Authors Note: It's officially 3 am making it Christmas so Merry Christmas to you all and I think it's only fitting this be my gift to you. Thank you for all the kind reviews and taking the time to read. In this chapter you'll see how Damon reacts to finding out the moment Elena knew. The gang will also share some confessions with him and maybe a Christmas miracle might happen…..
Sharing with you the moment that Elena knew she was in love with you
That statement being enough to freeze Damon in his tracks completely as he locks eyes with Alaric "I already know."
Disappointment clear in their face with the exception of Valerie considering she has no clue what's going on. This 'gift' had been something in hopes to comfort Damon and if he knew well that wouldn't be of much help. Caroline now taking one for the team as she speaks up "you do?"
Nodding his head "yeah."
Everyone else seems fooled but Alaric "so then when was it?" he curiously asks.
"It was before Stefan went missing when she told me she wasn't sorry for being in love with me" a short smile tugging at the corner of his lips "among other things."
"Well sorry buddy but that wasn't it. Yes that was her saying it aloud but that wasn't the moment when she realized she was in love with you."
Now Damon seemed confused as he eyed the bunch "then when was it?"
"Sit your ass down and I'll tell you"
Bonnie stepping in as she takes the box that Damon is holding and sets it gently on the table "what he means to say is you should sit down for this."
More than anything Damon wanted to high-tale it the hell out of there. Pull a girly cliché and eat ice cream from the container only instead of whipped cream being poured on it he'd look to bourbon I'm one step closer to singing a horrible ballad of All by myself. Deciding he had nothing to lose and maybe something to gain he humors them and takes a seat "alright, I'm all ears you officially have the floor."
Seeing as this was going to be quite the conversation Alaric ends up pulling a chair more towards the center of the room before taking a seat. For a moment he doesn't talk as he figures out a game plan on how he wants to go about doing this. "When Elena came to me about compelling you and her love for you away you need to know I didn't want to do it" eyeing Damon for a moment and continuing when he gives a curt nod "but she was stuck on going through with it and in order for it to work I had to rewire her brain….searching through her memories that led to how she felt about you."
Damon shifting uncomfortably in his chair already finding he wasn't a fan of this "o-kay."
"She didn't do this with a smile on her face you need to know that. She was sad because she didn't want to stop loving you but as you read in her entry she knew she wouldn't have a future if a ghost of her past still remained. I asked her who is Damon Salvatore" recalling that day perfectly because he had heard that mantra throughout the day. "She said how you were her boyfriend, she loved you and you died. As a follow up I asked how you two met and she said in high school."
Maybe if I had met you first
Oh the irony to it all because they had met first
"I know Bonnie"
The voice alone causing Damon to snap out of the victim act and find his dead heart reviving itself as he rises into a sitting position. Intently focusing on the voice that he already knew was unmistakable. Shifting his head towards the direction that the voice is coming from as he peers into the dark woods it can't be she's in the tomb…..it's impossible the logical part of him reasons but is brushed off because a hopeful part of him wants this to be real.
"I just can't bring myself to tell him at least not tonight. I'll call you later"
Tell who? Brows furrowing in confusion, now standing to his feet and flashing over to where the figure is making their way so that he can get a better look this has to be real.The voice, the voice that had haunted his every dreams matched perfectly but her attire as he finally spotted her didn't fit at all. 'Maybe she is in hiding'he reasons now standing before her wanting answers "Katherine" her name slipping past his lips sounding as if it's an unanswered prayer finally being answered.
Finally noticing her look up at him from her cell phone, confusion he notes clear on her expression as she turns around to see if he's speaking to someone else. Seeing that there is no one behind her "um no….I'm Elena."
"I asked her what you were like"
That statement causing Damon's brow to rise because honestly he was curious about what she had thought of him during their first encounter.
"She said that there was something different about you…dangerous but not in a way that scared her. She said that you were exciting."
Their encounter might as well just happen yesterday because he recalled it perfectly. Every word she said he could recite and he even could remember that lyrical laughter that rang in his ears and though he didn't admit it to himself then he could now admit it was enough to bring him back to life.
