A/N: I had an absolute ball writing this; it was far more fun than I thought it would be. Of course it made me a tad nostalgic as I remembered all the details of my own wedding day.

I often listen to music whilst I write, but for this chapter my choice of music was a little bit different. I chose Pachelbel's Canon in D major and decided to make it the processional music in the chapter. Friends of mine used the music in their ceremony and I just adored it. Of course I cried at their wedding, but truth be told I do cry at most weddings.

Chapter 4

Elena's alarm went off bright and early the next morning. She'd been awake for some time already, just laying there looking at the ceiling. She turned off the alarm and pulled the comforter over her head, wishing she could hide under there forever, wishing she could sleep. She felt so tired, but she had to get up.

Last night had been one more sleepless night in a long month where lack of sleep had become the norm. When she'd finally put her head on the pillow, she saw her bathroom scene with Damon on repeat. She'd had no intention of sleeping with him before her deadline. But when he'd touched her; when he'd kissed her, she'd fallen apart in his arms. If Stefan hadn't knocked on that door, she wouldn't have thought twice about letting him have her there and then. She'd never had sex in a public place before. Never.

That incident had only proved to her how dangerous marrying Damon would be. She couldn't keep her balance around him, she couldn't maintain control of herself and she couldn't say no. She laughed bitterly, remembering how she'd told Damon he didn't like to be out of control. That had been a projection. She didn't want to be out of control, and that was exactly how he made her feel.

She felt so much desire for the man that it scared her. She'd been waiting a month for him to kiss her and when he had, it had far surpassed any fantasy she'd had about the moment. Once they started sleeping together, she had no hope of keeping her emotions out of it. She understood that. She'd never been very good at keeping sex and emotions separate.

He'd given her such logical reasons for them to get married, but she still believed that love should be the number one reason for marriage. She knew that she could fall in love with Damon; but she didn't want to, not when she would be falling alone. Relationships weren't meant to be like that. How could he possibly expect things to work? Stefan's words floated through her head for the hundredth time since he'd said them, 'it'll never work.'

The only things she had to hold onto were anger and resentment. They would stop her falling in love. She hoped. If she felt more for Damon than he felt for her, then that meant he had all the control. After he'd essentially forced her hand and made her marry him; and considering his money gave him the power to do almost anything he wanted, was it so wrong that she wanted to maintain some shred of control in this relationship?

There was a knock on the door, before her mother walked into the room.

"Elena, you need to get up. The big day is here." Her mother's smile and enthusiasm were a stark contrast to her own feelings of dread about the day ahead.

"Just give me a minute," she told her mother, "I'm just saying goodbye to my bed since I'll never sleep in it again. It deserves a moment."

"It is a nice bed, Elena but I'm sure Damon's bed will be nicer," her mother said with smile and a wink.

"Mom!" she exclaimed.

Her mother giggled like a schoolgirl. "If I was a bit younger and single…"

"Okay, stop, stop," said Elena putting up her hand, not wanting to hear the rest. "I'm getting up."

"I've made you a hot breakfast. You can't have an empty stomach on your big day. We don't want you fainting."

Food was the last thing she wanted, but she didn't really want to faint today, not in front of all the cameras that would be there.

"I'm getting in the shower. I'll be down soon."

As she got out of bed she noticed that the sun was shining. She didn't think today was worthy of sunshine. It felt like it should be more of a lightning, thunder and torrential rain kind of day.

She showered, dressed and made her way downstairs where her family were waiting for her. Their happy faces, smiles and jokes lightened her mood the slightest fraction and she relaxed for almost one full minute, before her stomach clenched and she remembered the wedding. She looked at her mom, dad, and Jeremy. This was all for them, she reminded herself; all for them.

They arrived at the chapel with plenty of time to spare. Her dress and belongings had driven to the church yesterday, as well as all the bits and pieces needed to turn her into a princess for a day. The reception was being held down the block, at a venue reserved just for wedding receptions.

Bonnie was waiting for her by the church entrance.

"Hey Girl, ready for your big day?" Bonnie greeted, giving her a tight hug, before she pulled away to look at her. "Did you get any sleep last night? Never mind. Make-up is a wonderful thing."

Elena was only having one bridesmaid. She may not be getting married at City Hall, but she had opted to keep the wedding as simple as possible. Damon's best man, Mason Lockwood, had flown in from Florida a few days ago. The two had played college football together and Damon had told Elena that Mason was the only guy for the job of best man.

As Elena got ready, she was aware of her breakfast churning in her stomach. She hoped it would stay down during the ceremony. The closer they got to the ceremony starting time, the more on edge she felt. She snapped at Bonnie twice and her mom once. She felt terrible, but they just laughed and made a joke out of it.

"Oh Sweetie, you look so beautiful," her mother told her, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Your father and I are so proud of you, Elena."

Elena stood in front of the mirror and ran her hands over the dress. She was wearing a Vera Wang white strapless wedding gown. The bodice was fitted, and accentuated her bust, whilst the skirt flared out. It was simple but elegant. Her hair was pinned so that half of it sat curled on top of her head whilst the rest was left down. Her bouquet was a simple combination of white roses and lilies.

