"Damon?"

The voice doesn't speak again and Damon relaxes for a moment before he realizes the silence behind him is deafening. He slowly turns around and his legs start to wobble almost to the point of giving out from under him. She's here… Big tearful eyes dominate her face, her lips are quivering and there she is, right in front of him. Damon is dumbfounded, his eyes as wide as saucers and unable to move or speak.

Elena is here.

She's here with him.

In his presence.

How?

He's taking her in, the present day clothes and natural make up... she's even more stunning than he remembers. He starts to think his mind is once again playing tricks on him but when her face changes to one of heartbreak, Damon almost loses it.

Idiot! She probably thinks you doesn't recognize her.

The instinct to end her misery is overpowering and he moves so quickly, it's as if a magical force is propelling him forward. He catches her in his arms, immediately setting off a wildfire that burns through his veins with each pump of his thundering heart. He's aware he's holding her too tight but she quickly wraps her arms around him and embraces him with just as much strength. A sob escapes her and then she can't stop crying. While Damon's hands are soothing her, his mind is trying to come up with a plausible explanation. Did space and time converge somehow? How is this even possible?

Or has he finally gone mad? Is he even where he thinks he is or did they just travel in time to meet somewhere in between? He gingerly looks around, he's still at the cemetery, standing close to Elena's grave. The car parked near the gate is definitely modern. Even with the haze that's billowing inside his mind like a fog bank, he recognizes his personalized license plate, 'CVLWAR1"

When he feels her shift slightly, he focuses back on the girl in his arms. Her face is still buried in his chest. Clearly she believes they're real. For Damon, it's the most amazing thing ever to be able to hold her. Feeling a need like no other, he brushes his lips along the crown of her head while breathing in her jasmine scent.

"How come, you're not freaking out or…?"

"Why aren't you?" Elena points out. She raises her head to look at him. "I was so scared you wouldn't… .. recognize me... that you'd think I was nuts."

Damon chuckles. "Truth be told, Elena," I thought I was nuts and that I'd lost it completely. My brother has thought me to be certifiable for years now." He chuckles a little at the thought.

They both look at the grave for awhile before Elena has to ask. "Are you… leaving now?"

Damon slightly moves his head no. "I can't now. I don't know how any of this is possible.. Somehow, by some miracle I have found you. I won't, I can't leave until we figure it out... until we figure us out."

He can see the relief in her expression. "I just have to let my parents know I won't be back tomorrow and then I need to book a hotel room for a few more nights."

He's looking at her in awe, shaking his head incredulously. "I'm just... do you know what happened to us? Did you live in the dream of 1863 too? It sounds so... insane. Was... the other Elena your ancestor?"

Damon feels absolutely crazy asking these questions but Elena nods vigorously to each one. "I think my story won't be that much different from yours but it's still a long one. Plus there's only one hotel in town and I can guarantee that you will not want to stay there for one night, let alone several. Um.. I you'd like...," Damon can detect a bit of uncertainty in her eyes, "you're welcome to stay at my house...if you want to that is?"

Damon's tempted to tease her a little but then just bobs his head, reflecting the pure unadulterated happiness that is bursting inside of him. He actually feels like he could climb Everest. He wants to lay the world at her feet. He keeps one arm wrapped around her middle while pulling his cellphone out with the other. After dropping another quick kiss to her forehead, he pushes his dad's icon. While he's waiting for him to answer, he can't take his eyes off of her, neither can stop smiling.

"Hi Dad? I'm going to be staying in Tappahannock for a couple of days. I just found the girl I've been looking for, the one who stars in all of my dreams.

Elena's house isn't the one he remembers, it couldn't be, they're not in the same place, it's a different town and yet it's so familiar looking.

"Is her house, the one near Fredericksburg.. um is it still standing?"

"No, sadly it isn't. Her house.. it was struck by lightning. It burned down in minutes.

He notices a big old Oak tree. Although logically he knows it's not the same one, he can't help himself and walks over to it. Stooping down, he finds himself looking anyway to see if they're miraculously there, the initials he carved. He knew he wouldn't find them and yet he can't help but feel a bit of melancholy that they're not. There was no way she could transplant a great big Oak tree from her place to here, still he had to look for himself.

He smiles when she walks over to join him. She stoops down, her own fingers running along the wood.

"I remember that day..., we went for a walk. Even with your shoulder, you insisted on carving our initials. That tree is still standing, the property belongs to my grandfather now. It's remarkable how much this one resembles it."

