"I'll be alright, Enzo, I'm free on Monday so there's no need for me to spend the whole weekend in Vegas and besides that, I want to surprise him... I think he can take it." she teases, a radiant smile lighting up her face.
"Are you sure you don't want to play the slots why you're there? You do remember how well your 'surprises' turned out in the past, right? I know he's... evolving but how much exactly?"
She can tell he's joking. Shockingly Enzo has done complete 180 where Damon is concerned, practically becoming his biggest cheerleader overnight. It's astounding really.
"No, I'm not going to waste my time gambling. And you're right, Damon is evolving, I believe in him, alright? You," she starts, emphasizing the word, "enjoy the weekend with Bonnie, feel free to use all of our house... except for my bedroom of course."
Enzo laughs, "Now that, my friend, sounds like a challenge."
"Ewww, don't you dare!" She knows he's just joking and plays along.
"Okay, okay, your room, your sanctuary. Be careful Elena, let me know when you get there and what time you're scheduled to arrive on Monday."
They end the call, Elena is feeling relaxed and content. She wasn't even aware of how much her own ebullient state of mind has influenced Enzo's. He is spending more time with Bonnie while still working his ass for her career and wellbeing in general. She feels a little guilty for occupying so much of his time. It's different now. Better.
Elena pays for the cab and glances at her watch. Since it's the weekend, she only has a carry on bag so no need to wait in line to check in her luggage. Having darted out of the studio the moment the cameras stopped rolling, she walks into one of the airport's lounges to grab a sandwich. She's so excited that her belly is churning and alight with butterflies at what she's about to do. It's been years since she felt like this.
For a brief moment she considers giving Damon a call because she has enough self awareness, born from experience, to know that another rejection might destroy her. However, the image of his face lighting up with an infectious smile makes her shove the phone back to her handbag.
She's who she's always been... the same young girl whose mother taught her to follow her own path, she won't turn back now.
When she hears her flight called overhead, she finishes her coffee, takes her bag and hurries to catch her flight.
Damon suppresses a yawn, not for the first time since his first class started this morning. Thankfully it's Friday and he gets to leave in... one hour and 25 minutes. He doubts or at least he hopes that no one will feel the need to stop him after class to ask a bunch of questions. Usually the future historians that take his class aren't all that eager by the time Friday rolls around.
It's only been two weeks since he last saw Elena but it's felt more like an eternity.
Things between himself and Vanessa are frosty at best. She does do her job with the same precision she always has but there's no creative cooperation between them anymore and he doubts there ever will be again. He can't blame her but he also knows that they won't be able to continue to work together. It's going to have to be dealt with, sooner rather than later. On the bright side, the problem should soon resolve itself...
He stops at the cafeteria to have a quick lunch and then heads back to his classroom for the last one of the day. He raises his hand to the students without bothering to even look at them. Besides, a third of the students skip out on Fridays to get an early start on the weekend. After finishing what's left in his water bottle, he opens his notebook and starts his lecture.
"The last time we met, we discussed romanticism in art history. Today we'll review what we learned and then continue with artists that represent this viewpoint of history. Mr. Lockwood, can you tell us what century we're talking about here?"
While Mr. Lockwood correctly places the artistic movement to first half of 19th century, Damon's eyes check the people in class, nearly choking on his saliva when he notices a petite brunette. He's certain that he's seen her somewhere.
She's wearing a university tee shirt and skinny jeans along with sexy pair of glasses. Her hair is in a pony tail, she's not wearing a stitch of makeup and still she's a vision as if Aphrodite herself sculpted the mold. He does a double take to make sure that his eyes aren't deceiving him.
"Can you define romanticism for us, Miss...?"
She meets his unwavering stare with one of her own. "Romanticism was an artistic and intellectual movement that originated in late 18th century western Europe. It stressed strong emotion, imagination, freedom within or even from classical notions in art, overturning previous societal conventions, particularly the positions of the aristocracy..."
The almighty internet.. Of course he wouldn't be able to trip her up on such an easy question. She knows everything about different artistic movements. That's her profession and she always goes to great lengths to prepare herself for her parts.
