A/N: Hey all! So, this chapter is very Stefan and Elena heavy. I'll be getting back to the other characters in the next chapter. Hope you all like this chapter.
Thanks for reading!
Remember Me- Chapter Twelve
"Does anyone know that I'm here?" Elena asked, closing the door behind her as Stefan shook his head. He didn't feel right staying with Jeremy and Elena at his apartment. So, he had planned ahead and gotten himself a penthouse suite on the 73rd floor of a high rise building in downtown Seattle. Asking for Elena to join him for the day, seeming like it was the right thing to do since he wanted to spend time with her.
"Just me." He commented, watching as Elena took in the beauty of the view from his suite, shrugging off her jacket as she walked around the place, in awe of it.
"You decided to stay in here for the next few days. How much does this place even cost for a night, renting wise?" She questioned, glancing around the sprawling 2,000 square foot property as she looked to her left, she could see the Space Needle.
Stefan pushed himself up from the cream colored sofa he was sitting on, walking over to her slowly as he finally stood beside her, admiring the view and stealing glances of her facial expressions as he tried to explain. "Well, for starters. I wouldn't know that." He replied, making a popping noise with his tongue as they stood there, watching the sun going down, his hands were in his pockets as he tried to keep himself and his emotions in check around her.
"Why not?" She asked, curious as to find out why he'd want to spend so much on a place in which he was only going to be spending only a few nights in. Stefan cleared his throat, turning to her fully as he smiled and stated with a serious tone. "Because, I bought this penthouse for a little less than a million dollars late last night. And, it came totally furnished, which was a nice bonus."
Elena's face dropped, her eyebrows rose as she turned towards him as if he was losing his mind. "Excuse me?" She asked, watching him as he moved across the living room, the tile floors causing his shoes to squeak a little as she watched his left hand glide across the grand piano he had inadvertently inherited with the property that he was now the owner of. "Since my treatments are going to be starting in about a week or so and I'll be practically living here for a little while. I'll be too sick to travel back to Florida on some days, I'm sure of it. I figured that it would be best to settle down here for a bit."
Elena blinked at him, glancing down at her cream colored flats as she tried to understand his reasoning. "But, why Seattle? Aside from the treatments…" Her voice trailed off as Stefan shrugged his shoulders as he looked up past her while he spoke. She could tell that he was nervous to talk about his future suddenly.
"Because, I guess I wanted our son to have someplace to go that was close to your family too. Didn't your aunt move up here a few months ago to be closer to your brother and your parents? And, from what I heard from your brother the other day, you hate London. You've been looking at places here." He said as Elena stood there speechless. How did he even know that? Elena hadn't spoken about Aunt Jenna in a few years when she spoke with Stefan and she hadn't said anything about her apartment search in Seattle at all.
"You've been keeping tabs on me?" She questioned, crossing her arms over her chest as Stefan took a seat on the couch and Elena followed his movements, she turned towards him, wanting answers to his secrecy.
"Not exactly." He stated, turning to his right side as he took a piece of paper off of the small table beside him. Elena watched while he unfolded it and handed it to her. Elena's eyes scanned the document, her words escaping her when she finally read the last piece of paper. Stefan leaned back into his seat, trying to explain.
"I heard that she was moving up here from Katherine and Damon. Well, since I tried so hard to ruin her life just a few years earlier. When I heard she was moving up here to train dogs and open up the boarding house for animals that were mistreated and abused because she wanted to give them their own safe haven. I knew that I needed to help out in the only way I knew how…" His voice trailed off as Elena leaned forward, searching his eyes as she quietly asked. "Stefan, what did you do?"
He swallowed down his fears in telling her as he ran one of his hands through his hair before he found the right words. Silence filled the room for a while before Stefan finally spoke. "I contributed some of my earnings from SD Realty and some of my inherited money from my father to your aunt in helping build her new business on a very nice piece of property that is about two hours outside of this big city. I made a very nice donation in my name and told her that if she needed anything that I'd stay in touch. I also mentioned that you'd be in town and that you'd love to see her. She was the one who said that you hated London and were looking to be transferred back to the states."
