Elena awoke with a gasp. 'It was just a dream' she thought bitterly. She rolled onto her side and checked the clock. 4.03am. She groaned, it was December 8th, she was officially thirty years old today.

With a sinking feeling she rolled flat onto her back and closed her eyes again, she was refusing to be awake at this hour. If only she could get back to that dream…the same dream she'd been having for the past three weeks…her stomach squirmed pleasurably at the thought of it. But no…it seemed she was wide awake. She considered getting up and making a drink but she could be bothered. Counting sheep was useless. There was only one place her mind would settle and it was on him.

Unable to help herself her hand eventually slipped into her pyjama bottoms and she relived the best parts of her dream in her head. It didn't take long before she was biting down on her lip and climaxing.

Damon arrived into the apartment at a quarter to eight that morning. Elena was just finishing her hair off in her bedroom; she could hear him talking to Jenny. As she walked into the living area she was hit with the smell of his aftershave, she inhaled it and sighed. God. She had it bad. A rush of shame came over her as she dwelled on the fact that she'd been masturbating every night over a twenty three year old guy she'd only met three weeks ago…who also happened to be her kid's nanny. The worst part was she knew he wouldn't look twice at her, she was old and saggy and she was sure she'd spotted her first grey hair this morning.

"Morning." Damon said snapping her out of her pitying trance "You okay?"

"I'm fine." Elena said, trying to smile

"Good." Damon said "Hey I got your mail, it's on the counter."

"Thanks." Elena said, she walked over and picked it up…of course there was a birthday card from her Aunt Jenna amongst the bills and junk mail. She was thankful Damon never noticed it.

"It's a great day out, I think I'll take Jenny out." Damon said "I'll make sure she'd wrapped up."

"Great." Elena smiled "I'm on a half day remember so I'll be home at two."

"That's right, I forgot." Damon replied setting Jenny down on her play mat. "Is there any occasion for your half day? Girl's night out? Dentist?"

"Nothing." Elena lied "Just thought I'd treat myself."

Just then the front door knocked, Elena answered it and then wished she hadn't

"You Elena Gilbert?" the man asked

"Yes." Elena hissed

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" the man wailed as he handed her a bouquet of flowers "Now for your birthday song courtesy of your best friend Caroline…"

"NO!" Elena said loudly "No song, please."

The man looked annoyed "Listen lady, I got paid to deliver the flowers and sing the damn song…"

"Go away" Elena said, closing the door in his face. She was mortified. She prayed that somehow Damon hadn't overheard this exchange

When she turned Damon was there. He looked confused.

"It's your birthday?" he said looking hurt

"Yes." Elena sighed

"Why didn't you say? I feel like such a jerk…"

"Please, don't…I hate birthdays…" Elena said walking past him and placing the flowers in the sink.

"I can't believe you kept that quiet." Damon said crossing his arms.

"Well I did." Elena said awkwardly

"Are you not going out to celebrate with your friends?"

"Yes." Elena said "I am actually. That's why I'm taking a half day. I organised a sitter for Jenny, because… well I hoped you wouldn't find out it was my birthday…"

"Well that worked out at least." Damon explained "I'm working for Alaric tonight."

They stood in silence, both with their arms folded.

"I guess I can open my card now the secrets out." Elena said as she lifted Aunt Jenna's annual card. To her horror it was shaped as a giant 3-0. She quickly read the message inside and tossed it aside.

Damon picked up the card and placed it on the window sill; he then walked slowly to Elena and leaned in, his hands running down her arms. Before she could react he kissed her gently on the corner of her mouth…not quite the cheek… before he drew back

"Happy Birthday, Elena." He said quietly

Her heart was racing "Thank you." She whispered, looking into his eyes for longer than necessary.

He let go of her and went to Jenny and the moment was over… for now…she hoped.