I don't own the vampire diaries and I don't own the characters.
This takes place after the events in my fanfic Soulmates always find a way.
The POV's will be from Damon and Elena.
Enjoy.
Feedback is appreciated.


Chapter 20- As long as we both shall live

Damon's POV

I took one more look at the white arch of flowers that I was standing under and took a deep long breath. This was it. In a few moments Elena would come walking out the back doors of the boardinghouse and we would tie ourselves to each other in every possible way. Our guests were already seated and in the cases of Jenna, Miranda, and my own mother, were already crying even though nothing had happened...yet. I was standing next to Jeremy and next to him was Ric. Music started playing and I felt a hand on my shoulder pushing against me with force.

"Stop bouncing. You're giving me motion sickness. Calm down Damon."

I stared briefly at Jeremy, I hadn't realized I was bouncing up and down. I haven't done that in almost a hundred years, it's a nervous habit that I'd thought I'd broken a long time ago when I became a vampire. I guess now I was human again my habit kicked back in. First down the aisle was one of Elena's cousins throwing flowers on the ground. I tried to object to this and was reminded that I had said I just wanted to pick out my tux and be told where to meet her, yet I had to admit the little girl looked adorable even when she ran out of flowers and started to pout. I chuckled and walked to kneel in front of her, "It's okay little one. Come on." I held her hand and walked with her the rest of the way. The guests laughed and then Caroline and Bonnie made their way down the aisle. Once they took their spots across the platform from Me, Jeremy, and Ric my heart started to pound.

Dun dun dun dun
Dun dun dun dun

It was like someone was taking a jackhammer to my heart. I felt Jeremy's hand again and he was trying not to laugh. Damn this nervous habit. The doors opened once more and my jaw dropped and my breath stopped when I saw her. She was even more beautiful than usual. Her hair was curled and being held back by a clip that I couldn't see. I noted that she opted for no veil which was fine with me. Her dress was beautiful and an off white creamy color. It was strapless and fit every curve of her body perfectly. It flowed out at her knees and had a semi-long train behind her. The bouquet was red roses and vervain, odd combination but she made it work. Her makeup had been kept to a minimum and I loved that, she didn't need makeup anyways. I hadn't noticed my attention gap until Jeremy nudged me in the back and cleared his throat.

"Huh?" I whispered the word and everyone laughed. I noted that Grayson was holding Elena's hand out to me and at first I looked at him confused. Was I supposed to do something now?

"Again. Her mother and I do, give her to YOU." He almost yells the last word and I'm brought back to the task at hand. How could I have forgotten that I was supposed to take her hand from him. I mentally slap myself as I lock my fingers around hers and kiss the back of her hand.

We turn to face the preacher man and he starts talking. We are gathered, blah blah blah. I know I should listen better so I don't make a complete idiot out of myself at my own wedding but I'm too distracted. I'm staring at Elena and I can't help but think, what did I do to deserve her? She's an angel and I'm...a dick, like everyone said last night before they had said I changed...because of her. "And now it's time for the vows. The couple has written their own and Damon would you like to go first?" The preacher mans words snap me out of my thoughts and I clear my throat and nod my head. I pull the piece of paper out of my pocket and unfold it.

"Elena, my darling Elena. When we met it was at the worst time. You were dating my little brother and I was lost in every way. You were the one thing I never knew I was looking for and the one thing I knew I didn't deserve. I fell for you instantly and never once looked back. I made some bad choices in life but you, you made me want to be the better man. I tried for you and I stumbled a lot along the way but somewhere along the way you realized I was worth saving...in every way possible. You did that, you saved me. The past years I've pushed you too far, nearly lost you forever, and been slapped more than I ever thought possible but I wouldn't change a thing about it. I love you and I'm so unbelievably happy that by some miracle you love me back. You chose me when no one else ever has and I promise you today that I will always choose you. No matter what lies ahead for us I will stand by you and be whatever you need me to be. I will always choose you babe. I love you. As long as we both shall live."

By the time I'd finished she was crying and her mascara was running. I laughed and wiped it away with my thumbs and everyone broke out into a chorus of "Awwwww." She blushed and shook her head until Caroline shoved a piece of paper at her. "Elena. Your vows to Damon." She took a deep breath and began unfolding her piece of paper.

