As she finished putting her holly earrings on, Elena stepped back to examine herself in the mirror.
She wore a red dress that hugged her curves perfectly, stopping only just above her knees.
She kept telling herself that all of this- the smoky eye makeup, the slightly curled hair, the tight dress- wasn't for Damon's benefit. That it was just because Christmas was a special occasion… Right?
She couldn't do that to Stefan-
Why the hell not? A demanding voice inside her head asked.
It's not like you're dating anymore, he left you to go off on a rampage with Klaus!
She sighed and tried to focus on Stefan, his green eyes- they were green, right?
Oh my goodness, I forgot my boyfriend's name! She thought to herself, slapping her forehead.
She wasn't supposed to be thinking about Stefan on Christmas! She was supposed to be thinking about happier things like Damon and- NO! Not Damon, people in general… Friends in general!
She cleared her thoughts and rushed to her closet, picking out a pair of mesh leggings along with red ballet flats that had mini bells attached to them.
She slipped them both on quickly and grabbed her phone just as it vibrated with a message from Caroline.
Hey, me, Tyler, Bon, Jer are here. Alaric and Damon are in the kitchen, where r u?
Elena typed her reply and sent it.
I'm on my way.
The reminder that Damon was going to be there made her feel a rush of excitement. She couldn't help it; she really did want to see him.
So? What are you wearing?
Elena laughed at Caroline's not-so-subtleness, before replying.
You'll have to wait and see…
Elena closed the front door as she walked to her car, hopping in and buckling her seatbelt in.
-_- I'm not amused. Oh well, I just know it'll make Damon's jaw drop.
Her eyes widened in amusement at Caroline's reply, it was like she was psychic!
She didn't bother replying as she started the car and took off towards the boarding house.
****Delena****
Elena walked to the front door of the boarding house, her nerves picking up now and her heart racing. She didn't know why she was so nervous, she saw all these people every day!
Okay, that was a lie; she did know why she was so nervous. She was nervous to see Damon's reaction. What if he didn't like the dress?
Too late for that! She thought to herself as she stood on the porch.
The door opened before she could knock and Elena, thinking it would be Damon, she was surprised to see Caroline standing there in a gold dress with bells at the bottom. It stopped just above her knees.
"Merry Christmas! " exclaimed Caroline, capturing Elena in a tight hug.
Elena grinned and replied, "You too, nice outfit. "
"I'm glad you like it! Damon told me I look like an elf. " replied Caroline, walking back inside with Elena behind her.
"You told me to tell you the truth! " a voice shouted from the kitchen.
Elena grinned at the sound of his voice, then stopped at Caroline's raised eyebrow.
What? Elena mouthed to Caroline, making it clear to her that she didn't want Damon hearing them.
Damon! Caroline mouthed back to her.
Elena sighed and shook her head, ending the conversation then and there.
The sound of Tyler's voice calling her made Caroline speed away, leaving Elena alone in the hall.
She walked to the lounge room to find Alaric standing on a ladder with Bonnie standing at the bottom, holding it, while she gave him directions to hang what looked like mistletoe.
Jeremy was sitting down, playing some shooting game while Caroline was sitting on the back of the chair, watching him. She could hear Tyler and Damon laughing about something in the kitchen.
Before Bonnie could spot her, she made her way to the kitchen. She just wanted to see Damon, was that so bad?
She smiled at the sight of Tyler wearing a Santa hat and Damon stirring something in a pot on the stove.
Tyler shook his head and replied to something that she hadn't heard Damon say, "Then you're an idiot! "
Damon chuckled, "Oh I'm the idiot? You're the one wearing the Santa hat! "
She chuckled at Damon's remark, capturing the attention of both Tyler and Damon. She wished she had a camera. Damon's expression was priceless but it didn't last long after he hid his expression.
Tyler made a quick escape by hugging Elena and wishing her a merry Christmas, walking out of the room before anything else could happen.
Damon sat the towel on his shoulder, drawing Elena's attention to Damon's tight, green V-neck shirt that accentuated his toned chest oh-so-well.
"Wow… I'm not gonna sugar-coat it. You look amazing. " said Damon, leaning closer to her and lightly kissing her cheek.
She took a deep breath in and tried to control herself from moving slightly to the left to meet his lips.
"Merry Christmas, kitten. " said Damon, lingering closer to her longer than he should have.
She had to fight all her emotions to keep her eyes on his eyes instead of his lips.
Damon moved away from her to return to the saucepan on the stove, adding some herbs and stirring some more.
"NO! " came ALL the voices in the living room.
Elena frowned, questioningly at Damon who answered, "Jeremy just died on Dead Island. "
Elena laughed, sitting on the island in the middle of the kitchen.
Damon turned with a spoon full of whatever it was on the stove and gestured for her to taste it.
She was taken aback for a moment but soon opened her mouth to taste Damon's invention.
Her eyes widened at the taste, "Oh my- Damon, this is amazing! " she exclaimed, grinning.
"Thank you, here, have some more. " said Damon, picking up another spoonful and giving it to her.
She tasted it and closed her eyes, it really was amazing.
"Okay, can you come home with me and cook every night? " she joked and he smirked.
"You had me at 'can you come home with me'. " replied Damon, turning around and putting the stove on low.
He turned back to her and asked, "So, are you ready to celebrate Christmas? "
She smiled lightly at him, "I guess so. "
He gestured in front of him, "You first. "
She smiled and walked to the kitchen door before she felt him tap on her shoulder.
She turned and raised her eyebrow questioningly, "Yes? "
He took her hand in his and gently kissed it, "You really do look stunning. "
"Thank you, you look quite good yourself. " she replied, smiling shyly.
He smirked, "Of course I do. "