For those of you who celebrate, I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

'Swallowing thickly, I drop my eyes, staring at my now shaky hands. When I feel his hands cup either side of my face, our eyes meet just before he joins his lips to mine'.

"I have missed you," he says, pulling me into his arms. I feel him press a kiss to the crown of my head before he releases me. Our reverie is broken when I hear Jeremy clear his throat.

"Anna and I will just be in the other room." I look up just as he takes Anna's hand, pulling her out of the kitchen with him. Taking a breath, I step away from Damon to make myself a cup of coffee.

"Do you want one?"

"Sure, I'll just check the turkey while you're doing that." After giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze, he walks over to the oven. As soon as he slips on a pair of oven mitts, he opens the door and pulls the roaster out. He lifts the lid off before picking up the baster. Once it's in his hand, he uses it to baste the turkey several times then replaces the lid and puts the bird back into the oven. I lean my backside against the counter while crossing my arms over my chest as I watch him. When the upper oven timer alarms, he opens that door to check on what I can see are pumpkin pies.

"It looks like the three of you have been busy." Turning back around, I reach into the cupboard for a mug to pour myself a cup of coffee. After taking a sip, I raise my eyes to his.

"What about the cookies, we need to finish them don't we?"

"We do indeed. You want to help?"

"Sure."

Damon rolls out the dough while I use the cookie cutters. Carefully I lift up them with a spatula and drop them onto a baking pan. After Damon takes the pies out of the oven, he takes the cookie sheets from me, sliding them into the oven to bake. He takes a moment to set the timer then we do it all over again. When the last of the cookies are baking in the oven, Damon takes my hand, leading me to take a seat at the kitchen table.

"I don't know where to start Elena. I have dreamed about this moment for so long. You have consumed me since that night. I just didn't know how to approach you especially since you don't remember what happened."

"I remember everything about that night."

"You do?"

"I do, I remember how you left me naked and alone in that bed after I gave you my..."

"I know. You don't know how many times I've played that night over in my mind wishing that I could have a do over." Reaching over, he takes my hands in his, bringing them up to press a kiss to my knuckles.

"You're so beautiful, Elena," he says softly, pausing for a moment.

"I'm not going to lie to you. If we're to have something we need to be honest with each other. To put it simply, I panicked. You made me feel so much, I felt a connection to you on a level much deeper than anything I've ever experienced before. All of these new and wonderful and yes, scary feelings were fluttering on my insides, my palms were clammy, the whole nine yards." He eyes are full of sincerity as they peer into mine.

"And sure, I've been with other women but I never felt such a visceral sense of belonging like I did with you. Feelings were erupting and I didn't want to face what they meant so I ran like a scared rabbit. Please forgive me," he implores, raising my fingers to his lips again, making me smile when he kisses each knuckle this time.

"Do you think you could find it in your heart to give me another chance? I promise that I won't disappoint you again." As much as I don't want to, a smile forms on my lips of their own volition.

"I think maybe that can be arranged, depending of course, on how the turkey tastes," I tease, giggling. Smiling widely, he scoots his chair over till he's sitting next to me. After staring into my eyes for what seems like forever, he reaches up, cradles my cheeks and presses his lips to mine urgently. When I feel him tilting my head just so, I open my mouth and let his tongue inside, relishing the way it feels to have him kiss me.

Needing air, I finally pull away, sucking in a deep shuddering breath. "I really like the way you kiss," I blurt out, covering my mouth quickly, embarrassed for saying it out loud.

"And I love the way you blush." Chuckling, he reaches up to brush a stray strand of hair behind my ear. After dropping a kiss to my nose, he sighs then stands up.

"As much as I hate to break this up, I have potatoes to peel."

"I guess I'll just go upstairs and get dressed."

"No need to dress on my account," he teases, flashing me his eye thing.

"You best mind your manners Mr. Salvatore or you won't be getting a piece of this for a very long time" With a flirty look on my face, I sashay over to the kitchen door. Just as I'm about to push it open, he grabs my arm, pulling me flush against his chest and kisses my like it's the first kiss. Feeling faint, I'm in a daze when he lets go. Smiling like an idiot, I walk out of the kitchen and plod up the stairs, my mind so full of Damon that I don't even hear Jeremy and Anna giggling in the background.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne

We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,

For auld lang syne

Damon is holding me in his arms as we sway on the dance floor, the clock just striking midnight.

