The shrill sound of an alarm clock startles Elena, and almost instantly she felt the sharp throbbing of her temple. Her hand reaches over to silence the incessant ringing and bolts out of the comfortable warmth of her bed.
Groaning loudly, Elena makes her way to the bathroom to take a quick shower and brushes her teeth before putting on a plain white blouse and her favorite jeans. She slips on her Converse and brushes her long brown hair into a ponytail before rushing downstairs to have some breakfast.
"Morning, Mom," Elena states as she enters the kitchen.
"How did you sleep?" Miranda asks as she sets a plate down in front of Elena.
"Pretty good. Where's dad?" she asks as she takes a bite of hash browns.
"He's already at the park. I told him we'd join him when you woke up." Miranda replies and takes a swallow of her coffee.
"You could have gotten me up earlier."
"I know but you came in late last night. Did you and Damon have a good time?"
Elena smiles dreamily as she remembers Damon kissing her goodnight and how she melted into him as his mouth moved with hers.
"That answers my question," Miranda teases as she sets her dishware in the sink.
"Mom!" Elena gasps and her cheeks bloom red.
"Oh don't act so scandalized. I know Damon is easy on the eyes. Finish your breakfast so we can go."
Elena rolls her eyes as she stands to place her dishes in the sink...
"Thank you all for coming out today," Carol Lockwood states as she looks over the crowd. "This is all part of the historical society, continuing efforts to give back to the community. Thanks to the generous donation of the Fell family. We are now standing in the sight of our newest public park." She pauses when a round of applause breaks out.
"Tonight there's a street dance and barbecue to celebrate."
Tyler Lockwood urges his mother aside and takes the microphone from his mom.
"So let's get this done so we can party tonight," he yells excitedly and jumps off the stage to lend a hand.
Damon traipses lazily toward Elena. After oversleeping and much to his chagrin, Stefan had to drag him out of bed.
"Hey you," Damon smirks as he pulls her into his arms and presses a sweet kiss on her lips.
"Hi, you're late," she comments and steps back slightly.
"Good old Stefan to the rescue," Damon rolls his eyes.
"I didn't want to get up either," she sighs as she takes his arm and tugs him toward their group of friends.
"Wouldn't you rather go to bed...together?" Damon waggles his eyebrows at her suggestively.
"No, you're not getting out of this one." Elena laughs and hands him a pair of garden gloves so they can help out.
"Fine," Damon agrees begrudgingly and slips them on. "But tonight is ours," he adds as he grabs a rake.
Elena winks at him as a rosy color fills her cheeks. "I can't wait," she whispers in his ear, letting her lips linger for a moment before she wanders off to get a compost bag.
Damon stares at her backside as she sashays away with a purposeful swing of her hips.
"Elena, you better get cleaned up. You don't want to be late for the dance. I suppose Damon's on his way." Miranda comments as she slips on a pair of earrings.
"I told him I'd meet him there," Elena calls out while she looks at her image in the mirror.
She's wearing an off-the-shoulder Bohemian-style dress with elastic at the waist and cowboy boots. Elena wearing a natural look that enhances the deep pools of her brown eyes. Shrugging, she grabs her bag and hurries down the stairs.
"Jeremy can give you a ride," Miranda comments when Elena appears.
"That's okay. I'm going to walk. It's only a few blocks. How do I look?" Elena twirls around.
"You look lovely."
"Thanks, Mom. I'll see you later," she gives her mom a hug and hurries outside.
Elena arrives and finds him chatting with Enzo. She still thinks there is nothing more beautiful than the intensity of his blue eyes- like a fragile piece of turquoise sea glass that lays in the sand glistening in the sunlight.
"There you are," Damon exclaims when she reaches him. "Let's dance."
Elena accepts Damon's hand as he leads her to the roped-off area.
"Damon?" Elena says with a trembling voice like the soft tunes of the band surrounding them under the moonlight.
He smiles at her as they sway to the music "You don't like it?"
