June 25

With all but steam venting from her ears, Sage traipses into the living room and rather dramatically slams her purse down on one of the tables. Before either Damon or Kol can utter a peep, she looks at them expectantly. "You will not believe it, you simply will not. I am so angry that I could spit like a man!"

Damon looks at her while Kol pretends not to be interested. Not one to be ignored, Sage throws a decorative cushion at him. "Kol?! Can you stop please? I know you're dying from curiosity!"

Kol raises his eyes blasé. "I hate to break it to you darling, but your usual socialite melodrama does nothing for me. Too shallow."

"Really?," Sage smiles at him sweetly. "Then why don't you tell me why you have the reputation as being the biggest gossipmonger in our considerable circles?"

Kol sticks out his tongue at her and Damon has to shake his head. "What's got you so agitated? Are you going to let us in on it or not?"

Sage turns to him and he doesn't like the look she's giving him. She makes a dramatic pause before she starts. "I went to the Lockwood home, you know since none of us have gotten to see Elena since she was hurried into her parent's car at the harbor. Anyway, I was there because she invited me for lunch."

Damon tenses and Kol surely looks less bored, both eager for her to continue.

Sage finally feels she's not being ignored. "We spent most of the day together and if you want my opinion, I am sure that she was glad to see me."

"Why didn't she come to see us? Is she busy? Or is it her parents? The Lockwood's?"

"I don't know Kol. I'm concerned. Her parents and the Lockwood family decided that their businesses and properties or whatever is more important than her happiness. It's why they wed her off to George in the first place. The poor girl had no say in the matter at all. One day she was Elena Gilbert, the next Elena Lockwood." Sage stands up to pour herself a drink. She picks up the brandy decanter and pours a little in a tumbler. She throws it back quickly.

"Despite nearly losing their daughter and after everything she's been through, they now want her to marry George's cousin, Tyler. "So the families union will stay intact," she sings songs, her jaw pulling back in anger.

"What?!" both Damon and Kol gasp, unable to hide the shock that washes over their faces.

"Yep," Sage confirms. "They sat her down a few days ago and told her. The nerve of those people is unbelievable. What I wouldn't do to get them alone in a room," she fumes.

"Who do they think they are?" Kol agrees, "I mean, the Lockwoods and the Gilberts too are well known for their 'clever' politics, whether it comes to business or marriage but to sell their daughter is unthinkable especially when her husband died a month ago? They aren't even letting his body get cold." Kol scoffs, walking over to the bar to pour a drink for himself. After taking a sip, he looks at his sister in law again. "And what about his parents? They're on board with this?

"They are."

"What is she going to do? Why didn't she come to us?" Kol asks, adding just a little more to his glass.

Sage shakes her head no. "I asked her that too. She said that she needs time to think and we shouldn't worry about her. But how do we not?"

Damon feels uncomfortable when he notices them both staring at him. "Did she... Didn't she...?" No, he can't ask this.

He doesn't need to, as Sage is already answering. "No, Damon, she didn't mention you. I tried to ask but she just changed the topic. She said she would be in touch and not to worry."

It's not what he wanted to hear.

It took Elena a few days to gather her wits and with each passing day, her anger grew and reached a fever pitch. She's grateful for Sage's visit because her friend allowed her a much needed vent. Although she briefly considered running to the Mikaelsons for shelter, she knows that this is her fight and she's not going to back down from it. She's a much stronger woman than they give her credit for. Still she's very grateful knowing that she has the backing of that powerful family.

In her lowest moment right after she kicked her parents and his out of her home, she thought of Damon. He deserves someone who is serious about fighting for him and for them as a couple. That's all the motivation she needs. Although she'd like him to be here, this is one battle she needs to fight and win herself. She smiles when she remembers Damon telling her that he was all in and wanted to be with her and that he would wait for however long it would take. He's trusting her to do her part and she will. Elena will not hide behind the powerful Mikaelson family or take refuge behind the walls of their grand estate because if she cannot do what needs to be done, she doesn't deserve a man like Damon Salvatore. By God, she's going to be the woman that he deserves.

