"I don't understand this," Carol Lockwood barks at one of the valet attendants. "I talked to the concierge and he said a car would be here in time to take us to an appointment in town."

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I'll do what I can."

"You need to call someone who knows what they're doing. The bride needs to have her dress fitted properly. It must be done today," Carol demands as her mouth sets in a hard line.

"I don't know why it's not here, ma'am."

"We're expected at the tailor. I need a car now and don't call me ma'am!" Carol grits out as her face reddens with rage.

"Yes, ma'am. I'll see what I can do." He scurries to the valet station to make a call.

"You do that. And I want a car now," she screeches yet again at the attendant.


Having heard Carol's tirade, Elena ducks down and sneaks alongside a row of vehicles waiting to be driven into the valet parking garage. She catches a glimpse of Damon in a truck and hurries as quickly as she can while staying low.

His head jerks to the side when she crawls in and lowers herself in the seat.

"You having second thoughts?" Damon smirks and starts the engine.

"Go. Go. Go!" she tells him.

"Okay, I'm going," he contends as he pulls out of the parking lot. "Not that I mind, but what are you doing?"

"I'm avoiding a wedding dress show-down with my future mother-in-law."

"A what?"

"I want to wear my Mom's dress and she wants me to wear an Amare Couture gown in a size that fits a wasp."

"Okay, where are we going?" Damon asks, sharing a glance with her.

"Anywhere out of the line of fire."

"And then what's your plan?"

"I'll hide out with you until dinner. Simple," Elena retorts as she can finally sit up in the seat.

"Where's Mr. Lockwood in all of this? I've seen you six times already and every time, you're alone."

"Seriously?" she asks incredulously. "You've seen me three, maybe four times."

"You're counting?" Damon smirks.

"Tyler is a very highly sought-after realtor. He sells million-dollar homes and buildings."

"So, what's going on that he's not here when you're getting married tomorrow?"

"Can we just drop it?" Elena sighs.

"Well since you're here, you can help me with an errand. I'll have you back here in an hour or so."

"Lead the way," Elena agrees and leans her head against the window as Damon drives her away from the resort.


A little while later after Damon has driven them to a secluded cove, he parks the pickup and opens the end gate. "Want to give me a hand?"

Elena nods.

"Just grab the other end there," he instructs her and together they carry the hand-crafted table closer to the water and set it down in the perfect spot before returning to the truck to grab the two chairs.

"You made these?" Elena asks, running her palm down the smooth-grained wooden seat.

"I did."

"It's beautiful. You're very talented."

"Thank you." Damon sits down and nods at the chair beside him.

"So, this is why you kidnapped me? Free labor?" she quips as she looks at him. "Who's this for?"

"I beg to differ that I kidnapped you. It was you who climbed into my truck... But to answer your question, I was hiking in the Black Hills of South Dakota a couple of years ago. There's this secluded spot in Custer State Park that has a Poet's Table. People go to sit, enjoy nature, and write their thoughts down. There is a table, chairs, and a cupboard full of journals that people have shared their thoughts in for many years. I thought it was a cool idea so to make a long story short, they're for anyone who wants to sit here with a cup of coffee or a picnic lunch or people who just want to enjoy the view," he answers truthfully.

"Really?" Elena smiles at him. "That is a cool idea. Maybe I'll get there someday."

Damon stares out toward the water. "The whole island used to look like this. And the best part is no weddings for several miles in every direction."

"You do know that you can move away from the hotel?" Elena counters pointedly.

"I do," Damon agrees, nodding slightly.

"You seem to have a thing against getting married?" Elena fishes for an answer. She can't deny the attraction she feels for him. It's not that he's so damn good-looking that he could've been a model for Michaelangelo. He's thoughtful, kind, fun, charming and witty, too. Something that's in short supply with Tyler.

She does love him, right?

Elena can't deny the warm and safe feeling she gets when she stares into Damon's blue eyes. You can't think that way...she swallows thickly, knowing she needs to bury these feelings.

"No, not at all but the resort is like a factory assembly line churning out brides and grooms..."

Snapping out of her musings, Elena nods. "I see your point...We should go, I need to get back."

"Sure," Damon agrees and follows Elena back to his truck.


Varoom, Varoom.

"I thought this battery had at least one more charge in it," Damon grimaces as the starter struggles to work.

"Can you fix it?"

"It's easy. All we need is another car and a set of jumper cables," Damon quips as he gets out of the car to look under the hood.

"I'm calling AAA," Elena tells him as he checks the battery connections.

"Sure," Damon agrees.

"No reception. How will we get out of here?"

"It's a good thing you're wearing decent shoes." Damon closes the hood and starts to walk into the trees. "You coming?"

