PLS DONT READ THIS IT ONLY FOR ME THANK YOU

LOVE STORY 2

Elena and Elijah sat together on his couch, watching the flames in the fireplace crackle and jump, setting an ethereal atmosphere in the room. It was cozy and romantic. Elena leaned into Elijah's shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her as she sipped her hot chocolate. Everything was falling into place, thought Elena, admiring the silver band on her finger. Elijah noticed her looking at it and smiled. She was just as thrilled as he was and that made everything worthwhile. Despite the trials and tribulations of his transformation, he'd do it all again if it meant keeping the woman he loved. Elena meant the world to him, and he'd show it anyway he could, whether that was a ring on her finger, keeping her safe from violent exes, or just sitting with her in the quiet.

She looked up at him, surprising him with a small kiss. "I couldn't imagine a better way to spend Christmas eve," she whispered, not wanting to ruin the moment by speaking at normal volume.

"Nor could I," he replied, running his fingers through her hair lightly, twisting the ends.

At the mention of Christmas, they both admired the four foot Christmas tree they'd decorated a week earlier.

"Oh boy," laughed Elena, walking through the door after school, "I think you forgot something."

Elijah turned, his arms laden with very beautiful, verybreakable ornaments. "What?" he asked in exasperation. "I wanted to have it finished by the time you got home, but I'm quite out of practice when it comes to holiday decorations."

Elena smiled, settling for a kiss on the cheek, as his hands were full. "Well, first of all, it looks like you forgot to use lights on the bottom half of the tree." Sure enough, it looked as though Elijah had used all the lights on the top and left the bottom bare.

"I was going to cover that up with garland," he muttered.

"It's fine," she giggled, "but let me help you."

Less than an hour later, Elena had rectified the lighting situation, wrapped the small, white tree in silver, glistening garland, and she and Elijah had set about decorating the tree with various shades of blue and silver ornaments. She told him where to put them so the spacing didn't look strange, and by the time they were finished, everything was perfect.

"Just the star left," she smiled, gasping when Elijah lifted her up so she could reach the top of the tree, as it was set up on a round, wooden table. They both stepped back to admire their handiwork.

"You did a beautiful job," Elena said as Elijah turned the lights on.

"Only after you came home," he laughed, pulling Elena into his warm, protective arms.

"So," Elena began, "can I open one of my presents?"

Elijah laughed. "I don't think so. Aren't you supposed to wait for Christmas morning?"

She sighed. "Well, you're no fun."

"Oh, I'm no fun, am I?" challenged Elijah, setting Elena's mug down on the table and pressing his lips to hers.

When they broke apart – it could have been after New Year's for all Elena knew – Elena blushed.

"Well, I guess you're a little fun."

Elijah turned over in bed to find Elena, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, looking at him with a huge smile plastered on her face. After rubbing his sleepy eyes, he looked back to her, deciding that, no, this wasn't a dream, and Elena was actually awake before six o'clock in the morning.

"Morning, sleepyhead," she smiled as Elijah leaned over to kiss her forehead.

"How long have you been awake?" he asked groggily.