Because Of You

Chapter 26

Elena's P.O.V.

His eyes are on me and I can feel him, watching as my shaking hands hold onto the necklace that I was given as a little girl. I've been holding onto it since the accident and the day that Katherine had given it to me as a gift, as a reminder of our sisterly bond that we shared.

My eyes feel like they're burning and I quickly notice that I'm crying again. My God, I'm so sick and tired of grieving, of crying over all of this...maybe Stefan's right...this will set me free.

I exhale deeply as I look down at the gray stone and read the words out loud. "Katherine Gilbert 1987-2012. Beloved daughter, sister and mother...you will never be far from our hearts." My heart feels like it's going to explode from the rapid pace that it's moving, I can't breath as I sit down on the grass, across from the tombstone where my sister was laid to rest.

I lean forward on my knees and place the sliver necklace on top of the stone, watching as it reflects and shines from the sun that's hitting down on me. The warmth of it engulfs me and I feel lighter, sitting in silence and tracing my fingers against the engraved words.

"I'm sorry..Katherine, you have no idea how sorry I am for what happened. I'm sorry for taking you away from your daughter. I want you to know that...I want.." My voice cracks as I lower my head and sob, my body is shaking as I feel his arms around me, he's silent as he says nothing and moves strands of my hair from my face. "It's okay, it's okay..she knows...she knows." Stefan says, holding me in his arms as I scoot onto his lap and he kisses my forehead.

"I wasn't going to bother you, but...you seemed too upset and I couldn't watch you sit here alone..." Stefan's voice trails off as I nod my head, I know what he means. He's comforting me and as I latch onto his shoulder and sob into his shirt, I can hear him whisper into my ear "You're doing the right thing, Elena...believe me. I know you're hurting. But, I want you to know that you can talk to me..I'm always here for you. I love you, Elena." He says, taking his hands and lifting up my head with both of them, stroking my cheeks as I look up at him, my eyes are filled with tears as I close them and feel the tears spill over.

Stefan takes his thumbs, gently wiping at each fallen tear as he exhales and speaks softly, turning his attention to Katherine's grave. "I know it's strange and I know that my heart misses you every day. But, it's because of you that I met her. Katherine you brought me the girl that I've been praying for and you and I had a daughter that loves her so much! I miss you Katherine. But, I also want to thank you for bringing me the family that I've always wanted. I promise that our daughter will always know about you. Elena and I will make sure that Lillian knows her mother and loves her just as much as we all do." Stefan says, holding me in his arms as I speak with a shaking voice.

"Thank you, thank you for being my savior. I love you and I'm going to make sure that Lillian knows her. I want our daughter to know her mother, to know that she was funny and kind, sweet and sometimes temperamental person. But that when she loved someone, that she loved them with her whole heart." I say out loud, my eyes flickering from Stefan's sorrowful eyes to my sister's grave stone. He's right, it's because of her that we're together and as much as it's sad that it was under those circumstances, it's also bittersweet.

XXXX

Stefan's P.O.V.

The weeks pass with a quick pace, neither of us discuss the drive up to see Katherine. But, part of me can tell that Elena's doing better. I watch as she brings in a box from the bedroom into the living room as she places it on the ground and exhales deeply. "So, I think that's the last of it. Are the movers at the new house already?" She asks, placing her hands above her head as she exhales deeply and I sit on the couch, bouncing Lillian from one knee to the other as she giggles at me.