A/N The Vampire Diaries Settings and Characters all belong to LJ Smith and the CW. Any original characters and this story are copyright © 2011-2018 to Hopelessromanticgurl, all rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
A couple months passed by and things continued to get better. Jeremy pulled up his grades and stopped doing drugs and stopped drinking Elena and Stefan only got closer, especially when Stefan really started to miss Lexi, Elena was there for him.
Now it was Stefan's birthday and he wasn't looking forward to it either. He was 162, he had, had enough of birthdays. Little did he know Elena had something special planned.
He was sleeping when he started to hear whispering voices.
"Shh, he's always been a light sleeper, we don't want to wake him yet."
That was Lexi, so she was home but who was she talking to, why did he smell smoke?
"Are you sure he's going to like this cake?"
That was Elena and there was cake, was that the smoke he smelled?
It was quiet after that…something wasn't right. The next thing he knew two weights jumped on his bed bouncing on it like a trampoline.
"Wake up sleepy head, it's your birthday!" Elena giggled.
He groaned and grabbed the pillow putting it on his head. "I'm going to sleep through my birthday but thanks anyway."
"Not a chance!" Lexi said. "You're going to get up now or I will force you up."
"You can't."
"Don't test me." Lexi smirked.
Elena just giggled as she jumped up and down on the bed. "Get your lazy butt up, Stefan Salvatore!"
"No!" he groaned.
"Fine, you've been warned." Lexi smirked.
She jumped down and landed on her knees. Elena did the same. Lexi grabbed Stefan by the sides and tickled him. Stefan screamed and instantly burst into laughter.
"You were warned." Lexi smirked. "Elena get his stomach."
Elena smirked and attacked his stomach making him laugh harder.
"All right!" Stefan laughed. "No more Mr. Nice Guy"
He sat up and tickled the girls right back. They fell onto their backs laughing and giggling as they rolled around on the bed.
"Ste-Stefan stop!" Elena begged giggling insanely.
"Not a chance, you two started it, I'm going to finish it." He laughed as he got Lexi in her weakest spot causing her to squeal and screaming with laughter. "Now to find your weakest spot Ms. Gilbert." He teased.
"Ste-Stef-….can't breathe!" Elena gasped between giggles.
Stefan chuckled and stopped his attack on her but continued on Lexi. Elena was human, she needed to breathe. Lexi on the other hand didn't. But she over powered him and knocked him onto his back and tickled him more.
"Help me, Elena." Lexi laughed.
Elena shook her head. "I'm staying out of this, I've learned my lesson."
"Good girl!" Stefan laughed. "Now help me!"
Elena giggled and shook her head. "Like I said I'm staying out of it."
Stefan and Lexi stopped and shared and look and then looked to Elena and smirked. She squealed knowing what they were thinking. They attacked her with tickles as she laughed and squirmed hysterically.
The whole morning was spent laughing, teasing, and lots more tickle fights.
Elena's stomach growled causing them to finally go downstairs to get some lunch.
"So where is Vicky?" Stefan asked.
"With Matt and Jeremy. Don't worry I wouldn't have left her alone if I didn't think she was ready. She worked really hard and really tried. She couldn't do the animal diet but she was able to control herself around human blood long enough to not hurt anyone." Lexi explained. "Plus do you think Elena would let me leave them alone if she wasn't."
"Good point." Stefan chuckled.
"Hey, I'm not sorry for protecting my brother." Elena said seriously.
"Good, I wouldn't want you to be." Stefan smiled.
Elena and him shared a smile before kissing gently on the lips.
"So!" Lexi said loudly to break them up. "There is a party at The Grill tonight we should go."
"Damon compelled Caroline to throw it. That normally means he's up to something. I vote we stay home." Stefan said.
Lexi shook her head. "You are NOT going to spend your birthday hiding from you brother locked away in your bedroom."
"I won't be locked away in my room or hiding from Damon."
"He'll be locked away in my room hiding from Damon there." Elena teased.
Stefan gave her a playful glare making her giggle. He pinched her side making her squeal and giggle harder.
"MY point is, that you aren't spending your party locked away somewhere. We are going out tonight and we're going to have fun."
"It's my birthday…should I get to decide what we do?" Stefan teased.
"It's my day and that means we're going to the party tonight."
"Yes Mommy." Stefan teased once more.
"Oh stop it, you know I hate when you do that." Lexi groaned. "Now if you two will excuse me. I'm hungry."
