire diaries.

Chapter 14

"Do you really mean it with Damon?"

"I think so."

"Well, then go talk to him. Tell him what you told me, I'm sure he'll understand you." She hesitated for a second; she really needed to talk to her father. "It can wait, Elena. Now go!" her father pushed again, almost reading his daughter's thoughts.

She slowly nodded and started running towards the door, hoping she wasn't too late. Hoping Damon would forgive her.

All different kinds of thoughts were racing through her mind while she walked out of the house. What was she thinking when she said those harsh words? How could she say something like that after everything that happened between them.

She didn't even dare to think of what would happen if he won't forgive her. She just, realized how much she actually needed him. In just a few days, he changed her entire life. He changed every single thought she had about hi, he made her realize how perfect they matched each other. How much she actually loved him.

But what if she had lost it all? What if he left her? Now that she got to experience it, she couldn't imagine her world without him by her side. After everything that happened in her life, she'd build up a solid wall around her, and he'd been able to break it so easily that it made her scared, surprised and happy all in the same time.

She wasn't ready for all of this, not ready to fully admit her feelings. But she couldn't let him go, she won't. "Elena?" she heard him ask when she walked into the garden. He was standing against the wall, watching her steadily. "What are you doing here? I thought you wanted to talk with your father."

She could hear the bitterness in his voice and it made her feel cold. She was right, she had hurt him. "That can wait, I need to talk to you first," she answered afraid, telling him exactly what her father told her.

"Why? I'm sure Jeremy's future is the most important topic at the moment." The words came out in full bitterness, he was definitely hurt.

"No Damon, our future is more important. I know that I hurt you and I'm sorry for that. I didn't mean to say it like that. I said those words to hurt my father like he had hurt me. He didn't ruin my life by bringing you in it, he actually made it better. But, he didn't give me the chance to make my own decisions. Damon, you've been great to me. You are an amazing person and I'm grateful I can finally see the real you. You changed my life in so many ways…you changed me in so many ways… You challenged me, pushing me, helping me discover who I am. We made so much progress as a couple, and then that 'text' from my father came and ruined everything. Now I'm afraid I'll lose you and I don't want that. I want to build a real relationship with you and I can only pray you still want the same thing…" she stopped and bit her lip nervously waiting for his response. She was so afraid he will say 'no' that she could barely breathe.

"Of course I want the same thing, Elena. It's all I ever wanted," he said smiling before pulling her into a hug. Never in her life, had she ever felt more relieved. He still wanted her, still wanted a life with her. A happy feeling went through her body and she hugged him tightly, not ever wanting to let go. She finally found that place called 'home'- and it was with him…, he was her home. He was starting to be her everything and she couldn't think of a life without him.

He gently kissed the top of her head, feeling unbelievable and utterly happy for the very first time in a long time. Now that she was finally his- because she chose him, not because her father forced her, now he will never let her go As long as she wanted him, they would be great together. He couldn't believe it, he was wondering what made her change her mind… Of course, he knew she was giving them a chance once she slept with him. He knew she was physically attracted to him. But he never thought she would ever believe in them enough to actually want to build a relationship with him.

Still stunned by her words, he pulled back, slowly letting her go. His body was already missing hers, missing her heat as the cold wind started blowing on his flash. She turned his world upside down, but more importantly, she made him vulnerable. He knew that if she wanted to, she could hurt easily him, just like she did only a few minutes ago. He never gave someone such power over him, he never allowed someone to get to know him well enough to be able to do that. He kept them all at a safe distance. Why was she different? Why did he felt like it didn't even matter that she had such a strong influence on him?

The cold air brushed against her face when he let go of her, couldn't he hold her for a little longer? He was like an addiction, the more she got from him , the more she wanted. It was unbelievable how everything changed in such a short period of time.

"We should go back inside before you catch a cold," he said after a while. He was so caught up in the moment, that he forgot how to speak. He felt her body shiver slightly and he realized she was cold. The thought of her being sick pushed his words out of his mouth.

She nodded weakly, feeling the wind embracing he, chills were going through her body. Though it wasn't from the cold, but from the conversation she was just having with herself… Today had been a big change, a big step into a whole new direction.

When she walked back inside, her father was gone. She thought they would be able to pick up their conversation from where they left it, but it appeared that he had other things to do. Maybe it was for the best, a lot had already happened and she wasn't really ready to face reality again. Because that would mean she'll have to forgive her father, even after everything he did. Her stubborn side wasn't ready to give up and she was very sure, she wouldn't make things easy for him. It's not like she ever did.

"I'm going to the boarding house; I think Jenna can use my help unpacking all our stuff. Do you want to join me?" Damon asked once they were back inside.

"If you don't mind, I would like to stay a little longer. I mean…I didn't really get the chance to say goodbye to my room and everything. I…"

"It's okay, Elena, of course I understand. It's not like your father really helped you. I'll see you tonight." He gave her a quick peck on the lips before he left the house.

A part of her felt lonely; over the last few days, they'd been inseparables. This was actually the first time she was really alone. But the other part felt relieved, relieved to be finally home. This was the house she grew up in, the house where her mother lived when she was still alive.

The emotions were flowing through her body again, starting to drive her crazy . It was like she was just getting to know herself, like she could finally face her problems and could see her opportunities. Damon didn't only change her entire world; he also made her realize some things. Throughout the years, she lived in a little 'cocoon' all by herself, she shut out the rest of the world. She never got to live her life, and now she knew why. She never really got over her mother's death. She didn't take the time to properly greave her. There was no time for grief she had to look after her little brother, not to mention her father who's been a mess over the next moths following the tragedy. She had to play the role of a mother, a father, a daughter and a wife…and she did, without complaining, because they were all she had, had left.

