Elena stood with Damon beside her and the world that they had built rising up behind them, fresh and clean and so intertwined with the landscape that it was hard to believe that the buildings didn't burst up with the formation of the lake.

Everything was ready. The guest rooms were primped and polished and made up with fresh linens. The restaurants were stocked. The gift stores overflew with merchandise. The pools sparkled. Not a detail had been spared, and every magazine and newspaper and blog that had covered the resort has called it one of Gilbert Real Estate Development's crowning achievements.

The guest list was already overflowing, and they were booked up for the next two years.

Today was the official opening of the resort. The lake was bustling with administration, maintenance, and service staff days before the official opening. Most had moved permanently to their quarters on the lake, but today there were about a dozen more people on the island who did not live here full-time.

The resort was designed so that a dozen bungalows on the north side of the lake were actually for sale. And John and Grayson gave them one for their wedding gift three weeks ago. Elena had worn a pair of white-lace thong panties under her ivory satin wedding gown. Damon still shivered whenever he remembered their wedding night.

Grayson stood with Giuseppe and Pastor near the Dunham Lake. Each of them held a glass of champagne in one hand. From their vantage point they had a clear view of the newlyweds, who were dutifully working their way through a seemingly endless reception line for the official opening day.

The entire town of Mystic Falls, from the mayor and his likely successor and his wife to the sheriff, and the Mikaelson family, had turned out for the official opening of the resort.

"Knew all along Damon belonged here with us," Giuseppe said.

"You won't get any argument from me." Grayson smiled to himself at the sight of Damon standing so close to Elena, one arm wrapped protectively and possessively around her waist, the other outstretched to shake hands with the guests. "I got to say Damon is a hell of a great architect."

"First class all the way, too. Lot of people here tonight wouldn't have noticed or cared if we had served cheap champagne and second-rate food. The resort itself is stunning enough to take everyone's breath away," Grayson said.

"He is a smart man," Pastor said. "And very talented as well. He didn't do this because of his relationship with Elena. He did it because he is really committed to his job."

Grayson took a sip of his champagne. "I will buy that."

Giuseppe glanced at the couple. "Do you think we are going to have more family on the way. A grandkid would be fun."

"Yeah?" Grayson followed his gaze and grinned. "Grandkid sounds like a good idea. You think we are going to have one or more."

Pastor nodded as he grinned. "The more the merrier."

"You know something," Grayson said, "it wasn't always easy, but in the end, we did okay, the three of us."

"We did just fine," Giuseppe agreed. "We hung on until dawn."

Elena looked across the crowded room to where Grayson and Giuseppe stood with Pastor, talking to some guests. "You know," she said, "I think Pastor actually looks healthy than he did."

Damon followed her gaze, amused. "Probably because he doesn't have any more worries," he said. "I hear stress can really make your health go downhill."

"I thought he looked pleased when he came to our wedding, but tonight he seems even happier."

Damon smirked. "That is because my beautiful wife has invited him to attend the official opening. You have tried very hard, haven't you?"

Elena pretended not to understand what he was saying. "Tried hard? What?"

"You want your father to get along with Dad and Pastor."

"We are family now. I want everyone to be happy."

Damon smiled at her. "You did make everyone happy, especially me."

Joy, bright and full of promise, flooded through Elena. Damon tugged her closer, his arm around her waist.

"What are you thinking?" he asked.

"I'm thinking that this is how it feels to have a family. That with a love like ours and a family like this, we can handle whatever comes along in the future."

He smiled, looking satisfied and certain. "Our life is just beginning. And it will be spectacular."

"I was just thinking the very same thing."

THE END