Lexi got up and left the room. Elena looked to Stefan. "How does she…"
"Blood bags, she dated a phlebotomist once a long time ago. He supplies it for her." Stefan answered.
"Has she ever tried the…"
"Yes, it lasted 3 weeks." Lexi said coming back into the room with a blood bag.
Elena noticed Stefan got a little tense. "You ok?" she asked.
He nodded. "I will be."
"He hasn't had any human blood in a very long time. Sometimes being around it gets to be very difficult for him." Lexi explained. "I forget that sometimes. Sorry, Stefan. I'll got back into the other room."
"No it's ok. I'm fine." Stefan said quickly. "I promise."
"What made you decide to drink the animal blood instead, does it taste better?"Elena asked.
"There is a night and day difference. Just like there is a difference between veggies and chocolate."
"So why drink the animal blood? I mean drinking from the bags isn't as bad as hurting people."
"It's not, I just…I…" Stefan sighed and looked to Lexi for help.
Lexi put her hand on his. "It's ok." Then she looked to Elena. "Stefan sometimes gets carried away when he has human blood. Once he starts he just can't stop himself and he becomes a danger to himself and others. So he decided to do the animal diet because he wouldn't hurt people anymore." Lexi explained. "Look, like I told Vikcy what he did in the past and nothing compared to the type of man he is now."
"I know. I wasn't judging I was just…curious."
Stefan nodded. "It's hard for me to talk about my past."
Elena nodded. "I understand, but you've opened up to me a lot these past few months so thank you."
Stefan smiled. "Thank you for listening."
They smiled at each other and shared a kiss on the lips.
"Oh you two are so adorable." Lexi smiled.
"Hey, whatever happen to that guy?" Stefan wondered taking the attention off a now blushing Elena.
Lexi chuckled. "Nothing we're still together."
"Wait you have a boyfriend?" Elena asked. "When do you see him?"
"Why do you think I went to Ohio? That's where he lives. He helped me with Vicky."
"When do we get to meet him?"
"Yeah, when do I get to question this boy? I need to make sure he's good enough for you. He does know if he hurts you I'll break his neck, right?" Stefan asked.
"Ok Big Brother, relax. All right. He said he's come visit soon." Lexi rolled her eyes at Stefan.
"Is he human?" Elena asked.
"He was…"
"Was?"
"Yeah, he made the choice to become like us and so now he's like me."
Elena didn't know what to say. Was that a choice she'd have to make? Would Stefan be angry or break up with her if she didn't want to be a vampire?
"Honey, relax, there is no law that says you have to become a vampire to date one." Lexi said with a softly smile. "No pressure."
Elena smiled softly and nodded.
"Anyway you guys will meet him soon. He said he'd come visit this week or next so you'll meet him real soon."
"Good. I'll go stock up on wooden stakes." Stefan teased.
"That's not even funny." Lexi glared.
Stefan chuckled. "Just looking out for you, Lex."
"I know and I love you for that. But trust me. He's not going to hurt me."
Stefan nodded.
"Well, this has been a fun morning, but I need to go get ready."
"For what?" Stefan asked.
"The party at The Grill." Elena answered with a smile.
"It's not for hours."
"It's going to take that long to get ready."
"You're perfect though. You don't need to change anything."
Elena chuckled. "You're such a sweet talker but you don't have to lie to me."
She went up to walk away but squealed when Stefan grabbed her by the waist and pulled her onto his lap. He held her tightly to him.
She squirmed. "Let me go, Stefan!"
He laughed. "Nope, you're trapped."
She squirmed and squirmed but quickly gave up and pouted. "I give up, let me go."
"You have to say you're perfect and don't need to change."
"Stefan!" Elena whined.
"Say it, you better say it."
"If I don't will you ever let me go?"
"Nope."
"Ok." Elena shrugged and snuggled into his chest.
"Well that back fired." Lexi teased.
"Not really. I've got another trick up my sleeve." He smirked.
Lexi looked to him confused. He smiled. He started to tickle her sides. She squealed and squirmed and giggles. "Stefan!"
"Say it!" he chuckled.
"No! Stop it!"
"Not until you say it. I don't mind waiting. I can find your weak spots."
"No!" Elena giggled squirming. "Ok, ok!"
Stefan chuckled and stopped.
Elena sighed. "I'm perfect and don't need to change."
"Thank you. Good girl, now you may go." Stefan said opening his arm to release her.