Pressing his lips to my ear, he whispers, "Happy New Year, Elena."

"Happy New Year, Damon." Not lifting my head from his strong shoulders, I continue to sway to the beat of the music. When the song ends, he takes me by the hand to lead me back to our table. He excuses himself for a moment, coming back with two flutes of champagne in his hands. After handing me one, he takes the seat beside me. Clicking his glass to mine, with his voice low, he toasts to us. I smile, thrilled to be drinking to the same thing. Once I take the last sip, he gets us a bottle then takes my hand to lead us outside to his car. Ever the gentleman, he opens the car door allowing me to slide in. He hands me our bottle of champagne then walks around to get in the driver's seat. Leaning close, he gives me a kiss before turning on the engine and backing out of the driveway. My nerves are alight. I'm excited for what I hope will happen again tonight. With my mind busy, imagining his deliciously naked body, I don't even realize the car has stopped till he says my name softly.

I don't miss how his eyes are now darkened with lust. Raising his eyebrows, he grunts when I lean in for a kiss, stretching his lower lip when I let go. I smile when I see him tremble slightly. Jumping out of the car, he runs around to my side, pulling me out, pressing me against the car when he captures my lips in a smoldering hot, panty-dropping, knee weakening kiss. My chest is heaving when he finally lets go, sucking in a breath of air himself. Taking me by the hands, he leads me, walking backwards into the house. After hanging up our jackets, he laces his fingers with mine and leads me up the staircase and into his bedroom.

Once inside, he latches onto my lips while using his skilled hands to lower my zipper, our lips never parting. When the dress pools at my feet, he helps me step out of it so I don't trip. I can't help but feel empowered once again by the look on his face as he stares at my body, wearing only a strapless bra and lacy panties. My libido surges when he licks his lips at the same time his eyes darken. Feeling bold, I step closer and undo one button after the next before pushing his dress shirt off of his shoulders. After giving him a wink, I unclasp his pants letting them fall to his feet. Then I reach for the elastic of his boxers and push them down his legs.

Stooping down at his feet, I untie one shoe and then the other, helping him step out of them. As I stand up, the beautiful silky steel of his erection is standing proud. Unable to help myself, I give the head a lick on my way up, using my hands to fondle his balls. When his fingers lace through my hair, I raise my eyes with him in my mouth. His head is thrown back, loud moans escaping his mouth. Using my tongue, I tease the slit and then the vein that runs along the length underneath. Next thing I know he's thrusting into my mouth, working my head till we find a rhythm he likes. At the same time as I hear a loud throaty growl come from deep within his chest, I feel his release spurting out, bathing the back of my throat as I swallow every drop he has to give. As soon as I'm standing, he lifts me up and drops me onto the bed.

With a waggle of his eyebrows, he latches onto the waistline of my panties and pulls them down my legs. He kisses his way up and then drops beside me on the bed, pulling me into his arms. While engaging me in a mind numbing kiss, he reaches around and unhooks my bra. Once he flings it over his shoulder, he rolls back over so he's on top of me, laying between the cradle of my thighs, open only for him. He begins his descent down my body, latching onto one nipple and then the other suckling it, my back arching forcing more of my breast into his mouth. I love the way it feels when he takes me into his mouth. When I can't take anymore, I grab onto his shoulders and pull him up till I feel his cock brushing against my core, making my hips writhe of their own volition.

He drops a kiss to the tip of my nose then drops his head in the space between my neck and shoulder. When I feel him tease my entrance, I raise my hips, meeting his cock when he sinks inside. I savor the way he stretches my body deliciously to accommodate his gifted width. Raising his head from the crook of my neck, he smacks his lips to mine. Panting for breath he pulls away, breathing deeply as he tries to reclaim his control. Wanting him to move, I run my nails along the length of his back before grabbing onto the curve of his ass, pulling him deeper. We both moan greedily, our bodies fitting together so perfectly. Using my pelvic muscles, I grip onto him as hard as I can, smiling when I see his eyes roll.