Elena sat in front of him, totally dumbfounded and speechless. There really wasn't much to say. Hell, she couldn't even believe what she was hearing as he turned away from her and leaned back into the couch cushions. Stefan glanced down at his hands, feeling nervous around her all of a sudden. "You know; it's been a while since you've seen her. I mean, the last time was before we split up." Elena watched Stefan's face fall at little at his words. He was right, she hadn't really been in contact with Jenna since she left everyone behind for London. There were phone calls here and there. But, they weren't very frequent and Jenna just barely had much time anyways since she was so busy trying to rebuild a business that had been practically ripped right from underneath her years before.
"She knows that we're not together anymore." Elena commented, allowing the acidic tone of her words to burn down her throat as she turned to face him.
Stefan was quiet for a while, staring down at the couch cushion, noticing that one of the small fibers had been snagged and was now popping out. He placed his hand down on to the cushions, running his finger over the fabric. "Elena," He began to say, swallowing down hard as he tried to think about what he wanted to say to her. There was so much to say and yet, neither of them were saying anything that important. It was almost as if they were dancing around the subject. He knew he had to say something as she glanced up at him, her eyes filled with wonder and intrigue.
"I know." Elena said, leaning forward as she slowly placed her right hand onto his face, caressing his cheek. Her smile faded when she suddenly felt sorrow and sadness. It was breaking her heart knowing that she was here with him only under the worst circumstances. "We can talk about that later." She said softly, suddenly getting up from the couch as she wiped her sweaty hands off of her dark jeans that she was wearing. Stefan watched with a careful eye while Elena leaned against the counter in the kitchen, her arms crossed over her chest. He gave her a few minutes, noticing that she was admiring a picture of Ben and Stefan that was on the fridge, the little boy had placed his little hands onto his father's cheeks, smiling gleefully as Stefan leaned towards his son for a kiss. It made her choke up as she took a step forward, running her finger over the image. Elena jumped a little when she suddenly heard Stefan's voice coming up from behind her, his eyes glazed over with tears while he spoke.
"I'm not going to be able to say goodbye to him. And, I can't say goodbye to you either. I don't want you to watch me die here." He said, glancing at the picture and then Elena who was now standing just a few feet away from him as she uncrossed her arms. They stood just inches away from one another as Stefan extended out his hand, watching her take it. She intertwined their fingers together just as she had done so many times before while she spoke softly. "You're going to get through this. You're not going to have to say goodbye to him, Stefan. You never will and neither of us are going to watch you die. Because, you're going to be okay." She stated, squeezing his hand for reassurance as he pulled her into him, embracing her tightly while he buried his face into her hair, like he had done years ago when they were together. Elena didn't know what to say as she slowly wrapped her arms around him, tightly holding him against her while he allowed himself to cry.
Stefan pulled away first, caressing Elena's cheeks as she glanced up at him, her eyes were filled with unshed tears too. The topic of his death was heart wrenching and she didn't want to talk about it anymore. She just wanted to be in the moment with him. Her dark brown eyes never left him as Stefan pushed her hair back, his fingertips caressing her neck. Elena closed her eyes, breathing deeply as she felt his lips against her skin, kissing the warm flesh softly as he felt her pulse quicken under his mouth. He kissed her cheek, then her lips. A sweet tender kiss that made her body ache for him.
"Stefan," She stammered out his name, causing him to pull back as he locked his eyes on to her.
"You're married." She reminded him. The tension came to a standstill as Elena watched him take a step back, keeping his composure. He shook his head, trying to clear it from all of the consuming thoughts of Elena in front of his eyes. Yes, she was right. He was married and he loved Aubrey. However, it had never been the kind of love that he had towards Elena. The feelings he had for her were a lot more intense and deeply rooted within him. Stefan stood in the kitchen, watching as Elena walked over to the living room, taking her purse into her hands and searching for her jacket. "I think that I should go," She began to say. Part of her knew that if she stayed that things would become intense and get even more heated between them than they were now. Even though a small part of her wanted to be with him, knowing that Stefan was 'happily married' made it all feel completely wrong. She took a few steps towards the door, her head telling her to leave as her heart pulled her in another direction, begging her to stay.