"I asked her how you made her feel" Alaric continues making sure to keep his gaze trained on Damon so that he can gauge his reaction because he knows this isn't easy for his best friend "and she said that you made her feel like anything was possible…I thought that was all that needed to be done." Shaking his head "I began to re-wire her memories saying that she had a nice moment on the road with a stranger but that's all you were."
Time standing still between them as they seem to remain in a stare down, looking or rather gazing at one another and he finds himself torn because of what he's feeling as he looks into her eyes, blue meeting brown.
Elena the one to break the silence, not accepting or denying it "so what do you want?"
The question simple, small talk and anyone else would simply answer but Damon wasn't just anyone causing her question to leave him absolutely speechless. Never had anyone cared enough to ask about his dreams, desires, wants, and passions but here was this girl someone he had barely known and yet she had been kind enough to ask him. Damon's lips drawn together in thought before they open and just as he's about to speak the sound of a horn sounds breaking them both out of their trance.
Irritated with whoever decided to interrupt this moment but also half grateful because he hadn't been open with his feeling in years. Always concealed by a mask and tonight it had almost shown and he couldn't afford that at least not now. Watching as Elena turns around "that's my parents" she explains turning back to meet his gaze.
Damon now standing practically face to face with her and the second that her doe eyes meet his he lets his pupils dilate drawing her into his usual compulsion only this time he wasn't compelling away his eating habits. "I want you to get everything that you're looking for" usually everything he told his victims were lies he had constructed but for the first time in a long time he was being honest. "Right now I want you to forget this happened" a small part of him not wanting that at all "can't have people knowing I'm in town yet" offering her a small smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. Locking this moment into memory and as odd as it seems even though she has Katherine's face he doesn't see Katherine, he only sees her. "Goodnight Elena."
Concealed in the shadows Damon watched as she entered the car, and just like that he watched as she left. Stepping out from the shadows he releases a soft sigh wondering if he had done the right thing. 'Of course you did I barely know the girl…..she's just a stranger; she's not Katherine'ignoring how he had been willing to open up to her. There had been a connection between them. Something even he couldn't deny but whatever had been between them was now gone because not only had she disappeared but so did this encounter.
'Two ships passing in the night'continuing to walk down the long and winding road figuring he'd pick up something to eat after visiting his mom.
"Who knew that those two strangers would turn out to be each other's soul mates?" Damon more so whispering it to himself "what happened after you said that?"
"She spoke about the Miss Mystic Falls pageant and how you had stepped in to take the place of your brother."
Chancing a glance he watches as Stefan casts his gaze to the floor figuring its more so out of guilt seeing as during that time Stefan had been well not his Saintly and dutiful self. Just the mention of the pageant causing a flash of memories to hit Damon.
"She said that you saved her from being embarrassed in front of everyone. Explained how you took her arm and led her out with all the rest of the girls and their dates and you danced."
Dressed in a monkey suit Damon Salvatore found himself debating on ditching this function and drowning himself in alcohol. Since he was a founding family member he had done his job of donating and making an appearance, but ever since finding out that Saintly Stefan had dropped the Saintly act and gone back to drinking human blood his mood had dropped. There was also the fact that he didn't feel the need to observe Stefan and Elena dancing since he still had Katherine and Stefan dancing fresh in his brain from 1864. 'Alright I made the rounds time to go get me some rounds' and just as he's about to make his getaway he hears Elena's name being announced. Though his mission is to leave he decides to just stick around a moment more so that he can see her all dolled up.
'Elena Gilbert escorted by Mister Stefan Salvatore'
Mayor Lockwood's voice announces as Damon sees her standing above on the stairway, flicking his attention towards the end of the stairs expecting to see his white knight of a brother there, but instead he's nowhere to be seen. 'Alright brother time to make your grand entrance searching him out trying to spot him through the crowd'. Watching as Elena descends down the stairs and even though he can see she's keeping it together when she doesn't spot her boyfriend he can tell inside she's panicking. A hint of annoyance running through him that of all days Stefan had chosen this one to bail out. Damon's gaze flicking over towards the stand-in, obviously this guy knew the moves, but he didn't know Elena, and if someone was finally going to have the excuse to have her in their arms it sure as hell wasn't going to be a stranger. As if on autopilot he pushes through the crowd, making his way over towards the end of the stair case and awaiting her.