"Ehm, alright... Miss," Damon flips through a few pages of his notebook. "Let's see how well prepared you really are." He focuses his eyes only on her and it's as if the rest of the class simply fades away. Their mischievous glint seems to reflect the corners of her mouth which are fighting a smile. They glow with humor and a playfulness that gives him shivers and wraps him in a warm embrace at the same time.
With a subtle wink, Elena offers, "Name's Langdon."
Damon nearly erupts into raucous laughter but somehow he manages to disguise it with a cough. "Alright, enough," he adds trying to get his students to shut it when they start chattering like Myna birds. Much to his relief, the ruckus quickly dies down.
"Now, which one of you will tell us about characteristics of the period?"
He isn't the least bit surprised when Elena's hand flies upwards immediately.
After he finishes his lesson and answers a few more questions, the students pile out of the classroom to get to their next one, Elena slowly collects her things and puts them in her backpack, all part of her little act today. Damon looks around, his eyes twinkling with mirth when blue meets brown.
"Miss Langdon, can you step into my office please?"
Elena's head shoots up, her own eyes sparkling with amusement. She quickly slips back into character when she notices that they're not the only people in the room.
"Um.. Yes, of course, Professor Salvatore."
Once the last student slips through the door, Damon waits for her at the threshold. With a wink that only she can see, he leads her down the corridor towards his office. Mesmerized by her beauty and the fact that she's here, he keeps looking at her, his heart is thumping with anticipation, knowing that as soon as they're behind his closed door, he's going to wrap her in his arms and kiss her senseless.
They're within a few feet of his office when Vanessa crosses their path. Without paying attention to her, she steps in front of him. "Damon? Can you give me a few minutes? I have some things that I need to talk to you about."
The last thing he wants to do in this moment is get into a long discussion about whatever she has in mind but he's not sure he can avoid it without bringing Elena to her attention. It's not that he's embarrassed or ashamed to have Elena at his side, far from it but he also sees no need to hurt Vanessa anymore than he already has.
"Does it have to be now? I have a meeting with one of my students," he nods quickly in Elena's direction.
Vanessa only now realizes that Damon isn't alone. Apparently she doesn't recognize his wife because she gives her a disinterested look. However, she takes one more look because she doesn't remember seeing this particular girl when she substituted for Damon while he was in California. And yet she does look remotely familiar. Brushing it off, she ignores her and turns back to Damon.
"I'm not sure that it can be delayed..."
"Um, Professor Salvatore, I can wait," the girl offers.
Damon looks at her searchingly, then nods. "Alright Miss Langdon, thank you. I'll be with you shortly."
He pulls his door open then steps aside so Vanessa can go in first. His eyes meet Elena's as he shuts the door behind them. He takes a deep breath to fortify himself and then turns to face her, giving her his full attention. She has a serious expression on her face. He knows whatever she has to say isn't going to be pleasant.
Damon sighs and before she even opens her mouth to begin, he offers, "Look, Vanessa, I'm really very sorry about everything. We're both on pins and needles around each other and I wish I could change that. I know this is especially difficult for you and again, I apologize but I believe I've come up with the best solution. After weighing the pros and cons, I've decided that I'm going to move to LA to be with Elena. I'll do everything I can to support you, I can talk to the Dean, whatever it takes if you decide that you want to stay here and take over my job. You're more than qualified for it. This is your home, Vanessa, you belong here. Don't leave because of me. If you ever go, do it on your own terms."
"You're... leaving? You, LA, that makes no sense? Los Angeles represents everything you hate. You spend a few weeks there and you turn your life upside down. What's happened to you, Damon?" she's more than surprised, even shaking her head back and forth as if in shock.
"Ness?"
She points her finger towards the door. "I'm just going to..."
Damon gives her a crooked smile, "Leave? Don't go, not unless and until it's something that you really want. It's weird isn't it? How life sometimes has its own ideas?"
Vanessa nods and takes a step to leave. "I'll be on my way then..."