"Shouldn't we stay on the road? It's easier to flag a passing car when you're on the road!"

"It's a shortcut," Damon counters with a smirk.

"How short?"

Damon shrugs, "Around 5 miles, I suppose."

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Elena contends as she walks beside him.

"Nope. This entire outing has thrown a wrench in my plans," Damon counters, shaking his head.

"What plans were those?"

"I have a Santa shift so we need to pick up the pace."

A short while later they come into a large grove of pine trees. "That's a pretty one," Elena points at a small pine tree sitting amongst several larger ones. "It kind of sticks out."

"It's not perfect," Damon surmises as he stares at it. "Charlie Brown would approve."

"Hold on, I thought you liked imperfections," Elena raises her eyebrows.

Damon narrows his eyes on her. "I was thinking. What's the official cut-off age to be an old maid?"

"That's what you were thinking?" Elena blurts out. She's about to swat him when her cell phone chimes. "Yay, we have service. Six missed calls from Carol." Elena grimaces.

"Does that mean happy?" Damon posits as they continue down the trail.

"It did before she met me..."

"And what's wrong with you?" Damon asks curiously.

"Everything!" Elena throws her arms up in frustration and her eyes widen when Hungry Like the Wolf abruptly interrupts their conversation.

"Tyler!" she gasps as she answers the call.

"Elena!" he echoes back with a smile.

"Where are you?"

"I'm still at the Drakos house. I just stepped outside to touch base with you. Is my mother behaving herself" Tyler asks and a confused look appears on his face. "Who's that?"

"It's no one." Elena shakes her head.

"Where are you?"

"Listen, Tyler. I got a little sidetracked, but everything's fine. When are you coming back?"

"We're wrapping things up here. I should have brought you along because we do have to go back to the office to write up the offer. I'll be back for the rehearsal dinner but I have to run," Tyler nods over his shoulder at two people approaching him.

"Bye," Elena ends the call. "Let's go," she says softly and starts walking with Damon leading the way.


"Mrs. Lockwood, is there something I can help you with?" The Concierge asks as Carol is looking at the crowd.

"Well, it appears as though I've been stood up by the bride-to-be," Carol remarks haughtily.

"Nervous forgetfulness, I'm sure," he tries to appease her.

"As long as you're here I'd like to go over some of the changes to the wedding that need to be made. When I married Richard, we had Tivoli lights. When our vows were spoken, they glowed like fireflies."

"Mrs. Lockwood, you needn't worry. This will be a wedding made in heaven now if you'll excuse me," he smiles at her and rushes away.

"Made in heaven...like tornadoes and tidal waves," Carol grumbles as she enters an elevator to return to her room.


"It's chilly," Elena rubs her hands up her arms.

"Take my coat," Damon slips it off and lays it over her shoulders.

"Aren't you cold?"

"I'm fine...I almost got married once..." Damon casually comments.

"Almost?"

"A partner at my firm took off with my clients and my fiancé."

"That's awful. I'm sorry."

"It was and I was angry for a long time...But once the smoke cleared, I realized it was the best thing that could have happened. My whole life, I was just going through the motions. Wrong girl. Wrong attitude. Wrong job. New bigger, passionless buildings. I was empty inside so I dropped out and here I am lost in the woods with you." Damon winks at her.

"We're not lost, right?"

Damon laughs and shakes his head. "I just don't want to become that person again."

"If you want my opinion, you won't. When a cut heals you get scar tissue. It's not always pretty but it's stronger. Better even. That probably sounds lame to you."

"No, Elena, it doesn't."

"What is this place?" Elena points to an old Totem pole in a small clearing.

"This is a destination wedding site. It's Pamunkey from a time when people stayed married. And for the deluxe marital package," Damon quips, "these woods are shrouded with poison oak which makes for a memorable experience. Virginia's indigenous birds will provide the music, and the best part is red mulberries. All you can eat for no extra charge when in season, of course," he explains as he points at the trees.

Elena sits down on a log and stares blankly.

"What's wrong?" Damon asks as he sits down beside her.

"I'm a terrible bride."

"I've seen worse," Damon attempts to cheer her up.

Elena shakes her head. "No, you haven't."

"Then it has to be something to do with your groom," Damon contends as he stares at her.

"No, there's nothing wrong with him. Tyler's brilliant. He's accomplished and confident. I mean you should see him. He could sell lipstick to a pig. His clients love him, he has fans."

"Do you love him?"

"Yeah, I mean, we...we get along great. We've never even argued." She swallows past the lump in her throat.

"It seems to me that you have nothing to worry about then," Damon shrugs.

"We make a really good team." Elena bursts into tears.