The second that he's at the stairs he watches as she gracefully draws closer to him. Immediately his eyes take her in deeming her to be an angel. A breath taking angel, because vampire or not as he stands here awaiting this true vision making her way closer he finds that his very breath is being stolen from him. There's a rush of something he's feeling and it terrifies him to the point that he's tempted to leave, but then he also feels excitement that he'll be able to share this dance with her and its reason enough for him to stay.
"She took my breath away" a slight chuckle escaping Damon able to vividly recall her coming down the stairs with such grace.
"She experienced the same thing on her end as well" Alaric's gaze sweeping over towards Stefan feeling kind of off considering during this timeframe Elena and Stefan had been together "she said the day of the dance was the first time she felt how good looking you were."
"Sexy" Caroline corrects earning a glare from Alaric as she raises her hands in surrender "don't blame me I'm just making sure you tell the story right."
"Fine" rolling his eyes "she realized how sexy you were…she knew you were attractive looking but she didn't want to allow herself to actually see you in that way."
Hearing Alaric use the word sexy causing a chuckle to escape Damon finding that he's once again allowing himself to relive that day and remembering how he had a revelation of his own.
The minute that they had lifted their hands and began their dance something had changed, and Damon had felt it instantly. The time that he had been trying so hard to convince himself that it was a simple attraction no longer there, because something was there, and he couldn't stop it even if he wanted to. With such an intense dance their gazes with each other had to be held, stormy blue remaining trained on a warm shade of brown. Their eyes blazing into each other, each reflecting fire and in those moments of dancing the annoyance he had been holding for his brother for bailing suddenly turning into Damon being grateful because he had been given this moment with Elena. An unspeakable bond surging through them and it scares the hell out of Damon as they circle around each other just how desperate he finds himself wanting, needing her in his arms.
Like an answered prayer suddenly she's there, her chest meeting his and he marvels at the way their bodies mold together. He's holding her in his arms, and it's frightening and yet exhilarating, and in that moment he finds himself wishing that this dance wouldn't end, that it would play on forever, because he wants to share every dance with her.
"I told her that she went down the stairs and no one was there"
That comment causing Damon to scoff in annoyance "remind me never to let you tale a bedtime story because you lack originality considering you could have at least said some backup escort was waiting so she wouldn't need to feel humiliated over it."
"Hey dick I was making it up as I go cut me some slack" Alaric argues back.
"Alright, alright" waving him off "continue."
"That moment hadn't been enough though because when I asked her who is Damon Salvatore she sang the same tune."
"Okay then what?"
"She brought up the sire bond thinking that was the signature moment because while everyone else insisted her feelings for you weren't real she believed otherwise."
Even now the mention of sire bond causing him to flinch because he had let that paranoia get the best of him and because of it a domino effect had happened.
Carefully Alaric words the next statement "I told her that her feelings were because of the sire bond" seeing Damon tense in his seat "it still didn't work though….I told her that she had to dig deeper which caused her to bring up the night of the motel."
Denver, it had been a curse and a blessing the blessing being that something had shifted between them that night in the grungy motel room. Where he had lay beside and his fingers had casually interlaced with her own. Remembering the surprise he felt when his attuned hearing had picked up on the sound of her racing pulse and a second later she had fled the room before he had the chance to ask questions. Of course Damon had questioned her but instead of answering him something had carried her straight towards him shocking the hell out of him when her lips had met his.
"She said how she wasn't back together with Stefan yet and she explained how when" deciding to not add a certain part into the conversation, clearing his throat "how all she wanted to do was kiss you."
"So then was that it?"
"It took a lot of tries but it got to the point where she began to get frustrated one past memory after the other. I tried to draw it out of her but something was holding her back from truly opening up. She even went as far as wanting to forget the idea and before I had the chance to say anything else she walked out."
Alright now he was confused because he had been sure the moment she had realized she had been in love with him was the night of graduation when she had given him her 'I'm not sorry that I'm in love with you speech' and if it wasn't that then he assumed maybe when they slept together? Why would she not want to open up about that confusion present on his features "why the hell was she so stubborn about opening up?"
"Because she didn't want to admit that she had fallen in love with you when she was still with me."
Was it possible for a vampire to get whiplash because right now he swore he was experiencing it as his head whipped around and his gaze now trained in his brother's direction "what?"
