Forever Is Not Enough

Good News

Mystic Falls, Virginia

Elena shifted uncomfortably at the dinner table. The ugly yellow fabric of her dress was too loose on her arms and too thick at her torso. She wriggled in an attempt to relieve the chafed skin under her arms, but it only made it worse. Some of the wives of the Council – that's what they called themselves now, the Founder's Council – had donated dresses they no longer wanted to the poor homeless women of the Gilbert estate. John and Jeremy also wore ill-fitting clothes, borrowed from Stefan and Damon's closets, no doubt. John had spent the last few days frantically trying to salvage whatever was left of the rubble, ensuring that the Gilbert's finances were in order, and making plans to rebuild the main house. He'd done all of this from his bed, only leaving for meals. It made him meaner than before. Jeremy spent his days moping; all the trinkets and memories of his mother and father were gone. They were all gone, every single piece of them. Katherine was using all of her time and energy ensuring Stefan kept a respectable distance in the light of day, and that wasn't easy. As her family went through all of this, Elena could only think about one thing. Why are these clothes so damned uncomfortable?

Katherine placed a hand on her shoulder so she would be still, but kept her eyes on John. "It's as if they have never built anything before!" he exclaimed.

Giuseppe set his drink down. "Well, how long do they think it will take?"

"The man I spoke to couldn't say. I told him he should have it figured out before spring ends."

"Well, you're always welcome in my home."

John smiled, raising his glass. "You've been a savior to us."

Giuseppe tipped his head, "It is nothing." He looked to Elena who was still squirming. "Now, when are you girls planning on getting new dresses?"

"Elena and I have a fitting tomorrow," Katherine said. "Honoria Fell promised entirely new wardrobes at an honest price."

John snorted, finishing his drink. "We'll be lucky if we can even afford a house after she's done with us."

Elena ducked her head apologetically, but Katherine held her ground. "I've offered to pay, John. You can still accept."

"Nonsense. I can't let a lady go bankrupt over some silly dresses."

She felt heat rise in her cheeks and willed herself not to roll her eyes.

Sensing the tension, Giuseppe stood. "May I have your attention, everyone? Yes, good. I'm afraid I forgot to mention the good news to you all. He raised a hand towards Damon, "Stand up, son." Stefan shifted uncomfortably. His father had called his brother a lot of things, but "son" was not usually one of them. Elena looked up to Damon who stood up beside her; he too looked uncomfortable. "Go on, tell them."

Damon looked guiltily down at Elena, but she smiled to comfort him. He hadn't planned on telling her like this. "I-I... I wasn't planning on having it come out like this."

"Spit it out," his father growled.

"I'll be leaving for the war soon," he finally announced. "I'll be joining the Confederacy within the month."

His father let out a delighted chuckle, "Isn't it wonderful?"

Elena's eyes darkened and she tried to mask the horror on her face, only offering an awkward grimace. She felt acid rise up in her throat and stiffened as though she would crawl out of her skin. She'd heard so many stories of men leaving and never returning. How could he leave now? If there was any announcement he needed to make, it was of their engagement, which hadn't happened either. Now he was deserting her. Her chair groaned as she slid it across the floor, "Please excuse me. I'm not feeling well."

Damon looked to his father who only glared defiantly back. The tension was thick in the air. "I should go check on the lady," he sighed. "Excuse me."

He found Elena sitting on the bed in her current room, tears streaming down her face and her skirts billowing around her. She smiled sadly at him. "I'm sorry I left in the midst of your good news."

"You think it's good news?"

"Of course. Soldiers bring great honor to their families back home. It is an honor to have even known your courage."

"You speak as though I am already dead."

"Aren't you?"

He frowned, "I had no choice."

"Aren't you a man?" she seethed, ripping herself from his side. "Don't you have any say in your own life?"

He shook his head, "As much say as you do, my lady."

"How can you leave me here alone? I'll have no one."

"You have your brother."

"There is talk of a betrothal between him and Victoria Donavan. Next year he'll be old enough to enlist as well, and then what?"

"You have Katherine."

"I know her about as well as my uncle, and I barely know him."

"I'll write to you."

She was pacing back and forth now, her tears coming from anger. "My dearest Elena," she mocked. "I had my arm blown off on the battlefield today, but there is no need to fret; I still have my writing hand."

"You're being morbid."

"Good news though," she continued as if she hadn't heard him. "My lieutenant says that the infection will kill me off long before a union soldier can, so at least I'll die with a morsel of dignity."

At that, he stood, grabbing her by the shoulders. She struggled against him, but he was far too strong for her to escape. She was sobbing now. "Elena," he whispered. "Elena, please listen." She was slamming her fists into his chest, the thought of losing him becoming too much to bear. He'd run in to a burning building to save her uncle, so how could he so carelessly throw his own life away? And for nothing? When she'd finally given up, he pulled her into his chest, running his fingers through her curly hair. "I promise to come back. Do you hear me? I won't be gone forever."