The Second Life Of Stella Salvatore

No Time For Grieving

~Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I just started college and it's been crazy trying to find some free time. I promise you all I haven't quit. I just might take longer to update. Well I think this book will be coming to an end soon. I'll keep you posted on that and on what my next work will be. I'll give you a hint: It's going to be a kind of prequel to this series. -Lanabug1864~

Damon's POV:

The small white open casket stood solemnly in front of the church alter and podium. Behind the podium stood Elena who was clutching Ivy's little stuffed bear and trying hard to keep a steady voice while telling a story. Tears were trailing endlessly down her face and she looked down instead of up at the many sorrowful eyes that were watching her. "S-She insisted on trying on a pair of shoes too. And even though the heels were way too big, she still was smiling and parading down the aisles and - and - " Elena lost it and broke down in front of the entire church.

Stefan and I both got up from our chairs in the front row and made our way up to the podium. Stefan tenderly put an arm around Elena, taking her back to her seat, while I took Elena's place up front. I made sure my wife was okay and saw Stefan hugging her and stroking her hair. Stefan and I had both learned that stroking her hair always calmed her down. My attention went to the many pairs of eyes that were now staring at me. I looked into the crowd and saw many friends and all of the Council. Gabriel was even sitting out there.

I cleared my throat and dropped my gaze to the pure white coffin and the small empty shell of my daughter that laid within it. "Ivy asked me a question before she passed away. She asked me,'Daddy? Am I gonna die?'. I didn't know what to tell her. I didn't want her to be afraid of what was going to happen. How could you tell your small child that she wouldn't get to have another birthday? That she wouldn't get to go to her first day of school? Or meet her niece or nephew? Learn to ride a bike? How to read and write? Go to her first school dance or prom? How could you tell her that she wouldn't get to walk down the aisle with me at her wedding? I just couldn't do it. So I lied. I lied and told her that she wasn't going to die. In the end, she wasn't scared. And I'm glad for that. I'm glad she didn't have to suffer. I remember this one afternoon in the summer when I was sitting in the living room reading my favorite book. Ivy crawled into the middle of my lap and asked me what I was reading. I told her the title and she asked me if I would read some of it to her. We sat in that chair for the next couple of hours reading that book. It's moments like those that I'm going to cherish and remember. My newborn son is going to grow up hearing about how beautiful and smart and funny his big sister was. Most of all, he'll hear about how much she loved him." I looked back over at the coffin. "You might be gone from this world, Baby Girl, but your memory will live on forever in our hearts and in our home." My voice dropped to a soft whisper so only my little girl could hear the next few words. "Daddy loves you, Princess."

I looked back out into the crowd and movement in the back caught my attention. Standing in the very back of the church was a gray haired gentleman in a black suit and tie. I could feel my heart stop when he looked back at me and smirked. No. It couldn't be. It wasn't possible. I was brought out of my frozen state by Little Gilbert who had put his hand on my shoulder.

"You okay?" He whispered.

I didn't answer him. Instead, my gaze went right back to the spot where the man had been standing. He was no longer there. Had I been seeing things? Yeah. It was the only explanation. It had to be. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay," I finally said. I looked back at the back one more time just in case and it was still empty. I followed Jeremy back down to our seats and sat down beside Elena who immediately let go of Stefan and clung to me. I wrapped my arms around her and stroked her hair as she nuzzled her head against my neck.

The funeral progressed to the Salvatore family crypt where we ended things with a private family and friends burial. Ivy was placed into the crypt with Adrian, my half brother, where they will rest for eternity. Katherine was put in here along with Lexi not too long ago. Stefan had two epics loves and both of them were ripped away from him. If anyone deserved happiness, it was Stefan. Elena laid a rose over the casket before it was sealed by the stone that would soon have Ivy's name carved into it.