"For as long as I can remember Elena's biggest fear was becoming Katherine" Stefan begins.
"She was never Katherine" Damon is quick to defend.
"I know that….we know that" he adds in "but she didn't. Elena didn't want to end up loving both of us. She didn't want to hurt me" hesitantly Stefan moves from his spot and takes a seat on the coffee table in front of his brother. "I put her thorough hell and still through it all she remained at my side. Elena did love us both but unlike Katherine it was genuine and real and because of that it scared her so much and caused her to hide what she felt….for you" he says softly.
Damon knew that well Elena was loyal and faithful to Stefan refusing to hurt him but during those lingering stares, stolen kisses and special moments between them she had hurt him. They had shared so many physical and metaphorical tangos with each other and each time he felt a sense of hope she crushed him always Stefan. "So" nervously he licks his lips his gaze on his younger brother before turning back to Alaric "when did she know?"
"The night of her eighteenth birthday."
Disbelief immediately showcasing on Damon's darkened yet surprised features because there was no way in hell after Stefan being ripped away from her that she had fallen in love with him "wh….what" he practically croaks out, swallowing hard.
"Elena didn't want to go through with the party Caroline planned" hearing a huff from the side Ric tosses his gaze at her "sorry" turning his attention back to Damon "she was absolutely miserable and not in the partying mood. She wanted to put on a brave face because Caroline had gone through so much but as she stood in Stefan's room she ended up realizing she wanted to be selfish and not go down but then you came into the room."
Remaining eerily silent as he listens to the story and even with years passed he still recalls that night vividly, remembering how he had wanted to practically throw Blondie and the rest of the idiots out of his house, because he knew Elena hadn't wanted it.
This isn't what she wanted, because it was too much, and these people? Did she even give a rat's ass about them? Damon's guess would be no, because they were your regular run of the mill high school idiots who had no idea who Elena really was and what she had to go through day in and day out. If it had been up to Damon he would have had an intimate gathering with her loved ones. Either he would have made food or ordered pizza, broken out the alcohol and let them do whatever figuring now was a good time for this because she needed it. Instead though Blondie Forbes had taken over suggesting that this huge ass birthday bash have anyone and everyone in town, because this is what Elena wanted, but Damon knew better. As much as he wanted to refuse Caroline he eventually couldn't fight her nagging anymore and gave in which also included his house for the night since it was the perfect place to host a party.
Now here he stood leaning in the doorway of his brother's bedroom, and yes it had been the first place he allowed his feet to carry him, because he knew she would be here 'always Stefan' he reminds himself. That familiar ache rising in his chest knowing that since Elena had yet to grace the party she was up here longing for her beloved who unfortunately wasn't him. During the summer ever since Stefan had been Team Klaus joining the Big Bad Wolf, Elena and him had grown closer, they had become each other's support and each other's rocks, and because of it Damon had fallen even deeper in love with her which he didn't think was possible. 'Enough with the pity party tonight isn't about you it's about her' he thinks. Damon's gaze trained on the angel standing a few feet away from him, and with the white lace dress it added more to the angelic appeal. With his reflection now in the mirror he silently announced himself as Elena met his gaze in the mirror.
"Don't worry I'm not going to lose it, at least not before the cake."
Here it was her birthday, her party and she was holding it together because she didn't want to let Caroline down 'she's amazing' snapping himself from his love sick daze offering a shrug of his shoulders "it's your party you can cry it you want to."
"You walked into the room to give her your birthday gift. It was the necklace that Stefan had given her and she knew that you knew the importance of that necklace…what it meant for her feelings for Stefan" he carefully says. "She was well aware how you felt about her but you had been willing to put aside your own feelings and focus on her by giving her the one thing that held hope for her and your brother. She knew how much it hurt you."
Damon recalled the look of hope that had been restored he saw it instantly reflecting in her warm brown eyes as she had caught his gaze for a moment before looking at the necklace in disbelief.
"I thought I'd never see it again" watching as she reaches into the box and gently takes it out so she can hold it. Damon continuing to watch the look of content fill her and he figures she's most likely thinking back to the time Stefan had first given it to her. "Alaric found it in his loft and figured you'd be happy to get it back" he says nonchalantly, and yes it had been found in Alaric's loft, but Alaric hadn't been the one to find it, hell like he'd be able to find anything. It had been Damon who had searched high and low, and he hadn't gotten lucky with Alaric's apartment right of the bat. Countless other places had been searched and Alaric's loft had been the last place and after an annoying game of hide and seek he had finally found it.