"Damon. We met and it was life changing. You were the mysterious stranger with all the answers. At first I was scared to admit I'd fallen for you so I tried to hide it. It became harder and harder because not only did my feelings for you grow but you became my best friend. You were and still are the one person I can count on to always be there. No matter how many times I screw up or push you away you push back and never leave me. Everyone always saw me as this fragile girl who would break but you never did. You see me as a strong, stubborn, girl full of life but what you don't know is that you make me that girl. I'm strong because you are, I'm stubborn because lets face it you need stuborness sometimes, and I'm full of life because you are my life and you make it a happy life worth living. I promise you that I will always stay with you and love you and make you as happy as you make me. You're it for me. I love you. As long as we both shall live." She finished and looked up at me. I was so speechless and completely consumed by her that I couldn't wait anymore.

I turned and grabbed the rings out of Jeremy's coat pocket and grabbed her hand. "Fuck tradition. I love you." I mumbled the words as I pushed the ring on her finger and she smiled as she put my ring on my finger. I wasted no time in grabbing her and kissing her senseless.

"I guess that means you do and you may now go on kissing your bride." I barely hear people laughing and clapping. Our tongues are locked in a war each one battling for the dominance that we knew neither of us would find. We only pulled away when we ran out of air and were left gasping at the alter. "Ladies and Gentleman. Mr. and Mrs. Damon Salvatore." Our guests applaud and we slowly turn to face them. I put my arms around her waist and walk behind her as we make our way down the aisle. I know from the rehearsal that Caroline being escorted by Jeremy and Bonnie escorted by Ric are following us. We take our wedding photos and then we are alone in the limo heading towards the reception that's being held in the park.

Unfortunately the ride is a quick one and we aren't able to do more than make out in the back of the limo. I growl as it stops and we are both left unsatisfied. "Let's do this so I can get you in bed and show you how much I fucking love you wifey." She laughs and pats my cheek.

"Love the romanticism. Let's go hubbie."

I let her pull me out of the limo and I come to a halt as I see the decorations. Damn that blonde vampire. There's a big wooden floor that was obviously temporarily laid out for dancing. There are several round tables with people already sitting down and one long rectangle table for the wedding party. I've never really been much of a dancer, I'm good at it but I usually only dance when I get drunk. Getting drunk is definitely not on my to do list at my wedding reception. All of this was not what was making me regret letting Caroline plan the reception, it was the big ass screen she had set up at the end of the dance floor because obviously it was meant to show pictures of the newlywed couple. After we were greeted by our families and friends I led my Elena out to the middle of the floor. One look into her eyes and I forgot my earlier thoughts. Everything faded and was replaced by overwhelming happiness that she was finally mine. It was time for our dance and this was the one thing I had begged Caroline to let me organize. I smiled and held up a finger for her to wait there as I went to the sound area of the stage. I grabbed a cordless mic and clipped it onto the collar of my shirt. I walked back to her and was rewarded when she stared completely surprised at the mic she saw I put on.

"Ahem. Instead of just dancing with my lovely wife, I'm going to serenade her." I was rewarded when she blushed and I took her in my arms. "I love you Mrs. Salvatore."

"I love you Mr. Salvatore."

Only one person knew what song I had chosen, Ric. Most people wouldn't expect me to pick this particular genre of song but it described what I had with Elena perfectly. The music started and I started singing to her.

"One word, that's all you said. Something in your voice caused me to turn my head. Your smile, just captured me. You were in my future far as I could see. And I don't know how it happened, but it happened still. You asked me if I loved you, if I always will. Well you had me from hello. I felt love start to grow. The moment that I looked into your eyes you won me. It was over from the start. You completely stole my heart and now you won't let go. I never even had a chance you know. You had me from hello." I dipped her down and she giggled, her eyes never left me and it felt like I was literally in heaven. In a way I was...I was in my own personal heaven. "Inside I built a wall so high around my heart I thought I'd never fall. One touch, your brought it down. The bricks of my defenses scattered on the ground. And I swore to me I wasn't gonna love again. The last time was the last time I'd let someone in." I spun her away from me and back just like I had at one of her high school dances. I swoop her up bridal style and spin around 3 times before setting her back down on the ground. I've got moves you've never seen. My words come back to me as I pull her to me and wrap my arms securely around her waist and just start swaying slowly from side to side. "But you had me from hello. I felt love start to grow. The moment that I looked into your eyes, you won me. It was over from the start, you completely stole my heart. And now you won't let go. I never even had a chance you know. You had me from hello."

By the time I finished the song she was crying and holding me so tight I would have sworn she was a vampire still. She started to lead me off the floor and to the table when we heard Klaus's voice over the microphone on stage.

