Forever Is Not Enough

Valentine

1939 - Memphis, Tennessee

"Take the roses downstairs. I want each of the girls to have a few to hand out."

Elena smiled, allowing safe passage to the delivery boy into the lower confines of The Moonstone. He smiled blandly back at her, the compulsion obvious in his eyes. He would not remember a thing.

Just as the door closed behind him, the other opened, Damon striding into the office with a secretive smile on his face. Elena stood to greet him, leaning across her desk to kiss him on the cheek before he sat across from her. "Happy Valentine's Day," he greeted.

She grimaced, a little annoyed. "The cost of roses went up this year," she said, marking something down in the book in front of her.

He shrugged, "It's nothing we can't handle."

"I don't know why you insist on handing them out."

"We mark it with the scent of human blood and place a barrel of roses outside of Tom's shop. Any vampire wouldn't be able to resist."

She rolled her eyes, "It doesn't bring in as many clients as you think."

He leaned forward in his seat. "Is something else bothering you?"

For a moment, she thought not to say anything. She looked up through her eyelashes at Damon, his earnest face compelling the words from her mouth. "Dr. Honeycutt is-"

"Demanding, vain, condescending..."

Her mouth set in a stern line. "Yes."

"Have you ever met a vampire who was not any of those things?"

She laughed a little. "I suppose not."

"He brings a lot of money in," he reasoned.

"I know, and he's Caroline's... friend, I suppose."

"So what is so horrible about him?"

"He's asked Rebekah to come live with him for the time being."

"Not unheard of. You are against it?"

She gritted her teeth in irritation. "I cannot deny him. I've made it clear to the girls that they are free to go as they please, but... Caroline. What if she is angry with me for allowing it?"

"Then she will be angry."

"Very helpful," she said, her lower lip protruding glumly.

"Don't worry yourself," he stood to pour them both a drink. "You've told me of Caroline's mate, her true mate. Surely Matthew was only meant to be a pet of some sort. I doubt she will be truly upset."

"I suppose," she said, taking the glass from his hand.

"Let us forget about it. If Caroline is angry, then she can take it up with Matthew."

Elena nodded, rubbing her thumb across the cool condensation on the glass.

"I have a gift for you," Damon said, hoping to bring her out of this mood.

"Oh?"

"I won't give it to you just yet."

"Oh."

Damon chuckled, finishing his drink and rising to his feet. "You are going to love it."

* * *

Your present is awaiting you at home.

I will meet you there.

Happy Valentine's Day,

D.