"Yeah, Elena, Damon is going to flip-out when he sees you," Bonnie said, as she pinned the veil in Elena's hair.

Elena didn't know whether it was the veil being placed on her head, or the mention of his name which triggered the attack, but all of a sudden she was having a lot of trouble breathing. She started breathing so fast she simply couldn't take in enough oxygen.

"Can't breathe," she tried to tell them, clutching her chest.

She couldn't do this, she thought. She couldn't go through with it. It was wrong. This was meant to be the happiest day of her life, but instead it felt like the end of her life. She'd find a way to repay Damon every cent. She couldn't marry a man who didn't love here. She couldn't.

Damon didn't like this one bit. She was late; later than she'd promised him she'd be. He pulled at his tie, finding the darn thing too tight. Elena had told him she was going to marry him. She was now technically twenty minutes late, and he was starting to sweat. He didn't do sweating; he didn't do clammy hands, he didn't do nerves, but as every second ticked away, he found himself checking his watch continuously and fearing the worst.

"Relax," Mason told him, when he saw Damon checking his watch for the third time in a minute. "No-one's going to leave Damon Salvatore at the altar. Heck, if I was a woman I'd marry you."

He hated it. He hated how nervous he was, he hated that he wanted this so much, and he hated that she was making him feel this way. After what seemed like an eternity, Jeremy walked over to him and handed him his phone.

"It's Bonnie," he told Damon. "She says Elena is having some kind of panic attack."

Damon took the phone and walked away, aware that all eyes were on him. He could feel them all burning a hole in his back.

"Bonnie," he said into the phone.

"Damon, she's totally freaking out here. I've got her breathing into a paper bag but…"

"Put her on, Bonnie," he said roughly.

"But…"

"I said put her on," he barked. Then he added "Please," a bit more softly as an afterthought.

He heard a shuffle on the other end of the line and then he heard Bonnie say something to Elena.

"Damon…I can't do this," Elena whispered into the phone. "I can't marry you. I'm sorry."

He was in a chapel; he wouldn't swear, but he wanted to. He wanted to kick something, he wanted to scream. He felt his stomach roil. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this bad. Actually, yes he could. When he'd found out Katherine had betrayed him.

He'd thought marrying Elena for convenience would mean he never had to feel that way again; that marriage to her would be simple and uncomplicated. He'd hoped they would have a nice easy friendship with the added benefit of mutual attraction. He hadn't counted on the fear that was literally choking him as he thought he might lose her, that he might never really have her. It was that paralyzing fear that dictated what he said next.

"Elena, I swear here before God himself that if you don't get your ass out that door and marry me, I'm coming up there and carrying you down here myself. You made me a deal, and now you'd better pay up or so help me women I will destroy you and your family too. I'll take away everything. Don't believe I won't."

He regretted the words the moment they were out. He heard her gasp. He was being completely unreasonable. He knew those words would do more damage than good in the long run, but the fear – the fear had control over him and he was helpless to stop the words from coming.

"Marry me now, or suffer the consequences," he told her, before he hung up. She would come. She had to come.

He walked over to Jeremy and handed him the phone.

"Everything all right?" Jeremy asked him.

"Everything is fine. Just some last minute nerves. It's sorted."

He liked Elena's family a lot; liked them more than his own family if he were honest. They were genuine people – the ideal family in law. He wouldn't have hurt them; but Elena now believed he would. She was going to think he was some kind of monster. He'd messed this up so badly. It was too late to go back though. She would marry him now because he'd blackmailed her.

He took his spot back next to Mason, and waited. Five minutes later, he heard Pachelbel's Canon begin to play. He felt his heart beat heavy and awkwardly in his ribs; felt his palms begin to sweat again. Was this normal? Why would people ever do this wedding thing more than once? He resisted the urge to strain and try to get a peek at his bride.

Bonnie walked down the aisle first. Damon spared her a quick glance, appreciating the bronze colored dress for a moment, before his eyes returned to the arch. People stood up. This was it. She was coming.

For the first time in he couldn't remember how long, he prayed. He prayed that his marriage work; that Elena would be happy with him and that they live a long and happy life together. If God did in fact exist, would he listen to him? Probably not. Damon knew he didn't deserve much after what he'd just done, but he hoped all the same.

As Elena walked down the aisle, linked arm in arm with her father, she concentrated on glowering at the man she was about to marry. He'd threatened to destroy her family if she backed out. Her rage at him was the only thing giving her the strength to walk down the aisle right now. He was a bully. The most handsome bully she'd ever seen, but a bully nonetheless. In his tux he looked far more sinful and erotic than anyone should in a church.

Once she was closer, her eyes locked onto his. Her breath got stuck in her chest and her heart felt like it stopped beating for a moment. She thought she might stumble, but the strength of her father kept her upright and focused. Damon was looking at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world. If he hadn't just blackmailed her into marrying him, she might have been completely charmed, but he had blackmailed her and all sentimental thoughts could leave right now thank you very much.

The ceremony whizzed by quickly; her hands held in Damon's tight grasp so that she couldn't bolt, his eyes never leaving hers – locking her in place.