Elena hasn't sent him any messages or anything else to ease his mind. She just couldn't. The last thing she wants to do is to hurt him but she needs to do this on her own and if she mentions it, she knows Sage will bring the cavalry which would include Kol and Damon. They just won't understand that she needs the freedom to do this in her own way. She won't allow her parents to pretend things are different than they really are. Because if she must face her past she will make them do the same.

She waits for several days, but her parents are no fools either, they know that they have her cornered and that she waits patiently for big confrontation. They leave her alone just like she asked. If living with George taught her nothing else, it did teach her patience. Elena uses that time to sort out some things and make decisions that need to be made. She goes to appointment with their lawyer only to be advised not split the property and that she should consider the Lockwoods offer. Yes, another arranged marriage...

She leaves more determined than ever to not let them scare her off. After that she realizes she can do nothing about it until she talks to both of her families. So she stays home going through and filing documents and papers and going through George's things which takes several more days.

It's too soon, really and sometimes she has to stop to get her emotions under control. The turmoil she's feeling is foreign to her in a strange way. She didn't love George, she didn't even like him but she does feel bad that he died so tragically. Still, she-needs-it-done. She picks up her cup of tea. It dawns on her that their parents are probably already planning her new wedding. It's as if they don't even care about their son, only the fiscal matters. It angers her, George has only been dead a few weeks, they should at least let some time pass to honor his memory. He was their son after all.

She doesn't contact either the Mikaelsons or Damon though. At night, lying awake in bed, staring either out of the window or at the ceiling, she cannot get him out of her mind. She hopes he'll understand and that in the end, this distance will prove to be productive. Still she assures her imaginary Damon of her love and loyalty. He's both her inspiration and her motivation to get everything taken care of so they can be together.

Ten days pass before her parents finally break the silence. Her mother lets her know, they'd be pleased to have her for lunch on Saturday if she feels well enough to come. It's a nice change, being asked and given an option. She agrees and thanks her for the invitation.

When the butler, Henry, lets her in, she's ready to talk to her parents about her plans for the future.

Her mother rushes to greet her, gives her a hug and a kiss, and leads her to the main room. "You're a little late, but it's alright, Elena."

"Late for what, mother?" she asks, but the answer presents itself forthwith.

"Darling, let me introduce you to Tyler Lockwood!" her mother says with an exaggerated burst of enthusiasm. A young man who Elena has never seen before stands to meet her. Elena feels dazed when he takes her hand in his and gives it a kiss. She's too polite to start yelling at them all.

"Nice to meet you," she responds dutifully and when she sees the satisfied looks on her parents' faces, she knows that's exactly how they planned this.

Damon sits on the dock eating his lunch while he stares at the sea and listens to the sights and sounds of the harbor. He has yet to find another job but he's kept busy helping out at the Cunard offices. At least he's close to the ocean but it's not what he wants to do with his life. Everyday he longingly watches the ships coming and going and wishing he could return to sea himself. Sighing, he finishes his hot dog and then takes a swallow of his drink. He is going to have to make a decision sooner rather than later. Not only about work but about finding a place to stay. He doesn't want to burden the Mikaelsons anymore than he already has.

Before the Lusitania disaster, he was living temporarily with his parents because he had no need of a house or an apartment, he was always aboard an ocean liner. Also he's never had a family of his own that he needed to provide for. But now, for the first time in his life, he wants it all and he wants it with her. Even if Elena has had second thoughts about them, no, that's not where he lets his mind wander. Focus, Damon.

He still needs to find a place to live and a job so he can pay the rent. But the most pressing thing is that he needs to see Elena. Perhaps he could try to contact her?

