Remember Me

Chapter Six

A/N: Enjoy all and thanks so much for reading. :)

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Remember Me- Chapter Six

"What have the last few years been like for me?" Elena took a deep breath, placing her hands into her lap as she looked out towards the front lawn, smiling at all the roses that she pictured Audrey planting in front of the home that her and Stefan shared together. She couldn't be in the same room beside him. But, she could be here with him. It was safer. They weren't sitting too close to each other, yet she could still feel his eyes on her as she spoke in a soft tone.

"They've been hard. After I left you and Ben, I was a mess. Stefan," She paused, turning her head towards him for a brief second to explain further. But, Elena stopped herself. Because how could she ever explain what was really going on in her mind? How could she explain how broken she felt? He'd probably never understand.

"Hey," Stefan paused, placing his hand on top of hers as they sat down on a bench in the front lawn. Audrey wasn't home for another two hours and it was nice, sitting with Elena like this. It was familiar.

"I forgive you, alright? And, I understand because I was a wreck for a long time after you walked out the door. Believe me, Elena. I don't ever want you or I to feel like that again." He told her, gripping on to her hand and exhaling heavily as they sat in silence for a long time.

Finally, Elena spoke. "She makes you happy, I can tell." The space between them was closing in as she leaned her head against his shoulder and he held on to her hand still, not wanting to lose the warmth of her fingertips curled into his palm.

"I'm sorry if my being with her upsets you. I just..." His voice broke, clearing it and opening his mouth again to start over. Stefan wanted to explain. "I tried raising Ben alone for so long that I'd forgotten what it was like to be around people my own age. It was just Ben and I almost every day and every night for the last few years. Damon and Katherine were getting sick of me being alone. So, then Audrey happened."

Stefan turned his head towards Elena and gave her a weakened smile. "I wasn't even looking for her, Elena. I didn't mean to fall in love with her because for so long I had been in love with you." He added on, releasing her hand as she bit down on her lower lip and glanced away from him, turning her back to him. "I loved you so damn much. But, you left me. You left me broken, bruised and battered. Elena, you left me when all I ever wanted to do was give you and our son the whole damn world." Stefan told her with pure honesty, watching her body tense up as she sniffled and then Stefan watched as Elena jumped up from her seat, crossing her arms over her chest and with tears in her eyes, she stared at him.

"I couldn't understand how you could love me after everything I had done to you? All those times I had tried to push you away and you still came back. It was you, Stefan. It was you who changed my life and made me a better person. I wanted to be good for you. I wanted our whole lives to be full of endless possibilities and for our son to grow up knowing how much we loved him." Her body was trembling as the tears cascaded down her cheeks. Stefan stood up promptly, maybe it was more so out of habit than anything else. But, his hands were on her face, wiping away the tears as he stood in front of her.

"I can't love you anymore. Not the way that I once did." His heart broke, even though he knew that she was right. They weren't the same they had been all those years ago. Time had changed things and it had certainly changed them. He leaned in without saying a word, leaving a light kiss on her forehead.

"I know. We put each other through hell and I'm sorry too. So, you're right. We can't love each other the way we used too. But, we can still be friends. Best friends, even. For the sake our son." He said, watching as she nodded and then fell into him, sobbing.