Through Rivalry Comes Love

Chapter 21

Elena was pretty sure she could have stayed like she was forever. Leaning against Stefan, with one of his arms around her, sitting by the window and watching the snow continue to swirl around before landing on the ground and coating the already white blanket forming. She sighed contently, loving the way Stefan was twirling strands of her hair around his fingers and then letting them unwind. He had been doing this for the past 20 minutes.

It was almost unreal, how amazing she felt in that moment. "I wish I had met you first" she said quietly, without really thinking before she spoke.

There was silence for a moment before she felt his arm tighten around her and his lips press against her temple. "I wish I had met you first too" he said back. If every day could have been like the present moment, he was pretty sure his life would have been perfect. "What do you want to do for dinner?" he asked, nuzzling his nose against her cheek.

Elena smiled and grabbed his hand with hers. "I don't want to leave this spot" she said, looking up at him and smiling.

"Then we won't" he told her, leaning down slightly to kiss her lips softly. Elena tilted her head back, making it easier for him. "We'll order in" he smiled, kissing her again. Stefan reached over and opened a drawer, pulling out a handful of menus. "These places will deliver I hope" he said, dropping them in her lap.

Elena picked up the first one and examined it. "I kind of feel like pizza I think" Elena said, looking over the pizza options. "That one" she confirmed, pointing at one halfway down the page with a lot of toppings. "And these" she added, pointing at the garlic bread twists. "What do you want?" she asked, realizing she was taking over in the ordering department.

Stefan grabbed the menu from her hands and tossed it aside before pulling her even closer. "You" he whispered against her ear. A smile appeared instantly and she couldn't help but feel silly for how happy he was making her feel right at that moment. "But" he added. "If you're inquiring about the pizza, what you chose is fine by me" he told her.

Elena shook her head and laughed as she sat up suddenly. "I'll go and order it" she said, attempting to get up. His arms locked around her though. "Stefan" she said, trying to pry his arms apart.

"We can order from here" he told her, reaching over her to grab his phone. "What's the number?" he asked. Elena rattled it off and Stefan placed the order. "Should be here in half an hour" he said, setting his phone back down. Then he settled back down into his spot and Elena did the same, letting her body melt back into his so she was comfortable again.

"I might fall asleep in that time" she said, stifling a yawn. Falling down for two hours straight had really taken it out of her.

Stefan kissed the top of her head. "You can take a nap right here with me if you want" he told her, resting his head against hers.

Elena closed her eyes and sighed. "You're good at this" she said quietly.

"Good at what?" he asked, rubbing the top of her hand with his thumb.

"This" she said, grabbing his hand with hers and squeezing it. "Being so attentive. So loving" she told him. "I love feeling ... like you want to be with me" she added. Then, she opened her eyes and looked up at him. "I hope you know I want to be with you, too" she added.

He swore his heart stopped for just a moment as he let her words sink in. "I do now" he said. No one he had dated had ever really been content with just ... being with him. It was nice though, cuddling with her and watching the snow fall.

"Good" Elena sighed, turning her head slightly to get more comfortable.

Stefan closed his own eyes and listened to her breathe.