"Fuck Elena!" he gasps, pushing and pulling deeper, harder and faster so much so that the bed is rocking with us. Feeling the familiar coil beginning to tighten, I raise and lower my pelvis matching the pistoning of his hips. And then the coil springs, sending me flying over the edge, time and space meaning nothing as bright colors and lightning hot white bursts flash behind my eyes. Completely boneless and sated, I melt onto the mattress, time standing still. I feel Damon thrust once, twice, three more times before he comes with a yell of my name as he surrenders to the throes of passion.

Once Damon is able to move, he looks at me, his eyes beautifully sated. He tugs my still boneless body flush against his chest, kissing the crown of my head. When I feel his lips on my ear, he whispers, "I love you Elena."

With my eyes wide and full of love that I hope he can see, I repeat the words back softly. "I love you too, Damon." Closing our eyes, we both fall asleep, safe in each others arms.

One Year Later:

"It was a long day," Damon remarks, getting into bed beside me.

"It was but it was so nice to be able to celebrate this time of year again. I missed it, you know?"

"I do baby." Raising up on his side, he pulls my lips into a languid kiss.

"I'm so glad that your dad and step mom could join us. Anna seemed really happy to have them here as well."

"She's always been a daddy's girl. What's really nice is having them just across the street since they're staying there with Jeremy and Anna."

"It is. Are you going to get up and make everybody Christmas day breakfast?"

Chucking, he shakes his head. "Don't worry, I set the alarm clock."

"Thank you for coming along with me to the cemetery today."

We walk hand in hand down the pebbled path to my parent's final resting place. Apparently Damon's dad knew my father so he asked to join us today. I link my other arm with his, only letting go when we arrive at this somber place. It's cold today, a fresh dusting of snow glistening on the granite of their headstone. The snow is so pretty as it clings to the tree branches and covers the cold hard ground.

Stooping over, I run my fingers along the engraved etchings of their portrait and their names that are carved into the stone. Just as I'm about to introduce them to Damon, Jeremy and Anna step in behind us. Raising my now tear-filled eyes to those of my brother, he smiles back sadly before stooping down beside me.

"Mom, dad. It's us, me and Jeremy. We brought some people along with us today to meet you. This is Edward Salvatore. He tells me that you already know him. I smile when Ed reaches over to gently pat the granite stone, softly saying hello.

And this is Damon. He makes me so happy mom and dad. He came into my life when I needed him and put 'Humpty Dumpty' back together again," I laugh as tears again fill my eyes. Standing up, I step over to Damon who wraps me in his arms, holding me tightly.

"Mom and dad, I'd like you to meet my fiancé, Anna. She's Damon's sister so we're keeping it all in the family," he jokes, raising his hand to their faces, taking a breath and closing his eyes for just a moment. After we all say a short prayer, we say goodbye then walk away with the promise of coming back to visit them again soon.

Unable to hold my yawn in, I finally surrender to the fatigue I'm feeling. Covering my mouth when I yawn again, I set my magazine on the bedside stand before reaching up to flick off the lamp. Damon does the same, turning his light off. The moon is full, wisps of light shining through the slats on the blinds. Damon gets up to close them tightly, bathing the room with blackness. After my eyes adjust to the darkness, I feel him crawl back into bed. Snuggling into his side, I just stare at him, smiling widely when I feel his hand caress the swell of my belly. My smiles widens even further when I feel our baby kick against his hand. Feigning sleep, I listen as he sings softly to the baby, he or she continuing to push against his hand. After he presses a kiss right there, he lays down next to me, tugging me close. Feeling safe and completely happy, I close my eyes and fall asleep, our baby and me tucked safely in my husband's arms.

When you wish upon a star

Makes no difference who you are

Anything your heart desires

Will come to you

The End.

Thank you, Eva for everything you do for me. I love and appreciate you so much.

Thank you and lots of love to Kate for the story cover.

Chapter title: 'White Christmas' by Bing Crosby

I have posted 3 one-shots for the Live Journal A2A exchange. 'Blue Christmas', 'The Christmas Shoes' and 'When You Believe'. I would love it if you would take the time to read and review.

I will be updating 'Rainy Days and Mondays' and 'Tears in Heaven' soon. I'll also be posting the final chapter of 'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear' tomorrow.

Please remember to click that *review* button.

I want to thank all of you for taking the time to follow and favorite but most especially a big thank you to those of you who do take that extra couple of seconds to say a few words.

I hope you all have a safe and a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful weekend.