But he won't. He has to trust her and he does, he knows their love is trust worthy. He needs to give her as much time as she needs to do what's best for both of them. Standing up, he throws away his garbage and then starts to go back to the office to do some more tedious paperwork. When he hears the loud blare of tug boats siren he smiles, glancing about till he sees another mighty vessel departing.

I miss you, Elena. Every single minute of the day.

Elena picks her water goblet and takes a swallow. As she does, her eyes drift to each person who is sitting at the table. Her father is staid and proper, talking up Tyler as if he's the second coming of the Messiah. Her mother is like a Myna bird, nodding her head and parroting everything her father says. Their lunch is the perfect social event. It's unfolding like a well choreographed one act play. Elena is bored to tears. Rather than interject her opinion and receive dour looks from her parents, she simply listens while they plan out her entire future.

It dawns on her that she really has never had a chance to win with them. As with George, it feels like she's just one of their many material possessions. Why does she or any child long for their parent's approval? Especially when she knows that her values are a glaring contrast to theirs? She realizes they're not almighty. Nor do they love her unconditionally or tell her the truth when it's needed or allow her to do what she knows is best for her. Even though her parents are not paragons of parenthood, she also knows that there are good parents out there, she just doesn't have them.

She can see the future right before her very eyes. Her parents will visit her and Tyler on holidays, Tyler and her father would retreat to a back room to have share brandy and fine cigars. She would be subject to her mother's inanity, discussing an upcoming event or planning the theme for her Christmas décor. Elena is certain that her mother would demand to choose a nanny should she ever get pregnant.

Having set her water glass down, she takes a big swallow of her wine and sets it down. When she can no longer bear to listen to them, she clears her throat. They continue to ignore her so she scoots back in her chair and faces Tyler. "Did you know, Mr. Lockwood, that I may not be able to bear children?"

The room goes deathly quiet. Tyler looks at her obviously having no clue as how to respond to such a bombshell. Her father's face is purple with rage while her mother looks like she's having the vapors.

"Elena dear, we know you're upset, the boat tragedy and poor George..." she even sheds a tear, Elena looks at her feigning interest. Her mother quickly composes herself and continues. "But I don't really think you should beat yourself up, dear. What happened, it wasn't your fault. I mean, you and George hadn't really been together all that long..., She's still in shock poor dear," her mother finishes, her gaze shifting to Tyler.

"Beat myself up?" she fumes, her hands fisting in her lap. Her father's face start to heat up so she knows that he's gearing up for giving her a lecture about how to behave. And that a union between her and Tyler is a good one and beneficial for everyone involved. Just as he starts to stammer, Elena decides it's just not worth it. There are more important things to fight for.

Rather than listen to her father's tirade, she turns to Tyler with an apologetic tone. "I'm sorry Mr. Lockwood, I'm still not myself. Will you... We can take a walk if you like? We can get to know each other a little bit better?" she looks at her parents, stealing her father's thunder. The look of anger and uncertainty is quite evident by the looks they're giving each other. It's as if they're not sure whether they like this version of her. No longer is she going to let them make such important decisions for her. Several moments pass and she can see her parents bluster begin to recede.

Clearly, she's been a good daughter as eventually they consider that she wouldn't dare go against them or commit the unthinkable. Her mother smiles uneasily at her. "Show Mr. Lockwood the garden Elena, we have a new gardener and he has truly outdone himself," she turns back to Tyler during her speech.

Tyler looks neither scared or unsure and follows Elena into the garden. Elena sighs with relief mentally as soon as they're outside and there's some distance between them and the others. She breathes in the fresh air, letting it both calm and fortify her. Tyler gives her a small smile. "I'm sorry Mrs. Lockwood, or may I call you Elena?"

Elena turns her attention to him, neither pays attention to the lovely garden though. "You may, Tyler, it's ridiculous to address each other 'Mr. Lockwood' and 'Mrs. Lockwood' and for what I want to say I don't think 'Mr. Lockwood' will do...," she pauses to take a breath but Tyler interrupts her speech.