"In her eyes it was the most selfless thing you had ever done and in that moment she loved you."
Maybe vampires didn't need to breathe but he found himself holding his breath as he listened to the story.
"She didn't want to love you because it terrified her but for that moment she loved you."
A hush surrounding the room as everyone watches his reaction to this new revelation. "He-her birthday" he whispers, doubt laced in his tone because he's still having difficultly wrapping his head around all of this. Elena had been utterly destroyed over Stefan's absence hell her crying on his shoulder time and time again had been proof of it but each time he had been there. Had it killed him to see the woman he loves longing for his brother? Hell yeah but he had endured it all "I would have done anything for her…..if she had wanted to the moon I would have found a way to retrieve it for her because all I wanted was for her to be happy" swallowing "and that happiness was found in the necklace." Blinking back the tears threatening to fall as he realizes he had been good enough for her, his gaze flicking back between everyone and ending at his brother knowing it must have been hard for him to sit through this "wh-why are you telling me this?"
"Because you don't have the option of making new memories with Elena brother" placing his hand reassuringly on Damon's shoulder "but maybe now this will give you a whole new perspective on the old ones."
"The night of the Michelson Ball"
It's Bonnie's voice that catches his attention as he turns to his side meeting her gaze. Back when they were in the prison world since they really didn't have much to do talking always seemed fitting and of course during those talks Elena was always mentioned by Damon.
"Your love wasn't the problem Damon" offering him a comforting smile "Elena was the problem at least feeling wise because she still wouldn't allow herself to openly admit what she felt for you."
"She told me once that you snuck up on her and when she was around you it consumed her" Matt quietly adds in.
"That steamy kiss in Denver that you shared" Caroline's turn to speak up already finding herself gushing about it because yeah at the time she really hadn't been a fan of Damon but girl talk was always a must. "You were asked to join her on the road because she wanted to sort out her feelings for you. That kiss wasn't just lust taking over her but the longing she had held for you."
"The sire bond" Stefan begins but gets cut off by Damon.
"You don't need to do this brother you sat through enough."
"No" he firmly states "I do because for the longest time I let my insecurities and selfishness get the best of me. You always put Elena first, you became each other's rocks and I saw how she brought out your humanity so I wasn't surprised when it came to you loving her. I didn't like it" he admits "but I put it past me because for the longest time I believed it was only love on your end but then when she broke up with me and the reason was you I allowed past bitterness to get the best of me. I wasn't blind. I'd catch the way you two would look at each other, see her eyes light up at your very presence and even when you fought there was passion laced behind it." Running a hand through his hair "I didn't want to accept what I knew all along because it hurt too much so instead I took the coward's way out and let myself believe that her feelings were all because of the sire bond."
"Stefan" not sure what to say to that but feeling that his brother has said his peace.
"No Damon" this time his voice booming in the room because he's been holding this in for far too long and it's time he let it out. "I'm sorry" he finally says feeling a heavy burden lifted from him and now finding that it's easier to speak. "I'm sorry that I couldn't see how happy you were and instead of accepting it I did everything in my power to end it. I'm sorry that you once again had to feel like you weren't good enough to be loved because you were and Elena is proof of that. Tonight you said that you learned something and so did it. Elena might have been with me first but" offering his brother a soft smile "it's always been you Damon and I wasn't okay with that then but I am now and I'm sorry for not seeing it sooner."
It amazes Damon because everything that his brother is now saying seems to heal past wounds. The mention of 'good enough' and 'always you' enough to cause Damon's eyes to fall to the floor because he can feel he's about to break but he holds it back. Flicking his gaze up so that blue meets green, rising from his spot glad that Stefan takes the hint before throwing his arms around his Stefan "thank you little brother."
The action surprising Stefan causing him to be non responsive for a few seconds before he finally processes that his older brother is hugging him. Wrapping his arms around him as he returns the hug "Merry Christmas Damon."