She climbed off his lap and laughed. "NOT!" Then she ran out of the room.
Stefan chuckled and shook his head. He'd get her back for that one later.
He looked over at Lexi who was just watching him carefully. "What?" he asked.
"Nothing, I'm just trying to figure it all out." Lexi answered.
"Figure what all out?"
"Katherine and Elena, they're twins but are not related in any way? How can you be sure this isn't another one of Katherine's tricks?"
"You and I both know what happen to Katherine, Lexi and I'd rather not re visit that memory."
"I'm sorry, but it's that reason I don't want you to get hurt again. "
"I know and I love you for that, but… Katherine and Elena may look the same at the outside but at the inside they are completely different."
"Tell me how."
"Elena is … Elena's warm and she's...she's kind, and caring, she's selfless and it's real and honestly when I'm around her... I completely forget what I am."
Lexi watched as Stefan got this far away look in his eye and smiled brightly just talking about her.
"Oh My gosh…" Lexi said with a smile. "You're in love with her."
Stefan smiled back even brighter. "Yeah, I am."
"SO tell her!"
"No, not yet. It's too soon." Stefan said.
Lexi chuckled. "No you're just scared."
"Things are finally going good for us again, Lex. I don't want to mess that up."
"How is that going to mess things up?"
"What if she doesn't love me back?"
"Stefan, she loves you. I can see it in her eyes face whenever you two look at each other. That's why I'm asking about Katherine. You thought she was just this nice sweet girl too. I know you two are closer and more in love it's why I'm asking. But I know she loves you."
Stefan smiled softly. "I'll tell her when the time is right."
Lexi just smiled and nodded. Elena and Stefan were in love, they were both just too scared to admit it.
Hours later it was time for the party and everyone headed to The Grill. Lexi and Elena dragged Stefan to the dance floor.
They both danced with the music Stefan just stood there pretending to dance.
"Ok, I'm going to need some more foot movement." Lexi laughed.
"Yeah, I'm not really in the mood for making a fool of myself." Stefan asked.
"Come on, you're not that bad." Lexi teased.
"Just let me know if you see Damon with a camera phone."
Lexi laughed. Elena smiled. "You're a good dancer, come on dance with me, please?" Elena begged.
"Elena…"
"Pwease!" Elena begged with her best puppy dog pout.
Stefan groaned. He never could say no to that face. "All right! Fine! Let's go!"
"Yay!" Elena giggled. She grabbed his hand and dragged him away. Lexi laughed as she watched them. Her cell phone vibrated so she took it out and saw a text.
"Not too far away. I'll be there soon. Can't wait to see you."
Lexi smiled a mile wide and she felt a rush of excitement. Only one person could cause all that.
A little later Stefan and Elena came over both laughing hysterically. It was almost as if they hadn't stopped.
"Ok, time for a break from dancing how about some pool?" Stefan said.
"Cool. I'm in."
Everyone headed over to the pool table.
"Fair warning I'm awesome at this game." Stefan teased.
Lexi laughed. "Yeah, ok sure. If you call getting zero balls in at every turn than yes you're awesome."
Elena giggled. "It's ok, Stefan I'm not very good either. Why don't Stefan and I go on a team against Lexi, we can be bad together?"
"Ok." Lexi smiled.
"Loser buys the drinks." Stefan said.
Lexi laughed. "Ok."
Elena broke and got 3 balls into one pocket. She looked to Lexi and giggled innocently.
"Lucky shot." Lexi said.
Elena went again she got 2 more balls in.
Stefan just laughed. "Wow, you're really good for someone who says she's really bad."
Elena just shrugged innocently.
Lexi shook her head. "She tricked me."
"Me? Never!" Elena giggled.
She hit the cue ball again and got the rest of her solid balls in. Then she hit the 8 ball in and the game was over. "I win."
"Oh you're in trouble now, Ms. Gilbert." Lexi threatened.
Elena squealed and ran to hide behind Stefan. He laughed. "Sorry Lex, you're not going to touch her."
"Oh I'll get my revenge, just you wait. Remember Elena I know where you live, and I've been invited in." she smirked and left to get the drinks.
Elena gulped playfully. Stefan turned around and chuckled. "Relax, she's not going to hurt you."
"I know. I'm not scared."
"Good. That was pretty impressive. Where did you learn to play?"
"My Dad used to teach me when we came here for Daddy daughter date night."
"Sounds like fun."
Elena nodded. "Every Saturday night when he got home from work." Elena inhaled and exhaled a deep breath.