"Listen, Elena, I know you are angry and I understand, I really do. You never received any warning that I would be here but please, don't reject the idea just because of the circumstances are not ideal. I don't know much about your and George's marriage but I knew George. He wasn't a nice man and I suspect that he wasn't a nice husband either. Am I right?" He stops when Elena looks at him disbelievingly. "I'm not him, I can and will be a good husband. Your parents and Georges' parents might have a point, it makes sense for us to marry and you have my word that I am not here to take advantage of you. You're a beautiful woman, Elena. I would be honored to be your husband."

"Tyler," Elena says slowly, "Why are you so willing and ready to marry me? You and I know nothing about each other except for our family names and the prestige they carry. I don't understand why you want to bind your whole life to me? You look like a good man but so did George. He changed as soon as he slid that ring on my finger." She pauses, bending over to smell her mother's hydrangea bushes. "Surely there's another girl out there who would really make you happy?"

Tyler frowns, "You know as well as I do that it's not an option. I can't marry just any girl... And we can have this. I can make you happy and you can make me happy, or if not..."

"If not...?"

"Then... there are other ways. I promise you, you won't regret it."

Elena stops listening after the "there are other ways." She knows a thing or two about what some men do to spice up a marriage. She shakes her head then meets his eyes again. "I tried to do it their way and it didn't work. I will not allow them to trap me in another arranged marriage. I want to live a real life, not a pretend one. I am not a marionette that they can manipulate with each pull of the strings. I want passion, adventure and maybe even a little danger. That man is waiting for me and I'm not going to disappoint him," she pauses for a moment, a hint of a smile forming when Damon's image appears in her mind. She's snapped out of her reverie when she hears the crunch of gravel beneath his feet.

"And lastly, Tyler, I'm not a broodmare nor will I allow you or anyone else to treat me as such, not anymore." She can see Tyler wants to protest again but she needs to get her point across.

"I won't marry you, Tyler. I don't know you and I don't want to get to know you. I will not spend the rest of my life with someone who thinks the way my parents do. I want to be happy, I want a life, I don't want an existence. I'm sure that you'll find someone that will be a good match and hopefully you will love her for who she is and not how she can benefit you. That girl is out there, Tyler, you just have to find her but she's not me. You deserve to be happy too. Seize your freedom before it's too late. I'll take my chance on the future, I want love, a love that consumes me." After sharing one more look with him, she walks away, leaving Tyler behind with his mouth hanging open.

Elena turns around when she hears the gate creak. She watches Tyler leave without going back through the house. Elena walks back slowly, not eager to jump into another argument but on the other hand she wants to be done with it. It's been too long since the last time she saw Damon. She smooths her dress and walks through the sliding glass door into the house. Both mother and father look up with a questioning gaze. "Where is Mr. Lockwood?" her father asks.

"Tyler's on his way home." She ignores the shock on both of their faces and sits on the sofa.

"It's not possible, he... he was looking forward to meeting you and... What did you tell him?" he sputters, shaking his finger at her.

"Nothing untrue...," she sighs. "Look, I know you're not happy with me..."

"Happy? We certainly are not young lady," her father starts but she gives him a hard look and continues without consent.

"Enough dad. I will be heard," she retorts, her voice rising an octave. "I don't care anymore if you're happy with me or not. Not since you sold me to a... 'gentleman' who took pleasure in hurting me, humiliating me and breaking me. Not since you crashed my beliefs that you'd help me to get away or stand behind me. Did you ever see the bruises that I wore, the bruises that George inflicted on me? Other people noticed, but you didn't, my own parents didn't care enough to see that their son in law was a monster. Do you have any idea the humiliation that I lived with having been forced to share my husband with his many lovers?"