Already he finds himself feeling sentimental and knows at any second he's going to pull a Stefan and cry Stefan causing him to give his brother one last pat on the back before he draws back. Flicking his gaze around the room "thank you for tonight…for caring enough in making this first Christmas without her less miserable" feeling choked up as his gaze flicks to the tree before focusing back on everyone "this is a lot to process and I appreciate what you all did but I'd like to go home now."
"We understand buddy."
Giving Alaric an appreciative smile "thank you" shifting his gaze around the room "all of you."
"Damon"
A voice he's not familiar with catching his attention surprised to see that Valerie has finally spoken up other than her curt hello she had given him upon entering the room "yes?"
"I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Elena but she sounds like someone I would have considered an honor to meet and tonight is just proof that you two share a one of a kind love and that type of love will make it through anything."
When it came to the heretics Damon wasn't really a fan but Valerie of course had helped with the 'mama' issue and now hearing her actually been sincere towards him caused him to deem her as of now his most tolerable heretic. "We always survive" he says with a bitter sweet smile. Feeling satisfied he reaches for the box that still contained gifts he had yet to open, grabbing his jacket and tossing it over his shoulder. Though he was touched by tonight he couldn't bring himself to go around the room and give hugs so instead he settled for a simple smile "thank you again for making tonight a little easier now enjoy your party the way it deserves to be enjoyed" and without a word he disappears out of the living room heading towards the entry way of the house.
"Damon"
Hearing his name but ignoring it continuing to walk because he's pretty sure he doesn't have the strength to hear one more memory.
"Damon"
Bonnie's voice calling him as he hears her jogging up behind him.
"You have vampire hearing you can hear me"
With a soft sigh entering the foyer he spins around to face her "guilty as charged….what is it?"
"You almost forgot your Christmas present" revealing a mini vintage glass alcohol bottle in her hand.
Damon's gaze dropping to the item in her hand obviously knowing that it's alcohol but the small bottle that could be a shot making him confused "is this your way of telling me I need to cut back on my drinking?"
"No" shaking her head "this is me telling you to shut up" placing the bottle carefully into the box "take it….drink it when you get home" wrapping her arms around him pulling him into a hug "Merry Christmas Damon."
Awkwardly returning the hug considering the box makes it difficult. The wishing of having a Christmas already making him feel down seeing as merry meant happy and he was far from it. Putting on a brave face he pulls back with a smile "I doubt mine will be merry but thank you."
Pulling open the front door for him "have a little hope it is Christmas after all and miracles do happen."
Not for me deciding not to answer that "goodnight Bonnie" and without another word he's exiting the house, heading towards his car to unlock it and loading the box carefully inside. Glancing to the house he sees Bonnie still watching him, lifting his hand and waving to her before slipping inside of his car and heading off.
Waving from the doorstep until Bonnie sees that he's disappeared from sight "tell her I miss her" she whispers, staring up into the sky for a few seconds before the cold night air gets to her causing her to retreat inside and join the rest of the gang.
Over an hour and a half had passed since he had gotten home and he found himself seated on his favorite reading chair by the fireplace. Usually his gaze would be focused on the flames in the fire pit but instead they were focused on the box in front of him. There were still a couple of unopened items, Elena's items in the box and as curious as he was he still had yet to find the strength to open it.
Impatiently he drums his fingers along the coffee table "oh this is ridiculous" he huffs out as he reaches inside the box and pulls an item out noting how light it feels. Carefully he begins to tear the paper his eyes widening at the single flower that is now revealed and though it's worse for wear and well not as vibrant as it use to be he recognizes it instantly as one of the flowers that had been in the bouquet he had gotten her for their first date.
Was it possible for vampire's to get butterflies in their stomach, because that's what he was feeling right now 'well look at that my time machine worked and I'm back to being a boy who has yet to go through puberty….you'd think I haven't done this before'rolling his eyes'well technically I haven't'.Scolding the voice in his head to shut up, because it wasn't like him and Elena hadn't been together, because they were very together, but that mostly consisted of behind closed doors. Tonight they would be sitting in a restaurant and would be using their mouths on other matters for a change. What if he screwed up? What if being a boyfriend wasn't something he was skilled at? Stefan knew how to do the dating thing, but what if 'shut up…shut up….shut up.'
Damon had been standing in front of the closed door for five minutes now. Usually his door remained wide open, but seeing as Elena was living here he didn't have the option of picking her up like a gentleman was expected to do, which is why this was the next best thing.
