A Century's Love

Chapter 5: Madelyn

I rolled over in bed, Damon's sleeping figure next to me. He looked peaceful. "Staring is rude, love," he said, voice raspy from sleep. "Good morning," I said. "Good morning," he said, kissing my bare shoulder. "We should be dressing for breakfast," I said, slipping my corset over my bare top. "Do you mind helping with the laces?" I asked, looking over at surprised Damon. "I will not bite," I teased.

He got off the bed, slipping on yesterday's pair of pants and helping me with my corset laces. I moved my hair as he pressed a gentle kiss to the side of my neck. "You are so beautiful," he murmured. "And we are very late for breakfast," I said, gathering my skirt in my hands. "I want to ask you something," he said, stopping me from leaving his room. I nodded, awaiting his question.

"The time is unconventional and not appropriate, I am aware of that. But will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" he asked. I stood there, frozen for a second before answering his question with a smile. "I would like nothing more than to become your wife," I said. He kissed me softly, pulling away with a smile. "I have a ring for you," he said softly, pulling a small box out of the drawer of his desk. It was simple yet beautiful. "It was my grandmother's." he said, slipping it on my left ring finger. "It's beautiful," I said, looking up at his blue eyes which held so much love.

A knock came from the door. "Come in," Damon said. "Miss Grant, Miss Pierce is waiting for you," Hattie said. "Please tell her I will be only a moment more," I said, fixing a loose strand of hair that had fallen out of a pin. She nodded, a smile on her face before she closed the door. I gave Damon one more kiss before saying, "I will meet you at breakfast,"

**&**

"They are getting closer each day," Pearl told us. "Can you stall them any longer?" I asked. I was at Pearl's estate with Katherine, both terrified of the future. The vampire hunters were getting closer with each passing day and the ladies in front of me were terrified. "There is nothing we can do, by the end of the week, we will be found out and killed," Katherine said. I had never seen her scared but this was taking a toll on her.

"Have you talked to Stefan?" Pearl asked. "About what?" I asked, confused. "He wants to be turned," Katherine said. "And I will be the one to turn him," she added. "Katherine," I started. "He wants this, and who am I to deny him something he wants," she said. "This is ridiculous," I stated. "I never said you had to become one yourself, Madelyn. That is your own choice," she said cooly. I shook my head. "What has Damon said in regards to that?" I asked, gently referring to my now fiance. "He has no part in the vampire business, but Stefan wants him to be turned as well," she said. Pearl gasped. "Damon will certainly resent his brother if that is how he chooses to spend his eternity," she said. "He will certainly make it an eternity of misery," I said. "Enough talk about vampires," Pearl said. "I heard you are betrothed," she said, smiling.

"Indeed," I said, not containing my smile any longer. "You must invite me to the wedding," she said. "I will, you have been nothing but a good friend to me," I said, clasping her hands in mine. "And I will be your matron of honor," Katherine teased. "You shall," I said, hugging her gently. We talked about the impending wedding, it was to happen when the war ended, when Anna ran into the room. "Mother, the roundup had started," she said, a panicked look on her face.

"You must leave now," I told my friends. "We must surrender," Pearl said. "Are you insane? They will kill you!" I exclaimed. "I have been killed once before," she said simply. " I will not allow you to be killed again," I told her. "Even if I am killed myself," I said.

"You are brave, such a sweet and pure human, but we must do this ourselves," Katherine said, gently kissing my cheek. "I will see you one day if you escape," I said, making a promise to myself that I would find them one day. Pearl hugged me. "It was a pleasure to meet you dear," she said. I gave her a sad smile before she disappeared. I took a carriage back to the Salvatore house, my hands shaking and my heart pounding. I was going to be killed just like them for being a supporter.

"How was your visit?" Damon asked, pressing a kiss to my head. "Pleasant," I said. "You talked about the wedding," he teased. "They are very excited for us," I said. "We should have a toast tonight," Katherine said, walking up to us. "That sounds agreeable," Stefan said.

Hours later, we were seated at the dinner table, Mister Salvatore nowhere to be seen. "Where's Father?" Stefan asked. "I have not seen him since breakfast," Damon said. I shook off the impending feeling of dread and tried to enjoy dinner with my friends and fiance. "I am going to check Father's study," Damon said, after taking the final sip of his wine.

"I will go check the barn," Stefan said. A loud cry was heard from outside after the brothers disappeared.  "I have to leave tonight," Katherine said. I nodded. "I know," I said. "I slipped some of my blood into their drinks," she stated. "Katherine, you will be caught," I said. She shook her head, saying, "I will be gone before they complete their transition if they die with my blood inside of them," she said, standing up. I gave her a hug, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "We will meet again in another life," I said sadly.

**&**

I had heard the news that Damon and Stefan had been killed. If it had been within the day that Katherine disappeared, they would have been turned. But I would never know because he wasn't here, I was all alone. Speaking of alone, I had found myself with child. I was angry, at myself, at Damon for dying, and that I was doing this alone. After my 20th birthday, I moved away from Mystic Falls, landing in a small town in New York. Pearl had somehow escaped, joining me in the small house that I was inhabiting.

Our story was simple. My husband had died in the war, Pearl's as well. She took me in to help me now that I was bearing a child. But nothing would be the same, not for the rest of my life. "Pearl?" I called through the small house. "Are you alright?" she asked softly, placing a hand on my forehead. "I think the baby is going to arrive soon," I said.

She scanned my body, her brow furrowed in thought. "I think you are correct," she stated. "I will get the midwife," she said, hurrying out of the room. A wave of pain hit my body and I cried out. I doubted I was going to survive this. Perhaps I would see Damon on the other side, tell him about the child we had together. Pearl would find a suitable home for our child in my absence.

The midwife came and before long I was in labor. I have never experienced more pain in my life, so strong and intense. Pearl stuck her wrist to my mouth. "Drink. You need enough strength and you need to heal," she said. "I don't think I will be able to do this much longer." I told her, my head spinning.

"Almost there, Miss Grant," the midwife said. My entire body shook, but when I heard the cry of my baby, it was all worth it. "A girl Miss Grant," the midwife said, smiling as she wiped my daughter down. I held her close as the world faded away. "Lillian Grace Grant," I murmured. "Help her, help her create her own legacy," I whispered as the world went dark and my body stilled.