She gets up to pour herself a finger of bourbon. She swallows it, puts the stopper back on the decanter then faces them again. "Did you have any idea how it felt to have strangers defend me when my own parents would not? All you care about is your precious firm. I'm telling you right now that I'm done. I'm not going to waste respect on people that have no respect for me. Don't start on about family duties because you haven't been family to me for a long time. You haven't been family to George either. He doesn't deserve to be defended, I hated him but you're ready and willing to pretend he never even existed just so you can marry me off to another one. He was with his mistress when their bodies were swallowed up by the ocean. Yes, I hated him but I didn't wish him dead either. Do you realize that not once have you even asked how I was, how I'm coping with all of this? No! Your only concern is forcing me into another loveless marriage."

"Elena, you will not talk to us like this!"

"I'll marry again when I want and with a man of my choosing. One who will love and cherish me and trust me to make my own decisions," she continues as if there was no interruption. "And if you try to stop me, the whole world will know what kind of a person George Lockwood IV was."

"You wouldn't," her mother breathes out, pallor washing over her.

"I can and I will. Don't doubt me."

She lets the silence fill the room, then she gets up and nods as a goodbye, neither making an effort to stop her. She feels fatigued and ready for the day to end, but she has one more visit to make before she can go to see the people that mean something to her.

July 7

Damon pulls a hankie out of his pocket to wipe the sweat off of his brow. To say this day has been a stem-winder is an understatement. The day started out with an accident as they were unloading heavy cargo. One of their workers was crushed and the other suffered multiple fractures and may yet lose his life too. The financial loss was considerable, let alone the added costs of postponing the ship's departure till tomorrow is another huge ordeal. People had arrived only to be sent home to return the next day. The only good part about this horrible, no good, highly stressful day is that the manager took him aside and commended him for his hard work.

Damon is good at what he does. When he talks to people, they listen to him, he's good at numbers and at technical details. He has extensive knowledge of the shipping industry and is able to use it to the advantage of the company. His superior asked him to consider staying with the firm and that there was a good chance that he'd be in line for a promotion soon. He can almost imagine doing this for an extended period of time. Almost. The sea calls to him like a siren.

By the time he gets home, it dawns on him that he already considers the Mikaelson's family and their estate 'home'. He's famished as he was unable to break for lunch after the catastrophic events at the dock today. The idea of having a few drinks with Kol is appealing as well and by then it'll be almost time for him to retire for the night so he can get up at the crack of dawn and do it all over again. It's not that late when he steps into the house. The first thing he wants to do is take a bath. He's covered in sweat and grime and he stinks. The maid, Isobel, hurries over to take his things from him.

Just as he puts his foot on the bottom step to go to his room, he freezes, stopping in his tracks. He can hear the voice that he's been hoping to hear for weeks now. It's the sweetest sound echoing into the foyer from the main parlor. He forgets everything about his appearance, his exhaustion and quickly moves in that direction. When he appears at the threshold, Elena stops talking, their eyes meeting from across the room. Although her eyes are focused firmly on his, the corners of her mouth begin to lift making her whole face glow.

"Officer Salvatore...?"

In shock, Damon gawps for a few seconds before a sound finally escapes his mouth. "Ele... I.. Mrs. Lockwood."

Sage laughs and hurries to help Damon out. "We've gotten quite informal here, we all use first names." The redhead winks at Elena while nudging Damon forward.

"Of course," Elena quickly agrees. "Damon?"

"Elena...," he gushes and is in front of her in no time. With a wide smile, he lifts her hand to his mouth, holding it a little longer than necessary. He brushes each fingertip with his lips before releasing it.

Kol and Sage share a look and excuse themselves from the room.

As soon as they hear the parlor door click shut, he pulls her into his arms and joins their lips in a fiery kiss.

"Why didn't you want me to help you? Or Sage and Kol? It must have been so hard on you..."

"It's not that, you have been my greatest support, Damon. Even though you weren't there, you still helped me to get through it. The whole time I was away, even though I couldn't see you, you were right there, your strength giving me the power to do what I needed to do."