Elena headed towards the door, causing Stefan to cut her off. His eyes were searching hers as he took her hand and heard her purse drop to the ground, she was trembling when he placed his hand onto her cheek again, staring deeply and affectionately into her eyes. "Please, don't leave. I want you to stay. Because, I still love you. And, I know that I'm married to her. But, my heart isn't in it, Elena. It should have been you. It should have always been you. I'm sorry, but I can't fight this anymore. Being so close to you and so far, away at the same time is killing me." He told her, leaning forward and capturing her warm lips against his own. Elena felt her body being pushed up against one of the walls in the hallway as her fingertips and hands slide underneath Stefan's white t-shirt, his skin tightening at her touch while his lips kissed her neck, working their way up to her awaiting and eager mouth. The kiss was passionate, causing a moan to escape past Stefan's mouth as he pressed Elena into the wall, lifting her arms above her head while feeling them slide down to his neck, wrapping around him. Elena's eyes fluttered open, leveling with his desire filled gaze. He kissed her once more, an open mouthed kiss that left his body filled with longing for more of her.
"We shouldn't do this." Elena warned, feeling the butterflies within her stomach as he shook his head, swallowing down his fears while he lowered himself down on to his knees. Elena leaned her head back, feeling Stefan's calloused fingers brush against her soft flesh, caressing her stomach. His lips were on her skin, kissing his way up the middle of her chest as he slid her shirt gently over her head. He smiled at her, as it fell to the ground and she locked her eyes on to his, attempting to try and reason with him. "Stefan," She began to say, looking him directly in his eyes as he kissed her before she could finish her sentence.
Stefan took Elena's hand into his, leading her down the hallway and into his bedroom. Elena tightened the grip on his hand. "Stefan, if we do this. There is no going back, she's going to find out…Eventually…" Elena's voice trailed off as he let go of her hand. Stefan stood in front of her, searching her eyes while he placed his hand onto her cheek, caressing it with his thumb as he spoke reassuringly and softly. "It doesn't matter anymore, Elena. I don't want to go back. I can't keep lying to myself anymore. Because, I want you. Here. Now. I just want you." He told her, leaning forward and kissing her gingerly at first before the kiss intensified and Elena felt his arms wrap protectively around her just as her knees hit the back of the mattress, pulling Stefan down with her. She giggled, smiling up at him with a loving glance.
"I don't want to go back either." She stated confidently, touching his face gently before their lips met again and she sweetly kissed him, her fingers slipping into his short and gelled hair as she heard Stefan groan. His hand was gently resting down on her lower back while he pulled her closer. Elena could feel his hand slide down her spine as he moved some of her hair out of the way. He kissed her collar bone, sucking and nipping down at the skin while she leaned her head back, allowing him more access to as much skin he could get his hands on. Her mind raced with silly thoughts. It had been six years since they had been intimate with each other. She wondered if he noticed the changes of her body. Because, she sure as hell noticed the changes in his. He was stronger, a lot leaner and as she ran her hand over his biceps, her whole body shivered at the thought of the last time that they had been this close, years earlier.
Stefan carefully discarded her bra and tossed it onto the floor as Elena's hands slide down his chest, her fingertips unbuttoning his jeans as she slid her hand down to his zipper. Stefan kicked his jeans off, hearing them hit the ground as he returned his attention back to Elena, his lips moving quick and slow, his tongue tasting her skin as he inhaled her scent. Damn it, he had missed her way more than he was willing to admit. She felt different and yet, she was still the same girl that he had fallen for just years before. Elena felt familiar. "I've missed you." She laughed, feeling his lips move down to neck as he massaged her breast with one hand and she closed her eyes, arching her body forward at the same time that Stefan teased her right nipple and then her left with his moist tongue.
His head lifted up from her body, kissing the middle of her chest as he rested his chin in between her perky breasts while glance up at her lovingly. "Remember when we would have sex in my office?" He joked, hearing her breathing heavily until it even out a bit. Elena murmured out in a soft tone. "Mhmm, why?"