"Don't cry," Damon tries to soothe her

"I'm sorry," she blubbers. "I've been acting so crazy since we got here."

Damon presses his hand against her forehead. "Wedding fever. I see it all the time."

"Oh really?" Elena laughs as wipes her eyes on Damon's coat sleeve.

Damon wrinkles his nose but opts to stay quiet.

"My mom has been planning my wedding since I went to a school dance with Frederick Mason in 8th grade."

"Really?"

"He came over to do homework one time and she baked him a dozen cupcakes. I wanted to crawl into a hole."

"You know what they say; you can try to get somewhere in a hurry and it'll get you there faster but it might get you into an accident."

"Profound...but tell me, Damon, is this the same 'they' that says it's bad luck if the ring's too tight?"

"Nope. That's a different 'they'." Damon waggles his brows and with a twinkle in his eyes, throws a handful of dead leaves at her.

"Hey!" She jumps to her feet and starts swatting him with a small tree branch.

"Give me that!"

"Uh uh," Elena giggles and takes off running with Damon chasing after her.


"There's Elena," comes from a distance as she and Damon approach the resort. "And what a relief, Tyler's here."

"That's not Tyler," Katherine comments as she watches her sister and the stranger walk toward them.

"It looks like you guys caught some fish!" Elena remarks, pointing at the cooler.

"We did. December is a great month for fishing in the bay. It's good to see you again, Damon," Grayson extends his hand.

"You too." Damon pulls back. "I've got a little grease on them."

"Fish guts," Grayson laughs.

"Alright then," Damon chuckles and shakes his hand.

"That's my sister Katherine and her husband Matt. This is my mom, Miranda. Everyone, this is Damon Salvatore."

"Where's Tyler?" Miranda asks, looking concerned.

"He got delayed. Something about paperwork. He promised he'd be here for the rehearsal," Elena's voice trails off when she catches a glimpse of Carol marching their way.

"Elena, I assume you have a good excuse for standing me up."

"I do."

"Do you mind if I have a word, Carol," Damon interrupts and sidles next to her.

"It's Mrs. Lockwood to you."

"Mrs. Lockwood, Elena wants your approval like any soon-to-be daughter-in-law would. That's why she's been afraid to tell you that she wants to wear her mother's dress. It has history and history's important, right?" Damon explains eloquently.

"Who are you and why am I listening to this high school debate speech?" She snaps, glowering at him.

"I'm nobody."

"As I assumed." Carol wrinkles her nose in disgust and turns to Elena. "If you wanted to wear your mother's dress, why did you say so?"

"I thought I did...I want you to like me," Elena tells her truthfully.

"For heaven's sake, we're going to be family. Besides if you'd rather wear Orlon than Amare Couture, who am I to stop you?" Carol replies conceitedly.

"It's only 30 percent Orlon, the rest is sateen," Miranda interjects, feeling slighted.

"Oh, how reassuring," Carol mocks. "I'm sure you'd like to get cleaned up before Tyler arrives." She looks down her nose at the group of Gilberts before turning on her Stuart Weitzman pumps and walking away.

"I hope I didn't make that worse for you," Damon states with a grimace.

"No, actually, that was the warmest I've ever seen her," Elena reveals, looking a little shocked.

"Yikes!" Damon makes a face.

"I have to run or Santa will be late. It was nice meeting you all," Damon says to Elena's family.

"Before you run off, do you have plans for tonight?"

"Nope!" Damon pops the P.

"Come to the rehearsal dinner," Grayson suggests.

"I appreciate the invite. I'll be there as long as it's okay with Mrs. Lockwood."

"Never mind her. It's more than okay," Elena's mother smiles at him. "And you can call me Miranda."

"Okay, Miranda, thank you. I'll see you this evening." Damon offers before jogging away.

"Mom! What are you doing?"

"Oh, Elena, he's just so charming," Miranda gushes as she watches him depart.


Katherine latches onto Elena's arm, holding her back when their parents and Matt return to the hotel.

"As your sister and bridesmaid, I have to ask...Are you afraid Tyler won't show up or are you worried that he will?"

Elena stares at her blankly for several moments before snapping out of it when she feels Katherine touch her arm.

"I don't have time for this now, Katherine. I'm going to go take a bath and get ready for the rehearsal."


"You know, it's not like Tyler to be late," Carol remarks as maintains a slight distance from the others.

"He's probably just stuck in traffic, Saturday evening and all."

"He's always on time when he has a property to show... Oh, here he is...," Carol's voice cuts off when she sees Damon enter the room wearing a Santa suit.