Damon raises his fist to the oak door, knuckles rapping against it as he waits for Elena to grace his presence.
Less than a second later his bedroom door swings open revealing Elena, immediately a soft smile showcases on her lips as she looks Damon over "hi."
The moment that the door swings open Damon feels his breath being stolen from him which is ironic considering circumstances. His gaze taking in her appearance noticing this floral printed mini dress isn't something he's seen her wearing before, and already he finds himself to be a fan. In her hand she holds a black sweater jacket, him figuring it's her way of keeping up appearances just in case it's cold in the restaurant. "Wow" he finally says "you look breath taking….and that coming from a vampire is the highest of compliments."
"You too" she's quick to state before a nervous laugh escapes her "I mean you look handsome" and he does wearing a black v-neck sweater and dark jeans.
"Well thank you" flashing her a smile before revealing what he's holding behind his back " and since it is customary….these are for you" in his hands he holds a bouquet that features lavender roses, purple carnations, purple alstormeria, lavender matsumuto asters, green button spray chrysanthemums, lavender snapdragons, bells of Ireland , huckleberry, and one single red tulip.
"Oh Damon" gawking at the beautiful bouquet he's presented to her "they're beautiful."
"They pale in comparison against you" it's not a line or a cheesy statement because you can hear the sincerity dripping in his tone. Clearing his throat "the lavender symbolizes devotion" he explains to her.
"What about" her thumb skimming along the petals of the tulip "what does this one mean?"
"It's a declaration of love."
A smile beaming on his lips as he remembers their first date "a declaration of love" his thumb ever so lightly ghosting along the petals of the tulip. "You told me that usually kisses come after the date but" a chuckle escaping him "you said we had never done normal and then you kissed me" talking to her as if she's sitting right beside him "and the second your lips touched mine all nervousness vanished."
Carefully he sets the flower down onto the coffee table reaching back into the box and pulling once again something light and rectangular shaped. Hesitating for a moment before slowly peeling the wrapping off a bold print of "Pierrot le Fou" catching his attention immediately now knowing what it is.
"In the menu under egg plant Parmesan they should have in the description as tasty as if you were snacking on yourself ….I mean that was better than blood" he explains with one arm draped casually over her.
"Damon" she scolds swatting his chest "there are people here."
Rolling his eyes "oh please like they could hear us they are too busy prepping for the notes they are about to be taking." Gaze sweeping across the room as he notices some people with notebooks and sketchbooks in hands, most likely an assignment of some sort.
"Speaking of" Elena whispers in his ear as her head rests on his shoulder "why are we even here….I don't know French, what is this movie even about?"
Shrugging his shoulders "who knows it's a French film with subtitles sounds thrilling" now tucking his arm around her waist.
Reaching into the bag of popcorn that he had bought for them, popping a piece into her mouth "need I remind you that you're the one who chose this film, and place" her gaze glancing at the now dim theater signaling that the movie is about to start.
"I know" reaching into the bag and tossing a couple into his mouth "who says we're even going to watch the movie?"
"Did you really bring me in here to live out your fantasy of making out in a theater come true" she teases, taking her hand and patting his cheek "nice try."
"Huh Elena" mocking a gasp "I am shocked, this is our first date, keep your hands off me" flashing a smirk "I'll show you in a second….soon as the movie starts."
Placing the movie stub next to the flower he releases a defeated sigh because each new gift that he unwraps from their past is like ripping the band aid off only it's not a simple sting because it hurts like hell.
"Ugh" he groans "if I'm going to continue to do this I'm going to need alcohol" he muses. Rising from his spot and just as he's about to walk over towards the drink cart to fix himself a drink he remembers Bonnie's gift. Walking over towards the box he reaches inside grabbing the glass bottle and eyeing it. Carefully he unscrews the cap, lifting it to his nose and inhaling but not recognizing the scent. "Not like it's going to kill me" he mutters to himself as he tips his head back, and lowers the bottle to his mouth as the amber liquid flows straight down his throat.