"Wait. If I could just ask the lovely couple to come back to middle of the floor please." We both look at him but oblige him, he did say fucking please for the first time ever. "Thank you. Now." He jumps down with the mic and stands in front of us. "As you know I've been out of town searching for the perfect present and I think I've found it. Please turn this way and close your eyes. Please." He only says please because neither of us move. What the hell is the original vamp planning now? "Caroline, music please sweetheart." The music starts and I notice the song. Quietdrive, time after time. A cover of the Cyndi Lauper song. I'm still holding Elena's hand and the anticipation is building. I hate feeling this vulnerable. I hear the feedback of a mic and then the one voice I never thought I'd hear again starts singing.

"Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick and think of you. Caught up in circles confusion is nothing new. You say go slow, I fall behind. The second hand unwinds." I look at Elena and we both turn around with our jaws on the floor. "If you're lost you can look and you will find me, time after time. If you fall I will catch you. I will be waiting. Time after time." The music stops and he walks until he's in front of us. "If I knock three times it means I see someone coming upstairs, if I knock once it means Damon better get his ass out your window. That is how it went right little sister?" He had thrown the mic and grabbed Elena in a hug. I heard his words only because he whispered them to both of us.

"Elliot?" We both say his name in surprise.

"I lost my sister and my best friend once. I couldn't do it again. You aren't the only ones who changed something about the past."

It had hit me at that moment that Elliot was who Klaus went to find. He had known Elliot had changed the future. Klaus had wanted to let Elena and I know that we weren't alone. Once Elliot lets her go she runs and hugs Klaus who just strokes her back in a friendly gesture. Elliot pats my shoulder and I pull him in for a hug. "I did miss you Gilbert."

"I know Salvatore. Best friends and all."

Elena comes back to us and leads us both to the rectangle table but Elliot shakes his head and goes to sit at the table that our family is sitting at. He's letting us know that he's there as family and doesn't want to overstep any boundaries. Typical Gilbert. Toasts are made. We dance some more. Elena dances with her dad, then Jeremy, Ric, Elliot, and Asher. I dance with my mom, Miranda, Jenna, Caroline, and even Bonnie. Once the reception is almost over Caroline grabs Elena and leads her to the dance floor once more with Bonnie in tow.

"Elena, the three of us once made a pact to dance to this at our weddings and now that it's almost over we are keeping that promise. So I don't care if everyone laughs you will dance with us!" I have no clue what's going on but Jeremy must because he spits out his drink and starts laughing very hard. Elena is blushing more than I've ever seen her blush. Something tells me this will probably be embarrassing for her. I had no clue how much so until I heard the song start. I recognized it only because I had vaguely heard it back when it first came out in like the 90's.

Yo I'll tell you what I want
What I really really want
So tell me what you want
What you really really want

I try to drown out the music until I hear Elena start singing and she locks eyes with me. Oh God she's seriously singing ME a spice girls song.

"If you want my future forget my past. If you wanna get with me you better make it fast. Now don't go wastin my precious time. Get your act together we could be just fine."

I groan and sit back with my arms crossed over my chest. I am really liking the fact that Elena is out there with her two best friends having a good time. Their dance is perfectly choreographed and just as I'm thinking it a video starts playing behind them. A freshman year looking Bonnie, Caroline and Elena are singing and dancing to the same song on the big screen behind them. I can't hold back my laughter anymore and I start laughing along with Jeremy, Ric and Klaus so hard that we all end up on the floor instead of our chairs.

My wife...is truly something else. We're perfect for each other.

Elena's POV

I roll my eyes as Damon continues driving me to some unknown location for our honeymoon. He's still laughing his ass off at the stupid dance Care made me do. Seriously we made the promise when we were freshman at cheer camp, I never expected it to be kept. "Please stop laughing."

"I'm sorry. It's just...funny. I'm sorry, really I am. I'll stop."

I shake my head, he won't stop. He tries very hard until I see him smirk and he starts laughing again. It wasn't that funny. I stare out the window until I realize where were going. Our new home. I'd only been here once but I remember the roads perfectly. We pull up the circle driveway and he parks the car.

"There are honeymoon rules Mrs. Salvatore. One, no cell phones...period." I smile and hand over my cell and he puts it with his in the glove box. "Two, we don't leave the bedroom." I nod as I see the glint of lust and love in his eyes. He gets out of the car and opens my door. I grab his hand and he pulls me into his arms bridal style. He walks to the door and kicks it open, obviously only Damon would leave a door unlocked. I'm over the threshold and he practically runs me to the bedroom. He sets me down and I gasp as I look around the room. He's been busy.