Traditional wedding vows were the order of the day since Elena had thought writing their own vows would be silly considering the circumstances.

"I, Damon Salvatore, take you Elena Gilbert, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

His tone was so serious and the words were so final. She had no doubt in her heart that he meant until death do us part. When it was her turn, her voice squeaked a bit but she got through it.

"I, Elena Gilbert, take you Damon Salvatore, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

As Damon slid a wedding ring on her finger, Elena acknowledged she was now bound to him. The wedding ring, a classic symbol of eternity, would remind her of these vows for the rest of her life.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Her heart thumped away uncontrollably as he lifted the veil. He wrapped his arms around her and bent down to kiss her. His lips were hot on hers, scorching, branding. She was vaguely aware that the crowd was cheering them on. He kept it short and sweet and Elena called her body all kinds of traitorous for wanting the kiss to last longer than it did.

The rest of the night was something of a blur. She didn't want anything to eat, and she was well aware of Damon's frustration with her as she picked at her food beside him, but she didn't care. She would bide her time and as soon as they were alone together she intended to give him a piece of her mind. Not that it would do any good. He'd threatened to hurt the people she cared about and she'd married him, but if he thought she was going to fade into the background like some fifties housewife he had another thing coming.

The one saving grace for the day was that Stefan hadn't shown in face. She wondered briefly if Damon had said something to him after the rehearsal dinner last night or whether he had just decided to stay away. She was glad not to see him either way.

Cameras continually flashed throughout the night and she wondered how the photos would turn out. Her mouth and cheeks ached from forcing so many smiles.

When it came time for the dance, she couldn't even remember which song she had picked for them to dance to. At the time she just had just jumped on line and looked at the most popular wedding dance songs, and chosen one at random.

As Damon swept her onto the dance floor, she heard Etta James' At Last playing softly. Elena was determined not to enjoy the dance, not to look at him, but as Damon waltzed her around the floor; his hand warm on her back, her hand held firmly in his, she found it far too easy to get caught up in the moment. The music was light and romantic and Damon had the tiniest smile playing around his lips. It was all well and good for him to smile, she thought, he had what he wanted and he hadn't cared who he hurt to get it.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" he whispered in her ear, as they spun around the floor one more time.

She glared at him, which only served to make his smile grow wider.

"You look even more beautiful when you're mad."

She wanted to hit him. "I hate you," she said under her breath.

"I know," he said. "You'll get over it though."

He was so damn arrogant and cocky.

"A lifetime is too long to be mad at someone," he told her.

"Want to bet?" she asked.

"Sure," he said. "What are we betting?"

"Forget it,' she told him. She'd never win a bet she made with him, she was sure of it.

"Well, if you change your mind, you let me know."

They stopped talking as other people started to join them on the dance floor.

Finally the song finished and they left the dance floor. She knew it wouldn't be long now until it was time for them to leave the reception. She had no idea what Damon had in store for their honeymoon. The honeymoon was the only thing that he had organized. She'd been told to get her passport ready, so she assumed she was leaving the country but that was the extent of her knowledge.

Her suitcases were locked away safely in the venue so that they could leave when they needed to. Then she would be alone with him. She had no idea how long they would be gone for. Damon had spoken to her parents about how long she would need off, since she worked in the family business.

The rest of the reception passed far too quickly and soon they were saying their goodbyes to everyone. She held back the tears as she hugged her mother and father.

"I love you Mom. I love you Dad."

"We love you too Sweetheart. Have a great time. We'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

She hugged them again. She had no idea when she would see them next, and suddenly she felt very overwhelmed by the idea that when she returned from the honeymoon, her life would be completely different.

Damon watched Elena's eyes fill with tears as she said goodbye to her parents. She was such a warm and caring woman, and obviously a touch sentimental. He'd never thought of himself as sentimental, but when she'd walked down the aisle in her white wedding dress, he'd felt something. When she'd said her vows and when she'd danced in his arms, he'd felt something. He was sure that he'd never seen anything or anyone as beautiful as his new wife; a wife who now hated him with a passion.

He was going to have to do something about that, but it would take time. Now that she was his, he was going to work on making her happy everyday, until hopefully she forgave him for what he'd said; for what he'd done. If she never forgave him, it would be a long and unhappy marriage ahead for them.

He'd always been able to charm people and get his way. He had a feeling though, that making things right with Elena would be the biggest challenge he'd ever face. He couldn't buy his way out of this with her, but he hoped the honeymoon might be the place to start showing her just how good they could be together; just how right the two of them were for each other.

"Elena," he said, holding out his arm for her, "it's time to go." She looked at his arm as if it were a poisonous snake, before she hesitantly looped her arm through his. "Just wait until you see what I've got in store for you, Mrs Salvatore," he told her huskily. He had the delicious pleasure of watching her blush.

He smiled as they walked out together. She was meant for him. He was meant for her. They were good companions for each other. He just had to make her realize that.

A/N: In regards to pacing and lemons, my intention is to follow as closely as possible the Mills & Boon formula. Honeymoon next chapter. I'll post my update date on my profile page as soon as I know when the next update will be.

Happy holidays everybody. Thank you for reading and please let me know what you thought of this chapter.