"Before you leave, I'd like to add one more thing. I hope that someday you can find it in your heart to forgive me. It was never my intention... "
She pulls it open and then pauses, their eyes meeting one last time.
"Good luck, Ness."
She smiles tightly and walks out, pulling the door closed behind her. Damon breathes a sigh of relief. He can feel the definitiveness of it. He's ready to move on. With her.
Almost immediately after she leaves his office, Damon goes in search of Elena. He looks in the cafeteria and the library. He finally finds her walking down the corridor, stopping to look through the windows that surround the courtyard. His smile widens from ear to ear and then very quietly he closes the distance between them.
"Are you ready to go?" he speaks from behind her.
Elena turns around and smiles. "Of course."
"I'm sorry that you had to wait, because of..." he trails off.
Elena caresses his face with her eyes, she doesn't want to cause a scandal if she touched him, something a student would never do. "I'm sorry too. I didn't want to play charades with Vanessa but since she didn't recognize me, I didn't see any reason to hurt her further with my presence."
"You are the most amazing woman I've ever met." His heart is bursting with so much love that all he wants to do is kiss her. Damon gently takes her under her elbow and directs her to the back door.
"I'm so glad you're here..." he smiles contently.
After Damon finishes putting his things away in his office, he locks the door and then the two of them leave the building on foot. His heart is exploding with happiness having her here with him.
"Where are we going?" Elena asks as they head down the sidewalk with Damon leading the way.
"Just wait for it," he responds, takes her hand and has her in tow. Elena's eyes widen in awe as she wonders what has become of her serious, reserved husband? She always knew he had potential still... Before long, they end up standing in front of a small bar that doesn't look at all familiar to her.
'Paddy Murphy's Irish Pub' is flashing in neon lights above the door.
"What's here? We've never been here before."
"No we haven't, but I feel like celebrating the fact that you so unexpectedly crashed my lesson and I couldn't be happier about that," he kisses the crown of her head, "and, I'm sure there will be some people inside that I'd like to introduce you to."
Elena's mouth forms an 'o' and she follows him inside. Her eyes need to adjust to the darkness, but when they do, she finds herself in a cozy room. She's mesmerized by the fish tank that's built into the shape of an ale tankard. She pulls free from Damon to get a closer look. He chuckles and follows wrapping his arms around her from behind, he presses a kiss to the back of her neck. She shivers and then looks around a little more. There are green and gold curtains, neon lights, wooden booths. There's a big long bar top with a mirrored bar, an endless supply of alcohol. She laughs at the great big leprechaun. There is also a stage for live music. As she turns a little farther, the first familiar person she sees is...
"You want to introduce me to your lawyer? I already know Ric!" With a smile she heads over to him who clearly doesn't recognize her at the first glance.
"Damon, what the fuck?" he hisses. "When did you become one of those creepy professors who sneak around with their students?"
Damon barks with laughter. "I think I'm insulted, Ric?"
Elena grins, "Thank you Ric, every woman likes to hear she doesn't age."
Ric turns to her and his eyes almost bulge out of his head. "Elena? What are you doing here?"
"She just showed up in my class this afternoon, she kicked my other students' asses with her witty commentary."
Ric quickly pulls another chair over and after they sit down, he asks what they want to drink.
"Give us a few minutes Ric. I need to make the rounds with her first. There's a few people who I'd like her to meet." He drags Elena to another table, leaving a shocked Ric behind.
Elena's stunned, Damon not only introduces her to a few of his colleagues, he's actually bragging about her. They're rather normal people, not stuffy or arrogant, enjoying Friday evening like everyone else. Elena chats with a pair of them, a married couple and definitely not snobs. Professor Matt Donovan and his wife April tell her they've never seen Damon as free and easy going as he's been over the last few weeks, even expressing how happy they are to meet her.
After taking their seats, Damon starts to chat animatedly with another colleague of his, history professor Connor Jordan, Elena can tell the two have always a lot to talk about. Still, their looks often go to her and Elena can recognize in Damon's eyes something she never thought would be there.
Pride.
