Moving On

Chapter 32

Stefan and Elena spent a few days at the lake house. They both missed Arianna but knew that Caroline was taking good care of her. Plus, they didn't know how much time they were going to have to get away so they might as well take advantage while they can. Ever since Stefan proposed to Elena the first night they spent there, she hasn't been able to keep her eyes off of her ring. She loved it so much.

It was their last night at the lake house so Stefan thought that it would be a good idea to watch the sunset on the docks just like they did the first night that they were there. The sun was just starting to set and the sky was illuminated with different colors that were dancing off the lake. Elena was sitting in between Stefan's legs, her back pressed to his chest and her head resting on his shoulder. Stefan had his arms around her, holding her in a tight embrace, and their fingers interlocked. Every so often, Stefan would rub his hand over the top of her hands and when he would feel the ring that he gave her, he felt himself smile.

It was peaceful, being out in the middle of the woods with the girl that he loved, watching the sunset together on the docks by the lake. He couldn't think of any other place that he would rather be. He didn't want to disturb the peaceful bliss that they were in but he missed talking to her. "What are you thinking about, beautiful?" He smiled against her cheek while placing a kiss there.

She loved when he called her beautiful. It made her feel special. "Us. Our future and what our lives are going to be like.

"Oh?" He asked. "How is our future in your mind?" He squeezed her hand.

"Well it's perfect. It's everything that I have ever wanted." She smiled. "We have kids. And Arianna is an amazing older sister. Do you think she'd like to be an older sister?" She asked him.

"I think she'd love that. But are you sure you want to have kids?" He didn't want to pressure her into anything she didn't want, even though he always wanted more. He just didn't think he would ever get the chance to again but now that he has a future with Elena and she's up for it, he was happy.

"Of course. It's what I have wanted for a while now." She told him, turning her head slightly to look at him. He started playing with her ring and she smiled.

"What else are you thinking about?" He asked her, nuzzling his nose against her cheek.

"How I can't wait to be your wife." She smiled when she felt him place a kiss to her cheek and she felt his smile.

"I can't wait for that, either. You will be Mrs. Elena Salvatore." She couldn't help the smile that formed. "I never thought that I would ever have the chance to be happy again." He told her truthfully. "Until you came along and changed all that. And for that, I am grateful. You make me so happy, Elena. I love you." He said into her ear.

"You make me happy, too. And I'm glad that I can give you what you want." She turned to him and placed a kiss on his lips. "And I love you, too." She kissed him again. "When do you want to get married?"

"Whenever you want is fine with me. I just can't wait to make you my wife." She couldn't help the smile that formed. He didn't want a long engagement and was secretly hoping that she didn't want a long one, either.

"I want to get married at the end of the Summer. Is that okay with you?" She looked up at him with hopeful eyes. She really didn't want to wait long to marry him.

"That's fine with me." She smiled at him, happy that he agrees.

"And Arianna can be the flower girl." She said excitedly and she saw his face light up when she said that. "I think she would love to be the flower girl and she would look so cute in a pretty pink dress. And I think a small ceremony will be fine. Just our family and close friends. And we can have it in your back yard." She looked at him again, hopeful.

"That's all fine with me. But there's one thing that needs to be changed if you don't mind." He said, looking into her eyes.

"Of course not. What is it?" She replied, hoping it was nothing bad.

"The wedding will have to be in our back yard." She looked at him in confusion. "You practically live there anyways. So you might as well move the rest of your stuff in."

She smiled and nodded her head. "The wedding will be in our back yard." He smiled at her before cupping her cheeks and pulling her in for a light kiss.

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Even though it was the end of May, after the sun finally set, it started to get chilly out by the lake. Stefan held out his hands to help her up and they walked hand in hand back into the house.

"I'm going to go take a bath." Elena told him and she placed a kiss on his cheek before making her way to the stairs to go get clothes. Stefan locked the doors and the windows just to be on the safe side because even though he felt calm and relaxed out in the woods, you can never be too safe. He also decided to surprise Elena by making her, her favorite meal, chicken parmesan and a garden salad. After that was all prepared, he found a bottle of red wine and poured them each a glass. He set up a small fire just to add to the romantic setting and atmosphere. He lit two candles after he placed them on the table.

By the time he heard the bathroom door open, everything was prepared and dished out. When she came down the stairs, he noticed her hair was still wet and there were still tiny droplets of water on her skin. She was wearing pajama shorts and one of his t-shirts and he thought that she still looked beautiful. She was glowing.

When she noticed the fire, the candles, and the dinner, she couldn't help the tears that formed in her eyes and fell. Thinking that he did something wrong, he went over to her and wrapped her in his embrace trying to soothe her. "Don't cry, baby." He said quietly.

She cried for a minute or so before she was finally able to speak. "I'm just happy. I'm so happy." She said sniffling. "You are so great to me and I never know what to do for you." He cupped her face and wiped away the remaining tears.

"I don't expect you to do anything. Just loving me and Arianna is enough." She smiled before pulling him into her and giving him a kiss. After pulling away, he rested his forehead against hers and grabbed her hands. "I promise you, knowing how much you love me and Arianna is enough for me." She smiled and kissed him again. "I hope you're hungry. I made your favorite."

"Chicken parmesan?" She asked happily. He nodded his head and lead the way to the table, pulling out her chair for her and pushing her in after she was settled. After he was settled, they started to eat.

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They were lying on the floor under blankets, Elena's head was on his chest and she was drawing circles wherever she could. Stefan had his arm draped around her back, lightly playing with her hair. Every so often, he would place kisses on the top of her head. They were near the slowly dying fire, watching it go out. "What are you thinking about?" She asked him.

"You." He told her, making her blush. "And our wedding day. Where do you want to go for our Honeymoon?" She rolled over so she was laying on top of him and rested her chin on top of her hands.

"You let me decide everything else. You can decide where we go for our Honeymoon." She said with a slight twinkle in her eyes.

"Hmm," He said pondering. "I'm thinking Paris." Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. He had a feeling that's where she was hoping he would say. Truthfully, to him, it didn't matter. The only thing that did matter was that she would be by his side.

"I've always wanted to go there." She said excitedly. "And going there for our Honeymoon is going to make it that much more special." She said happily.

"A special place for a special girl." He said smiling.

"Thank you for picking Paris." She said with a huge smile.

"You're welcome." He placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. She was happy and that's all that mattered to him.

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