The room looks beautiful. The bed and the floor are all covered in red rose petals. Seriously not an inch is left untouched. There are candles on all the dressers and bedside tables. I go to sit on the bed and sink down unexpectedly. He chuckles at my surprised expression.

"I've always wanted a waterbed. This will be fun."

I shake my head and settle in the bed. Making love to Damon on a waterbed will definitely be very fun. I watch as he lays on the bed and turns me to face him. He runs his hands up and down my arms around to my back. God, even after all these years he still makes my heart race and I still feel the electricity in his touch. He slowly unzips my dress and I toss his tie on the floor. Our lips meet and the fireworks erupt. I quickly unbutton his shirt and he shrugs out of it tossing it to the floor. I stand up and let the dress fall to the floor. He pulls me back down on top of him and his hands find their way into my hair.

There is no rush tonight. Every touch and every kiss is gentle and loving and at a pace that can only be defined as perfect. His hands skim their way down until they find my breasts. He starts massaging them as I run my hands down his perfectly sculpted chest. I find the button on his pants and flick it open. He lifts his hips and I push his pants and boxers off and let them fall the floor. I grab him and roll us over so he's hovering over me. He places wet kisses all the way down my throat and onto my chest. He gently takes each nipple into his mouth and sucks and nibbles until they harden and then he continues his journey. His lips find that sensitive area that he knows drives me crazy. He works his way back up my body and repeats the same actions he did kissing down my body. By the time his lips find mine again I'm gasping for air and chanting his name like a prayer.

He rolls us over once again and I begin to show him just how much I love him. I kiss my way down his throat I suck and kiss my way across his chest from one shoulder to the other. I keep kissing him all the way down his chest and across and to his stomach and across until I reach his waist. I let my tongue glide across his skin from one hip to the other and I hear him growl and moan my name even louder. I make my way slowly back to his lips and once again our lips meet with the same electric jolt. I glide my tongue over his bottom lip and he takes it in his mouth and sucks...hard. I moan and it's swallowed up in his mouth. He positions himself at my entrance and I lower myself down on him slowly. I wait for a few minutes until I feel him slowly move his hips up to start the steady pace.

He sits up and pulls me closer to his chest our slow rhythm never breaking. He pulls his lips away from mine and buries his head in the crook of my neck.

"Elena. Ugh...I love you baby."

"I love you too. So so much."

I can feel our releases coming and I know he can too. He lays me down gently on the pillows and continues gently thrusting into me. He picks up the pace as our eyes lock, blue to brown. We find our release as we call out each others names. He falls next to me and pulls me onto his chest. I don't know how long we lay there just holding each other. This is just a short intermission, soon enough we will both be ready to go again, and again, and again. We make love to each other at least 5 more times before we are both too spent to continue. I let my eyes close as I lay my head over his heart and let the sound of his heart lull me to sleep.

I wake up when I see the light streaming through the window and I realize that Damon is gone. I sit up as quickly as I can for a 6 month pregnant woman, even though I only look like I'm about 4 months along. Thank God for my petite body and Meredith doesn't think I'll grow all that much even though I am having twins. I still have my high metabolism. I go to get out of bed and I hear his voice.

"Don't you think about it. Get back in that damn bed Lena Salvatore!"

I see him open the door with a tray of food for two. He made me breakfast in bed. He sits next to me and I stare at the breakfast he cooked. Chocolate chip pancakes, fried eggs, bacon, and a big glass of orange juice. It immediately takes me back to the first meal he EVER cooked for me.

I skipped down the stairs of the boardinghouse and into the kitchen. I was coming down to make Stefan coffee and found Damon in the kitchen.

"Hello Elena." He did that weird eye flirty thing that I secretly loved.

"Hi Damon." I greeted him back.

I was wearing one of Stefan's shirts and it went to my mid thigh. I could feel him checking me out as I made the coffee and I know I should have cared but I didn't. I liked that he was checking me out. I felt him come to stand behind me and smiled at the hitch in his breath as he got close to me. His breath was on my neck and it made me break out in goosebumps.

"I made you pancakes, bacon, eggs and orange juice. Enjoy my sweetheart."