"Hey, guys. I'm sorry for my attire but there were so many kids today and adults today. When I went to change, the room was locked due to the late hour. Miranda, and Elena, you look lovely. Mrs. Lockwood," Damon turns to her. "Wedding black, how festive."

"Do I know you?" Carol looks at him in disgust.

"We met a few hours ago," Damon informs her.

"Obviously, you failed to make an impression," she dismisses him. "I'll be in my room until Tyler arrives." Picking up her clutch, she marches out of the room.

"She's nice...Where's the groom," Damon asks as he takes a seat.

"He's not here yet."

"All right, people," Comes a barking voice from behind them. "Everybody in their places. Bride and Mr. Lockwood, follow me."

"This isn't Mr. Lockwood," Elena informs him.

"Be that as it may, I have another rehearsal dinner to attend. For a nominal fee, you can hire a stand-in."

"I've got to pay for a pretend groom now?" Grayson asks incredulously.

"I can fill in," Damon offers, waggling his brows at Elena.

"Damon, you don't have to do this."

"As long as I don't have to sign a prenup, I'm good to go."

"People," barks Mr. Edwards. "We've already had the march down the aisle. The bride and groom are accompanied by the harpist. The two of you look at each...in the eyes, not the feet,' he scolds.

"Sorry," Elena looks up to meet Damon's fiery blue eyes.

"We are gathered here together...blah, blah, blah. Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"That sounds nice," Damon returns, looking intently into Elena's deep brown eyes.

"And do you take this man to love, honor, cherish, and all the rest?"

"Yes," Elena says softly.

"Rings?"

"Tyler should have them. They were getting resized."

"I have a ring," Damon offers pulling it off of his pocket.

"No, no," Elena drags out the word while Damon takes her hand.

"It's hand-carved. I picked it up at a flea market jewelry stand." He slides it on her finger. "It's not too tight, is it?"

"No," Elena whispers and her heart squeezes in her chest as she stares at him. Something hits her every time she's with him. It's like they have known each other for years.

"'I now pronounce you...' Then we have music, tears, laughter, and the throwing of the rice or grain of your choice."

"Excuse me, but you forgot to say- you may now kiss the bride," Damon scolds gently.

"Aren't you the stand-in?" Mr. Edward rebukes him.

"I'm just trying to cover all the bases." Damon quips and waggles his brows playfully.

"They'll be covered at the ceremony," Mr. Edwards states succinctly and leaves the room.


"To Marriages," Grayson states as he raises his champagne flute.

"To marriages," Everyone echoes and clicks their glasses together.

"I knew it was Miranda the moment I laid eyes on her."

"So, you two must have a great story," Damon asks Matt as he sets his glass down.

"The best. I've been smitten with Matty Blue since the first glimpse," Katherine gushes and kisses him.

"We were both at a job interview. There was an empty couch and rather than sit on opposite ends, I sat down beside her. Neither of us got the job but we got each other," Matt divulges as he brings Katherine's hand to his mouth and kisses it.

"What about you and Tyler," Damon asks Elena.

"We have worked together, for five years now. We just sort of evolved and that's it."

"That's it?"

"Well, not everyone has a story," Elena defends herself.

"I have a story," Damon refutes.

"You have a story?" Elena eyes Damon suspiciously.

"Yeah, I do. This girl walked into a convenience store. Our hands touched over an aspirin bottle. I had a headache, and she did, too. It was sheer agony at first sight."

A shiver runs through her as she stares at him. His eyes are the blue of water so deep that you're afraid to jump in but are still tempted to.

Damon locks his gaze on Elena.

"She was luminous."


"There you are!" Tyler blows out a breath. "Apologies, what did I miss?"

"Just some food and fake wedding stuff," Elena informs him when he leans over her chair and kisses her cheek before sitting down.

"That's my cue to leave. I wish both of you a lifetime of happiness," Damon tells Elena sincerely and walks out.

"You had Santa at our rehearsal dinner?" Tyler laughs.

"That's Damon, he's the hotel Santa and the groom stand-in. And now that you're here, he's no longer needed."

"I'm sorry I wasn't here," Tyler apologizes sincerely.

Realizing she still has his ring, she blurts out, "I need to give him his ring. I'll be right back." She jumps to her feet and rushes after him.

"Damon," she calls aloud.

"Something wrong?"

"You forgot your ring." She takes it off of her finger.

"No. It's yours. Be happy, Elena." Damon kisses her cheek and leaves her alone with his ring clutched in her hand.


Thank you, everyone. You're the best!

The Pamunkey is a Native American tribe that the Commonwealth of Virginia has recognized since the seventeenth century.

Chapter title: Somewhere Only We Know by Lily Allen.

TQR 24 will come next.

Have a terrific weekend.