Though he downs the bottle completely he finds himself falling into a slight coughing fit because it's like nothing he's ever tasted. There's a sweetness to it he certainly picks up on that but whatever is mixed in it doesn't flow nicely. Why the hell would Bonnie give me this eyeing the bottle skeptically before shrugging his shoulders and placing it back on the coffee table. Glancing over towards the Grandfather clock he sees that it's officially ten more minutes until Christmas and already he knows everyone else in the world is counting the minutes while he finds himself wishing he could add more. So far, so good, Damon had been able to get through Christmas Eve but once that clock struck midnight it would be Christmas and rather than embracing the one he loves he'll find himself only holding onto the memories.
Sadness spreading across his expression to match the sadness he feels in his heart and it seems the weight of being alone on this night is enough to make him sink back down onto the couch. Damon's gaze flicking around the room not spotting anything that would remind him that it's Christmas and suddenly he finds himself thinking how the house would be decorated if Elena was here.
Of course they would have a tree in the parlor room because it only seemed fitting and the tree wouldn't be some puny little thing oh no, no it would be the greatest of them all. Twenty feet glancing up at the ceiling and knowing it would do just fine because of the space and knowing Elena would have one hell of a time decorating the tree from bottom to top. Probably would have to use a step ladder he amusingly thinks to himself. Flicking his gaze over towards the fire place and knowing that they would have stocking's with their names on it hanging from the mantle. Since Damon wasn't one to get into the Christmas spirit he would have gone above and beyond for Elena knowing the importance of this holiday for her. Lights would be strewn from the ceiling and he was sure little knick knacks of Santa and his Elves would be scattered about oh and mistletoe of course.
Ding
Ding
Ding
Ding
The Grandfather clock bellowing through the room announcing what Damon dreads "Merry Christmas Baby" rubbing his eyes because suddenly he feels a wave of exhaustion hit him. The plan for tonight had been to drink, drink, drink and drink until he forgot his own name and hopefully slept through this day but it seemed that sleep was coming now and he decided not to fight it. Sinking more onto the couch and making himself comfortable "I wish you were here" he wishes and just like that he finds himself falling deep into a slumber he cannot fight as darkness takes over.
Blue eyes slowly fluttering open well that sleep didn't last long his brows furrowing in confusion when he notices that he's no longer in the living room but instead "wait what" bringing himself into a sitting position as he realizes that he's in his own room. Not only is he in his own room but his bed is here along with his sheets. The smell of heretic's that caused him to flinch no longer being found.
Damon's confusion only continuing when he hears clatter from downstairs is this Stefan's gift for me…..if that's the case then I'll definitely have to be in on this off with Julian's head mission. Glancing around the room and seeing that everything is back in its place like the way it use to be. Though Damon had want to shut himself away from today he feels that with his brother's kind gesture he deserves a thank you who knows maybe we can do the whole brotherly bonding thing. Getting off the bed he opens his door stepping outside of it and walking down the corridor before heading down the spiral staircase.
Confusion once again etched on his features when he spots garland lights around the banister of the stairs. When the hell did Stefan get this reaching the last stair his attention is drawn to the wreath hanging in the hallway is this his way of trying to get me into the Christmas spirit he wonders not knowing if he should feel happy or sad because of this.
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
That damn song plaguing him once again as he increases his pace, following the sound of the music realizing its leading him straight in the direction of the Parlor Room.
If only in my dreams
"Ste"
Stopping dead in his tracks and if he takes a second to look around the room he'd notice that it's decorated the way he had planned it to be but he doesn't focus on the lights or the tree because his attention is devoted elsewhere.
Blue meeting a warm shade of brown and he swears he's lost the ability to talk let alone comprehend what's going on and from the way she's sharing the same reaction they both seem to be trying to understand what is happening.
His mouth opens to say something; anything but he can't find words because he's too lost on the angel standing right in front of him. Tears immediately starting to well in his eyes and soon enough he sees that she follows, swallowing hard as he tries to speak again.
"Da-Damon?"
Hell her saying his name alone, his name slipping past her lips it's enough to cause tears to fall from his cheek because if there is a time to be weak it's now. One word or rather his name and he finds himself deeming it to be the most beautiful sound he's heard in a very long time. There is so much that he wants to say to her but they never come out instead one word, one name slips past his lips and the way it's delivered comes off sounding like an unanswered prayer finally being answered or maybe some would say a Christmas miracle.
"Elena"
End Part 3