"No! No, I love it."
"You're not changing your mind are you?" Damon looks at her pointedly.
"I just don't want to hurt my parents."
Damon strokes his thumbs against her cheeks. "You're sure."
"Yes, I love you, Damon."
Damon strokes his thumb over her cheeks. "We have to leave now."
Elena nods without hesitation. "I'll see you outside," she tells him and watches as he walks off. Looking around, she sighs in relief when she catches a glimpse of Bonnie and Enzo. Hurrying toward them, she pulls Bonnie aside.
"Elena, what is it? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. I just need you to do me a favor," Elena tells her.
"Yeah, of course. Anything," Bonnie agrees.
"I need you to give this to my dad in half an hour." Elena takes Bonnie's hand, presses a folded piece of paper into it, and closes her fingers around it.
Bonnie looks at her curiously but agrees.
"Thank you." Elena gives her best friend a hug and rushes away to meet Damon.
"I can't believe this. I'm having a Cinderella moment," Elena gushes as she stands holding hands with Damon in front of Joshua Parker, a Justice of the Peace.
Looking down at her, Damon's amazed. Elena is as beautiful now as she was the first time he met her. Her eyes shine like starlight.
"Elena, with this ring, I thee wed," Damon slides the sapphire band on her finger.
The officiant nods at Elena.
"Damon, with this ring I thee wed," Elena slides a simple silver band on his ring finger.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife."
"You may kiss the bride," Joshua Parker winks at Damon.
Damo bends slightly and presses his lips to hers, drinking in the sweet, ripe taste of her. He'll never get enough.
"Congratulations," Mrs. Parker blurts out.
"Thank you," Damon and Elena shake their hands and take their leave.
Feeling blissfully happy, they exit the Parker home just as Grayson pulls up. Jumping out of his car, he storms over to Damon and Elena.
"You two are just too young to get married."
"Dad, you don't understand. I love him."
"You're only 18, Elena. Your mother will be so upset. What about your plans? You haven't even started college. I'm so disappointed in you." Grayson rebukes her.
"But Dad, my future is with Damon. He's my life."
"Look, it's not too late, we can get it annulled."
"Dr. Gilbert," Damon responds, "I have a job lined up in New York. It's a big opportunity for me. For us. And they want me there in two days."
"I want to go with him. I love him," Elena pleads as she tries to reason with her Dad.
"I love your daughter very much. And I'm not gonna let you stop me from loving her or being with you or building a future with her, because Elena is my life."
Touched deeply, Elena leans in to kiss him but is stopped when Grayson pulls her away.
"Well, then I know you'll want what's best for her. Deep down you know I'm right," Dr. Gilbert counters. "Come on, Elena. Get your things."
"Dad, no." Elena shakes her head back and forth.
"If you love her as much as you say you do, a couple of years apart while she goes to college, shouldn't make any difference."
"I understand," Damon replies dejectedly.
"You two just need a little time apart. Think more clearly and realize it's what's best for both of you. this is for the best. I'll send the annulment papers."
"Don't do this, Dr. Gilbert," Damon pleads.
"You're a decent kid. I always liked you, Damon. I hope I wasn't wrong about you," Grayson remarks as he puts Elena's suitcase in his vehicle and nudges her into his car.
"You're not wrong about me and I'll prove that to you," Damon contends and pulls Elena aside. He kisses her fiercely, letting his lips linger...
"Elena, come on," Grayson demands.
Damon whispers in her ear.
Elena nods subtly, holding his stare for several moments before leaving with her father.
His heart seizes in his chest at the wistful look on Elena's face and watches despondently until the taillights are no longer visible in the darkness.
I know I shouldn't have started another new story but I'm in a rather depressed mood today. Thank you for reading.
Thank you, Eva. Love you, sister!
There is a time jump- ten years will have passed when we start chapter two.
TQR will be updated next, tomorrow most likely.
Have a fabulous day.