The Second Life Of Stella Salvatore

Forever Soulmates

Elena's POV:

I remembered everything now. I remembered it all. When I came to my senses again from the overpowering rush of memories, Damon was hugging me. I was surprised to hear a sob escape from him. He was crying? I wrapped my arms around his neck and felt warm drops fall on my skin. His hand was stroking my hair while his other one was around my waist. The baby was kicking excitedly. Like he or she could sense his or her daddy was right there.

I gently pulled away from Damon to look at him and saw that I was right. Damon was crying. Glistening tears ran down his face as he smiled at me. I reached up and wiped his tears away as I grinned. "What happened to you? It's like you've gone super soft or something."

He laughed and tried to get control of himself. "I don't care if I've gone soft. I'm just so happy to have you - the real you - back. I missed you. I missed you so much I was going insane. Stella was the one who made sure I was okay."

I kissed him again softly and I could feel the relief coming off of him in waves. He had been through so much and I was surprised that he hadn't turned his humanity off. All that pain... Why didn't he? "You don't have to worry about anything anymore. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. I promise you that. I love you, Damon Salvatore."

"I love you too, Mrs. Salvatore. I always have since I laid eyes on you." I smiled and leaned up, kissing him again. It felt so good to finally be able to touch him and feel him and have him see me again. All I wanted in that moment was for the kiss to never end. I pulled away with a smile bigger than before. "Is it okay if I ask to take you to Meredith for a check up to make sure you and the baby are okay?"

"It's perfectly okay. I was wanting to anyway."

Damon's smile grew as he took my hand and led me back to his car. We got in and I caught him sending a quick text to someone before he cranked the engine and got back on the road. Damon fiddled with the radio until he found one of his favorite songs, but he didn't blast it like he usually would. It was just loud enough to be heard as a background song. Even so, he still sang along under his breath and I smiled again when he took one hand off of the steering wheel and took mine; linking our fingers in the process. Our linked hands now rested on the arm rest between us.

I knew he couldn't stop touching me, like he was making sure I was real and still there sitting beside him. And frankly, I didn't want to stop touching him either. The nightmare was over. I thought. But my mind reminded me of what the Travelers had told me. In order for me to stay here permanently, I had to kill someone. But not just anyone. My daughter's boyfriend and Klaus's son.

Stella's POV:

I was walking out to my car after school when I heard my phone dinging telling me I had a text. I did the usual dance routine I had to do to get it out of my backpack and then unlocked my phone. It was from my father.

Daddy: Mom's memories are back! Taking her to Meredith for a check up. Should take a while. Wanting to give her a surprise dinner to come home to, which you and your brother are going to make while I keep Mom distracted. Let Ivy help. Love you. Will be home soon.

I saw that he had sent the message as a group message so Damian would get it too. I saw the little talk bubble pop up as someone typed then a message from Damian appeared.

Damian: I have football practice.

Me: Skip it. Mom is more important than some stupid sport.

Damian: Football is not stupid. Right, Dad?

Daddy: Quit fighting and get your asses to the house. Now.