With those words he was gone. I turned around and looked at the island behind me. There was enough food for two and my heart warmed at the gesture. He knew my favorite breakfast and made it for me when Stefan didn't even know I liked chocolate chip pancakes. I had never told Damon my favorite breakfast but somehow he knew. I saw the piece of paper under the plate of food and I slowly pulled it out.

Elena,
Eat your pancakes princess.
I'll spoil you even when Stefan doesn't.
I'll never stop.
Damon

His words were all it took for me to quietly acknowledge that yes I was falling in love with Damon Salvatore. He knew me better than anyone ever had and I always wanted that to be a true fact. I quickly at the food and took the other plate to his room upstairs. I set it on the floor along with a note that I had written him.

Damon,
Thank you.
I loved everything.
I always will.
Elena

I walked back to Stefan's room and set his coffee on the table. I crawled on the bed and stared at the vampire who I thought I had loved but little did I know that my heart was already across the house in Damon's bedroom. He had it and he never gave it back, I never wanted him to.

I was snapped out of the memory as I felt Damon put his arms around my waist. I scooted closer to him and he picked up the fork and brought it to my mouth. I shook my head and opened my mouth and took the bite of pancake.

"I'm not a kid babe. I can feed myself." I look up at him and he smiles down.

"I know. I just like to spoil you."

He feeds me a few more bites and then I return the favor. After we've eaten breakfast I lay back on his chest and draw random patterns on his skin.

"How did you know Damon?"

I feel his surprise at the question. "Know what baby?"

"My favorite breakfast. The first time you cooked for me you knew exactly what my favorite breakfast was. How?"

He sits up and I sit up next to him. He takes a moment to gather his thoughts and then he answers me. "It was just like I knew what kind of love you wanted. Passionate, consuming, dangerous, adventurous, it's what I wanted. I made you the pancakes and eggs and bacon with orange juice because it's also my favorite breakfast. It makes you feel like a little kid, innocent and happy and carefree. It's how you make me feel. Plus I knew you'd come downstairs in one of my brothers shirts and I loved checking you out while making that coffee."

Once again his words surprise me. I didn't know what answer I was expecting but it wasn't that. He was right though, I do love chocolate chips in my pancakes because it makes me feel like a little kid in IHOP. I pull myself closer to him and start to kiss him senseless. All of a sudden out of nowhere I'm struck with pain in my stomach and I double over in pain.

"Elena?!"

I barely hear Damon's scream. My ears are ringing and I'm seeing stars in front of my eyes. The pain...it hurts. I want it to stop. I try to grab him but he's struggling to lay me down on the bed.

"Don't leave me Damon!"

I shout the words at him. I don't mean to but it feels like I'm being pushed underwater. My head is hurting and my stomach hurts.

"I have to go get a phone baby. You're...oh shit! NO!"

I feel him jump off the bed and I see him run out of the room. I don't understand his scream of oh shit and no. I know the pain can't be a good thing but all we need is a doctor for maybe some medicine or something. Nothing bad is happening. Right? I bring myself to open my eyes and I look down. Red. The sheets aren't red...they're white. But right now they're red. I shake my head in denial. No no no. I wasn't supposed to be bleeding now. There was only a chance of that in the birth right. My mind snaps back to the paper...the babies! I grab my stomach and I double over as the pain comes again. "Ahh!" I didn't know I screamed until Damon ran back into the room with the phone next to his ear.

"You think I don't fucking know she's only 6 months along! She's fucking bleeding out! You get your ass here now Meredith with a fucking vampire! I won't lose her! I can't lose her!"

His words confuse me. Bleeding out? He knew there was a possibility of this happening. My mind is working in overdrive. He is going to have them deliver the babies now. It's too early. I open my mouth to try to tell him but nothing comes out. It's like my throat is closing up and I can't breath properly. I hear myself gasping and he drops his phone on the floor from his ear.

"Elena?! Baby! Stay with me! Please!"

I feel him pull me to him and I hear him begging me to not give up. More quickly than I thought possible I feel the pain stop. I don't feel anything. My ears aren't ringing and my head doesn't feel so heavy. I feel him pull back from me and my eyes meet his.

"I love you." I whisper the words I need him to hear. I struggle against the blackness that wants to take me over so I can hear his voice just one more time.

"I love you Elena. Please, stay with me baby. Meredith and Jeremy are on their way. Stay with me please baby."

I try to nod my head but I don't feel it move. I don't feel anything. I let the blackness take me under and I don't know if I will be able to fight it this time. Damon's face is the last thing I see before everything disappears completely.