The Vampire Diaries: He's The Air She Would Kill To Breathe

Trip Down Memory Lane

July 12th, 1864

My dearest Katherine,

The streets of Washington are deaf with the booms of cannons and firing muskets. This war is getting intense and I can't wait to leave for home...in fact I'm thinking of returning to you early. It's not that I can't handle the battle, I'm man enough for that, I'm sure. However I am too much a gentleman to leave my lady to fend for herself in such dangerous times. The Shenandoah Valley has now been uncovered, but that damned General Hunter fled in the opposite direction than we were expecting, putting Virginia in great danger. I want you to stay inside at all times, understand? If the Yanks march into Mystic Falls I trust that Stefan and Father will be enough to hold down the fort until I return. For now I must go, General Lee has given orders that I probably shouldn't discuss, just know that I'll keep myself safe for you. I hope to be back soon, my love.

Truly Yours,

Damon

I gently stuck the letter in an envelope and had it mailed out, returning to my post. I found several other soldiers outside the base, passing around a flask and singing a tune that had recently become popular with the Rebels. I sat down and joined them, smirking when the flask was passed to me. I loved the taste of alcohol, it soothed my ravaged nerves and I contently joined in the singing.

"From the bright sunny south to the war I was sent, the memories of my boyhood I scarcely have spent. From its cool shady forests and deep flowing streams, ever fond in my memory and sweet in my dreams."

Damon suddenly shot up, realizing he'd been dreaming. He still heard the song, but it was accompanied by music and he wasn't in 1864 anymore. Damon got out of bed, confused. Where was this coming from, and when did he get in bed? The last thing he remembered was Mason pouncing at him. He started to walk toward his bedroom door when he noticed that his old Confederate uniform was lying on a chair in the corner of the room. Elena had done what he'd done to her so many times, having taped a message to it.

"Put it on and come in the kitchen." He put on the nostalgic pieces of clothing, having severe flashbacks as the old him was suddenly staring at him in his mirror. He followed the familiar tune to his kitchen to find his wife wearing something that stopped him dead in his tracks. She was wearing his mother's yellow and white checkered Wrapper, cooking Batter Cakes of all things, no doubt getting the recipe from his mother's old cookbook. He noticed the song was playing from a small CD player she had set up on the counter.

"I didn't know Alison Krauss redid this song..." Was all he could manage to choke out. Elena turned happily to look at him, her free hand resting on her small baby bump.

"You look adorable in your uniform." She said coyly, sticking her spoon in the batter and walking over to run her finger down his chest. He shivered and leaned his forehead against hers.

"Did you do all this for me?" She beamed.

"Of course, Mr. Salvatore. I could feel the emotions radiating through you yesterday, through our bond. You miss it, so I thought I'd bring it back for a little bit. Do...you like it?" She asked shyly, hoping he wasn't mad that she'd gotten all this stuff from the basement. Damon grinned lovingly and pulled her into a rough little kiss that seemed to linger on her lips.

"I love it...and I love you so much." She giggled and ran her fingers through his hair as he kissed her again and spun her around like a princess.

"So would the perfect and utterly sweet Mrs. Salvatore like to explain to her husband how he was being pounced by a werewolf one minute and in his bed the next?" She frowned slightly, sighing and turning to finish up with the Batter Cake.

"You don't remember?" Damon shook his head in concern.

"No..." She scooped the cakes on some plates and then gently cupped Damon's chin with her hand.