Ric joins them soon and they all have a pleasant evening. It's after ten when Damon shares a look with Elena and they agree on calling it a night. Elena had a busy week and didn't close an eye during the flight. Besides, she wants to have her husband just for herself.
"It was nice, getting to know your friends and colleagues," Elena adds appreciatively, "thank you."
"No, thank you Elena. It was pure pleasure to watch them, one by one fall under your spell, the same way I did a few years ago. I actually liked to see them pea green with envy!" Damon grins.
They took a cab, dropping Ric off at his house and now Elena's standing in the house she once called home. She looks around, touches a few things and returns Damon's grin.
"And you were shamelessly boasting."
"What can I say?" Damon shrugs. "Can you blame me?" He comes to stand behind her and embraces her, putting his chin on her shoulder. "Are you...? Do you feel alright here? I mean, it must seem weird, you know being here?"
Elena puts her hands on his forearms, looking at the garden through the window. "I'm alright... It was my home Damon, still is. But you're right, it does feel weird."
"Are you hungry? Do you want to go to bed, you must be tired? And um... where do you want to sleep?"
"Damon...," she turns around in his arms to meet his stare. "I think we're past this?"
Damon's breath gets stuck in his throat. Is she saying what he thinks she's saying? "You mean...?"
"Yes Damon, that's exactly what I mean, that is if you want me to?" she searches his eyes.
"Are you kidding?" he whispers, then grabs her and carries her upstairs to their room. Once he sets her down, he brushes his lips against hers.
"I'll give you some privacy," Damon tells her and leaves her in the room alone.
When he comes back, Elena has already showered, now she's laying on their bed, looking at the ceiling, trying to memorize everything she once knew. Damon can't get enough of the sight. He sits on the bed next to her.
"I missed you more than I can put into words..."
"I missed you too," she replies, shifting to make room for him.
Damon lays down next to her and for a long while he says nothing. Words aren't necessary.
"I don't know how to explain it, Elena. It sounds insane, I know that but it was like I was somehow, without my knowledge, imprisoned in a limbo of sorts. I kept thinking and trying to let you go, but I never did and honestly, I never could..."
His words are like a balm to Elena's wounds. She needs to touch him now. She needs to feel that he's real. Raising her hand, she puts her palm on his cheek and lets it rest for a few moments. Then she leans closer and gives him the sweetest kiss. Damon doesn't hesitate to return the favor and in no time they're kissing as if it's their last kiss.
The closer they get, the more impatient his body is. He can tell that she wants it too. It's been too long.
So what's holding him back? It's his own sense of guilt and shame, he can't just take her but she's calling shots here and her signals are crystal clear. This is not a one night stand, or a rushed sex after three days dating. She's his wife, and she will be treated like one.
Damon's hand slips under Elena's nightgown and freezes for a bit to see if she wants this or not. From the way she arches her back against his palm he thinks she's not opposed to it. He helps her out of her nightgown and his shirt and trousers follow.
She's beautiful.
His hand drifts to her hip, it settles there and pulls her closer. She sucks in a sharp breath when she's flush against his warm chest. His breathing quickens when he begins nuzzling her neck with feather light kisses, so faint they are like whispers. She begins to tremble and his head angles up slightly to the side as his lips come closer and closer to hers. Their breaths mingle making her heart flutter inside her chest. At first it's a delicate butterfly-like kiss and then his arms encircle her, drawing her to him like moth to flame.
His lips are gentle and warm, she feels her hands begin to move up his chest and circle around his neck as the kiss intensifies. Damon's hand tightens around her waist and pulls her impossibly closer, kissing her hungrily, wanting, needing more.
Then she feels herself being pushed backwards while Damon's body presses against hers. Their kiss is unending, their lips move together become more passionate and heated with each second that passes. When they part he lays her down admiring the flush of her body.
Her dusky nipples react with the colder air and he swallows thickly, longing to take their erect form into his mouth. She tastes like honey and lemon peel and makes soft noises as his lips travel over her skin. He pauses for a moment to meet her eyes, he's mesmerized by the deep swirls of brown that color her pupils. And then he captures her lips, each one has a raw, visceral intensity. Their breaths come in quick spurts and their hearts beat faster.