In between kisses and caresses, Stefan's mouth stopped at the hem of her black lace panties. His teeth grazing against her skin made Elena shiver. Her heart was pounding quickly and she could feel her pulse starting to speed up in her ears, the thumping noise was nearly unbearable. "I just think you used to look so sexy, the way you'd bite you lip as I did this…." His voice trailed off, Stefan caressed her legs as his hand moved to lower her underwear. Elena arched her back forward and smirked, hearing herself nearly gasp out a moan as Stefan's fingertips gently massaged her clit. Elena inhaled deeply, biting her tongue while holding her breath. "Stefan…" She groaned out again, a warning under her breath as she closed her eyes and lowered herself down to the mattress. Elena could feel her underwear begin to slide down her knees, until they too were somewhere on the floor. Her breathing picked up as her body felt like it was on fire and she gave in, completely. To him, to everything he was doing to her that was driving her crazy.
They lay in the dark, his hand caressing her spine, his fingertips tracing the scar on her shoulder as he ran his fingers up and down her back. Leaning in, Elena heard him inhale deeply as he left a kiss on her skin. They were both quiet for a long time as Elena closed her eyes, feeling fairly guilty that she had just slept with a married man. "Stefan…I should go." She said, trying to convince herself that it was for the best. Although, his tired voice and firm grip made her stop as he pulled her closer towards him, kissing her cheek.
"I know that you should. But, I don't want you to leave. Elena, we got caught up in the moment…" He said out loud, knowing how stupid he sounded as he tried to justify his actions.
"You're married." She pointed out, the words tasting bitter in her mouth when she said them out loud.
"The guilt just isn't setting in for you yet. The minute you see Aubrey in a few days-." He cut her off, sighing out a breath as he explained. "Aubrey and I are on a break."
Elena gave him a perplexed look, rolling her eyes and suddenly getting up from the bed. She was fumbling in the dark for her clothes. "I am a stupid woman! I shouldn't be here and it doesn't matter that you're on a break with your wife. Stefan, you're still married. You know what this makes me look like? A cheater! I am a fucking cheater. You are fucking married and I am a fuckin-." It was sudden, his lips against hers in the dark as they stumbled back into the bed, Elena's body falling into the sheets again and against the mattress effortlessly. She didn't fight him as Stefan kissed her breathlessly, his hands cupping her face as she caught a glimpse of his silhouette in the dark and he admitted something that he had been bottling up within him. Stefan hovered over her, their legs mangled together as he smiled down at her sweetly before he spoke. "The doctor said that if I'm lucky, I've got five more years to live. Aubrey and I are on a break and to be honest, these last few hours with you. They've made me feel more alive than I have in years with her. I have missed you more than you ever know. When I told you that I still loved you, Elena. I meant it. I meant every single word. I love you, Elena. I love you." He told her, leaning down and kissing her lips as she placed her warm hands against his cheek, feeling his tears trickling down his face. Elena leaned forward, speechless as to what to say to him. Instead, she kissed him, their lips breaking apart just as she whispered in the dark, "No matter what happens, I love you too."
Rolling them over, the sheets mangled in between them, while Stefan pushed the sheets away, caressing Elena's face while smiling down at her. "You're still as beautiful as the day you were when I first met you." He said, kissing her collar bone as he worked his lips down between her chest while she ran her fingers through his hair. Her mind reeling with their new reality. Elena felt Stefan lowering his body against hers, leaving a kiss and a caress as he went along. Every touch was delicate, every kiss was warm and gentle. He wasn't like he had been years ago, aggressive and needy. His hands moved down to her hips, pulling her down underneath him suddenly made Elena gasp as her curious eyes met his and he tilted his head to the side, his right hand touching her right thigh. "What are we going to do now?" She asked him, knowing that there wasn't any going back from the emotions and feelings that had reawaken within her and within himself.
Stefan was quiet for a long time, his lips kissing her stomach as he readjusted himself while Elena wrapped her legs around his pelvis, her heels digging into his back. He bit his lip nervously, searching her eyes as she noticed something familiar within his green gaze. A filthy hunger filled with desire. Stefan leaned down, brushing her hair away from her shoulder as he bent his head down too, kissing her there before he locked his eyes on to her again and in a seductive tone he spoke. "I'm going to make love to you. So passionately, so delicately. We're going to do it over again and again, until dawn. And, when we're done. You'll fall asleep in my arms and I'll tell you how much I love you. Because when I'm gone, I never want you to forget how much you were always loved by me, Elena. I never want you to forget us."
A/N: Please feel free to leave me a review or chat with me on twitter about the story at BePassionate_24
Until Next Time!