For the first time in her life, she had finally the chance to live for herself, to make something with her life. Maybe she should ask Damon if she could go to college, her father tried to keep her away from it, but this was what she wanted. She wanted to study, to make a career… to be someone. Would Damon approve it, or would he hate the idea, just like her father did?

The simplest way would be to just ask him, but her shy side would never allow her to do that. She was too afraid he would say 'no', or worse, he would get mad at her. She didn't think she would be able to get through that again, seeing him hurt today was more than enough already. When he was hurt, she was hurting too.

She was lying on her bed when she heard noises coming from downstairs. Expecting to be her father, who just came home, she run towards the stairs, but when she walked into the kitchen it wasn't her father but her brother who was sitting across the table.

"Elena?" he asked a little shocked. So her sweet daddy didn't tell his son that big sister was coming home? Brilliant, now she would have to explain everything by herself. Why didn't Damon stay here? She thought suddenly, starting to get a little nervous.

"Hi Jer," she answered sweetly. It wasn't until then she realized they weren't alone, a little girl was standing against the wall, her curled black hair falling naturally across her face and she looked kind of innocent. Was that Jeremy's girlfriend? She looked totally different than Elena expected, she thought it would be some other kind of Vicky with high heels and short skirts. This girl on the other hand, looked pretty decent. "Hi to you too," Elena added, smiling gently at the girl.

"You're back home?" her brother asked abruptly before Anna could say a word.

"Yeah, I'm back home, for a while," Elena told him, not telling the entire truth.

"Home as in…here or home at the boarding house with your new boyfriend?" His voice was full of annoyance and he sounded pretty upset.

"What did dad tell you?" she asked not understanding where all this madness came from. What did she do wrong?

"Not much, except from you being away on some kind of trip with Stefan's brother. How could you betray him like that? I thought you loved him- you said you loved him."

"So he didn't tell you a thing," Elena answered her own question. How was that possible? She knew her father could be irritating, but this, this was too much, even for him. How could he hide such a thing from Jeremy? He should know her brother would find out eventually.

"What do you mean? Is there something I should know?"

"There's a lot you should know, as a matter-of-fact, Damon is my husband, not my boyfriend, and that's not because I wanted to marry him, not at first, anyway. Our lovely father arranged this marriage for me. He decided I wasn't capable of finding my own 'true love', so he thought he was doing me big favor. He told me he didn't want me to get hurt, but please, it's not like he didn't hurt me now…," Elena didn't stop talking until she finally told her brother the entire truth, which was a lot to take, even for Jeremy.

"He betrayed you? How could he? He didn't even give you the chance to prove that you are capable of finding your own husband."

"I know, Jer, but you don't have to be mad at him! You have your own problems. This would be a good time to introduce us! I don't think Anna likes to be treated like a statue," Elena said while turning around to face the girl. She was smiling lightly, happy that someone finally realized she was still there.

"So, father told you?"

"Yes he did, I know you're in big trouble and I'm here to help you and Anna."

"Okay. So Elena, this is my girlfriend Anna, Anna this is obviously my sister," Jeremy said oddly, he didn't like this new situation at all. "Why do you need to help me, Lena? I'm perfectly capable of standing on my own two feet. I promise you, I won't screw things up, not again, not with Anna."

"I see. But I think you still need help. I'm sure it's not going to be easy for the two of you to take care of a baby. You still have to go to school."

"So what are you going to do about it?"

"First things first. We need to buy stuff for the baby, go to the doctor and help Anna during the pregnancy. It's not going to be easy but I'm sure you're both going to be just fine. Afterwards, when the kid's born, I'll babysit when you're at school."

"You really thought this through, huh?"

"Of course I did, someone needs to do it."

"Is that another way to tell me I'm not capable of being responsible?"

"No, it's a way to tell you I'm not going to let you down. I want to help you, be there for you."

"I think Anna should decide," he said after awhile. They both turned their gaze towards Anna again; the girl was shyly playing with her hair while looking at the floor.

"Yeah, what do you think about it, Anna? I'm sorry that I ignored you, it's just a little hard for me to take this all in."

"I understand," she answered smiling softly, "I don't mind if you help us. I'm not sure what to do anymore, my mom…she…" abruptly she stopped speaking and the tears started spilling over her cheeks. In only a matter of seconds, Jeremy was standing beside her, pulling her into his arms.

It was there and then, Elena realized her brother really meant it with this girl. She never saw him so worried about someone, he truly cared about her, maybe even loved her. He looked desperate to help her, even if their situation was more than complicated. Elena was sure her brother would do everything to make it work with this girl. It was his duty as a boyfriend, a son, and now…a father…

She suddenly found herself thinking about Damon. How would he act as a father? Would he be a good one? Would he force them to do what he wants, instead of what they want, would he act like her father did?

Of course he would be a decent father, he was amazing at almost everything and he had been so great to Jenna. He had to be a good dad, there was no other way. With Damon, even the hardest things seemed possible. Even her life seemed to get a little more enjoyable, all because of him, everything was because of him.

I know this took me a lot longer than usual, but I'm still recovering from my surgery. I'm still not able to write a lot cause I've to rest but I'll try to update soon.

I hope you all liked the chapter. To make it up to you, the next chapter is an entire Delena one.

So, wanna read it faster? Review ;)

Thanks to my beta bibi, and everyone who reviewed of course!

Xoxo