And then their skin is moving softly together, like the finest silk. She feels his hand enter from below moving fast, their tongues entwine in a kiss, and then he's inside, changing her breathing with every thrust. Suddenly he stops to drop kisses from her breasts to her stomach, then he adds his tongue, licking, laving and using his fingers all at once.
Seeing her reaction, feeling how her legs move, bewitched by the way her body writhes, he whispers what he's going to do and she lets out a moan, unable to form a coherent response. And then he's on her again, each foray harder and just long enough to inflame her mind before stopping to roll her onto her belly, taking time to caress her delicate curves with his palm, his mouth following the same path.
Elena's body comes alive under his ministrations, she can't believe they're here, in their home, making love again. He moves to cover her form with his own, his weight pressing her into the mattress. Heat radiates between them and she lets out a guttural moan. It deepens the carnal desire already exploding inside of him and he nudges her legs apart, which is completely unnecessary as she already made space for him. He joins their hands as he enters her from behind. It's the most exquisite feeling and for a second he lays still to let them both savor the moment. Feeling Elena's hips shift beneath him, Damon's hips automatically jerk against hers.
It earns him another heady moan and then he's thrusting with precision, having not forgotten how she likes it. It doesn't take long to bring them both to the edge and he can't even think about stopping. He slips his hand under her, his fingers driving her wild for the last few moments before she's swept away by a powerful orgasm. One, two, three... and he releases, bathing her womb with his warmth, her inner muscles coaxing every last drop. She's shaking violently and he quickly rolls on his side, taking care not to crush her while bringing her along. He holds her tightly, her back to his chest. Her breath comes in short gasps and he soothes her with gentle caresses and soft words.
"I love you so much. I'll never let you go, Elena, I'll never let you down again."
Elena squeezes his hand to return the sentiment. She will never let him down either.
After awhile she turns around in his arms and her sparkling eyes are the best vision in the world. He kisses her sweet lips tenderly and holds her close.
"I feel like my life has started all over. I know I was in denial but having you here with me, I feel alive for the first time since you walked out that door three long years ago."
"Damon?" she whispers, brown eyes meeting blue.
"Don't feel guilty, Elena. I pushed you away and I intend to spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Thank you for giving me a second chance to do this, to make you happy, to be the husband I should have been from the start."
Elena moves even closer. "You gave us another chance as well, Damon. Where would I be if you had decided we were no longer worth the effort."
She can see he wants to protest and puts her finger over his lips to prevent an argument. "Let's just say we're both extremely lucky we found our way back to each other."
"I couldn't agree more," his voice resonates in his chest and Elena has to smile at that. "Elena," he continues, "I made a decision. I'm going to move to LA to be with you. We can start our new life there if you agree?"
Elena's eyes widen. "You don't have to do that. I would never ask you to give up something you love, your work is here... I'll still travel a lot, there's no need for you to uproot yourself. Ric is here, your family is close."
Damon shakes his head no. "It didn't exactly work out very well the last time. If you don't want LA, then we'll start new somewhere else, wherever you choose. You are my family, Elena, my home is wherever you are."
"If you're sure..."
"I am, it's what I want."
"How about we sleep on it... tomorrow we'll talk?"
"Oh no no," Damon's grin goes wider. "I'm nowhere near done with you for the night Mrs. Salvatore..."
It's been too long.
Eva and I want to thank you so very much. We're in awe and so incredibly grateful to all of you.
Thank you, Eva, my sister. I love you dearly.
Chapter title: 'Angels and Demons' by Aviators.
As soon as we finish writing WTTJ, we have "Once Upon a December" on the drawing board as well as "Waiting for a Star to Fall." I do post collages that I make for our stories on my scarlett2112 fb page. The address is in my profile if you're interested. You just have to copy and paste.
Thank you all again, you're the best of the DE fandom. We'll see you next with WTTJ 6. Have a wonderful day.