Damon can't believe what she's saying, and most of all that she's here, holding his hand. They've been sitting on the bench in the garden for hours now. When they hear kids squealing for papa and grandma, Damon knows that Niklaus and his family have arrived and that dinner will be served shortly. He helps her to stand and with their arms linked, they walk very slowly back to the house.

"Was it bad?" he asks, before they go inside.

"It... wasn't pleasant," Elena doesn't want to lie but she's not exactly eager to repeat the conversations. "But it was necessary. And you are worth it." She smiles and squeezes Damon's hand. They are no longer obliged to keep their distance from each other as before.

"What happens now?" Damon still feels a bit unsure. Although with each passing moment, he starts to believe that she's truly his. It's the most wonderful, the most precious feeling that he's ever felt.

Elena gives him a small smile. "Now, Damon, the future depends only on us... This is our day one and as far as what we do with it goes, that's a decision we'll make together."

Damon watches a shadow wash over her features. "Elena?"

"I have to tell you something though," she pauses but Damon's just patiently waiting for when she's ready, bracing himself for whatever it might be. "I... may not be able to give you children." He can see how painful this confession is for her.

He quickly maneuvers to step in front of her, stopping her movement. With his eyes firmly on hers, he snakes his arms under hers, clasps his hands together at the small of her back and waits till she raises her eyes to meet his. "You know this for sure, Elena or is it something that George taunted you with?"

Elena shrugs, but it's not indifference, it's a deep wound he can tell. "I've never had a doctor confirm it if that's what you mean. It's just that George and I were together for two years and I never got pregnant. He told me that he had 'accidents before," her face twists in disgust at the thought of what an abhorrent man he really was.

Damon embraces her for a moment. They're hidden by the trees, no one should be able to see them. He gives her a gentle kiss on the forehead, then when she raises her chin, he plants another one on her lips. "I love you... Let's not worry about that now. We'll cross the bridge when we have to. If you want my opinion, what's two years, it's nothing. My parents were married for six years before my mother got pregnant with me. And if it is true, I am completely happy to have just you. I don't want to marry you for children alone, I want to marry you because of you."

Elena's breath hitches when she realizes what he's saying. She opens her mouth to speak but no sound comes out. Damon brushes his finger across her lips and then bends forward and whispers against them, "I knew you were the one the first time I laid eyes on you. I was up on A deck watching the passengers embark. I saw you and I was a goner. But when you kissed me that night, I knew with absolute certainty that you were made for me. I just didn't know it would ever be possible for us to be together... Please say yes."

Elena finds herself nodding without needing to think about it at all. "I will..."

Damon's face is beaming. He only now realizes that he has no ring, although he already has one picked out. He saw it in a shop window while he passed by on the way to work. He still doesn't have the house or permanent job. She's a young widow from the upper class, a whole world away from his own and yet he knows they were fated to be together. And suddenly, he's feeling an overriding need to check her left hand, she may still be wearing his ... No, her hands are bare.

He kisses the back of her fingers. She wouldn't come to him with George's ring on her finger. He contemplates apologizing for not having the ring ready but she clearly didn't expect one. It warms his heart to see her skin, her complexion, her whole demeanor radiating with joy and happiness. It makes his heart swell. He did this, he made her happy. And then he leans down, capturing her lips with his, a long, slow, deep kiss, that weakens her knees. Elena melts into him as he tilts her head slightly. He gently nibbles on her lip, soothing it with his tongue. When they part, their eyes meet and a huge smiles forms on both of their faces.

Damon doesn't say anything, he simply holds her close because this moment is perfect as it is.

TBC

Eva, I love you dearly. Thank you for allowing me to monopolize your time and keep you up till the wee hours of dawn.

Thank you to each and everyone of you. Your support is what keeps me and Eva engaged in writing these stories. You are the best there is. Thank you so much.

Chapter title: Starting on Day One.

Please have a look at "Tomorrow" and "TIWWM".

I hope you all have a phenomenal weekend. Love you all and thank you again.