"You ok?" Stefan asked.
Elena nodded once more. "That first Saturday after he died I couldn't even leave my room. I knew if I came downstairs and didn't see him waiting by the door for me I'd break down hysterically. I couldn't even come here on a Saturday. It's gotten better but for a while it was hard."
Stefan smiled gently and rubbed her back. "Your Dad would be so proud that you're back here and still having fun."
Elena smiled and nodded.
Lexi came back with 3 shot glasses. Elena's entire attitude changed.
Stefan noticed. "What's wrong?"
"Um…nothing…"
"That's a lie, what's going on?" Lexi asked. "Look, if this is about before, Elena I'd never hurt you."
"I know, Lexi. This isn't about that."
"Then what is it, did Stefan say something stupid?"
Elena giggled softly. "No, it's not that. I just…I can't…"
"Can't what?" Lexi asked.
Elena pointed to the shot glasses. "A drunk driver is what caused my parents car to go off the bridge that night. I just can't….and I don't want you guys to but I'm scared you'll get angry and I…I…I'm sorry, I just…I…I can't."
"Elena, Sweetie, breathe, take a deep breath." Stefan said rubbing her back. "No one is going to force you to drink."
"But then you'll drive home and…"
"No, Lexi and I agreed a while a go that we'd just run home. No driving no risk of hurting people." Stefan told her.
"But…"
"Elena, listen, Honey, it takes a lot before a vampire gets drunk. One shot glass won't do any damage. I got one for Stefan because it's his birthday and I wanted to celebrate. The other two are for me. I knew you didn't drink and I respect that. I ordered you a soda and it's coming out shortly."
Elena sighed. "I'm sorry, Stefan and I were just talking about my dad and then I saw the drinks and…I guess I'm not as over it as I thought."
"You never get over a loss, Elena." Lexi said putting a hand on her shoulder. "In time you learn to cope with it."
Elena nodded as a few tears leaked down her cheeks.
"But I was right, Stefan said something stupid." Lexi asked hoping to make her smile again.
Elena giggled softly. "No, honestly he didn't. I was just having a moment. Now where were we?"
"Well…I think I was about to get revenge for you tricking me at pool. Only this time, Stefan is going to help."
"I am?" Stefan asked.
"Yep, because you want pay back too, remember for what happen at the house earlier?"
"OH yeah!" Stefan laughed.
Elena squealed and took off running.
Lexi and Stefan laughed. "How long do we give her?"
"Just a couple seconds." Lexi said.
Stefan chuckled. He knew they could both easily catch her, but sometimes chasing her was all part of the fun.
"STEFAN! LEXI! HELP ME!"
They both looked to each other and rushed out of the room as fast as they could.
They got outside Elena was pinned to the wall by a vampire who was about to have her for dinner.
"Get off her!" Stefan yelled. He ran at him and ripped the vampire off her and growled dangerously.
Lexi went to attack him but stopped. "Wait…"
"Lexi?" the vampire asked.
"Kevin?" Lexi answered.
They next thing Stefan and Elena knew the two were hugging and kissing passionately.
"Um…Lexi?" Stefan asked keeping Elena hidden behind him.
Lexi pulled away. "Oh! Sorry, um…this is Kevin my boyfriend."
"Oh so this is the mystery man." Stefan said.
"Yeah, sorry about that girl, is she a friend of yours?" Kevin asked.
"That's Elena." Lexi said.
"Oh! Man, I'm really sorry."
Stefan shook his head. "It's all right. She's ok." He turned to look at Elena and chuckled. "I think she is in shock. She is still new to the whole vampire thing so just give her some time to warm up to you. After all you did just try and kill her. Elena, it's ok. You're safe now. This guy won't hurt you." Stefan said to her gently.
She slowly and carefully came out behind Stefan.
"Nice to meet you Elena, I'm Kevin, Lexi's boyfriend. I heard a lot about you." He said nicely.
"You're not human, Lexi made it seem like…" Elena choked out.
"If you want to be with someone forever you have to live forever. I choice to be like her."
Elena just nodded. Did Stefan expect her to change for him? Would she be willing to do that?
"Well let's head home. I'm done partying." Stefan said.
"Me too." Elena nodded.
"Great! Let's go."
Everyone went back to the boarding house and hung out. It had been a nice drama free day. Just the day Stefan was hoping for on his birthday. He had a feeling that wasn't going to last.
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