"Yeah?" he asks, unconsciously running his palm over the inexplicable scar. Damon stands up and follows her to the steps of the Victorian era home. He stands back and looks up, eyeing the two story structure. It has a first floor porch that wraps around the house from what he can tell.

"This house could be a museum."

"It could. One of my however many great grandfathers ago built this one in 1903." She smiles and motions for him to follow her into the house. Damon follows pausing to take in her amazing home. It's filled with antiques, Civil War era furniture, hurricane lamps, old photos but when he sees a familiar chair, he walks over to it.

"I remember this, it was on the front porch."

"It was. Although nearly all of her and some of my families possession burned in the fire, they were able to save a few relics. I love going to auctions and antique stores, it's a hobby of mine. That's where I've collected most of these pieces."

"It's just that the house, it's looks so familiar and yet it's impossible that it does."

"Actually Damon, my grandfather, the one that built this house, he had pictures of the original so some of the floor plan including the porch were taken from her home."

"That's incredible." Damon voice trails when he suddenly notices the flowers on the table. "Virginia Bluebells. You still love them?"

"I do, they grow wild. My whole backyard is dotted with them. Have a seat, I'm going to get us each a nice cold glass of lemonade."

"That sounds fabulous." He watches her walk off then steps into the parlor. He looks at the china cabinet full of antique glassware and old photographs. Her bookshelf is full of Civil War era books along with some medical books and journals. When he hears footsteps, he turns around just as she steps into the room. He sits down on the couch while she sets the platter on the end table then joins him on the sofa.

"What do you do, Elena and what is your last name?"

"My last name is Gilbert. You may remember meeting Katherine. She was married to Jonathan Gilbert. I descended from one of her twin sons, Grayson. And as far as a career, "I'm a nurse…," she tells him with a twinkle in her eye. "And you?"

Damon laughs shortly, "I'm a historian. I write a monthly article for 'Civil War Times'.

There it is, her sweet giggle again. Damon has an ear to ear smile plastered on his face.

"Let's take our lemonade outside, you can have a look at my garden."

"I'd love that."

They go into the kitchen together. Damon looks around at the blend of past and present that is the kitchen. She has modern appliances but her stove looks like replica of one from times gone by. Elena watches him for a moment before pulling a canister of cookies out of the cupboard.

Once she pours their lemonade, they go outside. The fresh scent of flowers and moss fill the air. Her backyard is indeed dotted with Virginia bluebells. She shows him her vegetable garden. He picks a few grape tomatoes and pops them in his mouth. Elena laughs before doing the same. They retreat to the gazebo and then continue their conversation.

"I'm actually a little worried about what you are thinking," she starts. "I have always been interested in the family heritage, my brother and parents just made fun of me. I collected pictures and period newspapers, letters, all the Civil War stuff. I can't believe I've never come across any of your work. My dad has a subscription to your magazine but I don't remember reading any of your articles."

"Do you… do you have any pictures? I'd like to see your collection." The prospect of seeing something new is exhilarating.

Elena gives him a beaming smile. "Just wait, you will love what I found!" She gets up and disappears inside. Damon experiences an odd feeling of nostalgia and loss the moment she steps out of sight. She's back soon though and contrary to expectations she doesn't have a big box of treasures to reveal, just a…

"I found this photograph in one of my great aunt's collection when she died. She probably didn't even know it was there." She smiles shyly and then hands it to him.

Damon takes the photograph from her gingerly and what he looks at almost brings him to his knees. It's old and creased but clear nonetheless. It's a hospital picture. He immediately recognizes the doctor and there's Elena holding his arm, helping the older man to bandage it. He tries to swallow past the lump in his throat when his eyes drop to Damon himself. The man looks beaten and in pain but yet his eyes are happy as he leans into her touch. It's so obvious. He smooths the photograph and raises his eyes to meet hers, he feels them beginning to moisten from the emotion of it all.

"Thank you… You have no idea how happy I am that you actually exist in my time."

Elena reaches out and squeezes his hand. "I think I do have an idea."

They spend most of the morning walking around Elena's neighborhood. They walk to a park, taking a seat on one of the benches to watch some of the local children play on the swings and teeter totters and the slides. Their delightful squeals and excited screams fill the air. Damon almost wishes that he had a Frisbee and his dog along with. Coop loves to run after the disc when he tosses into the lake that's behind his house. From the park, they stop in a coffee shop. He buys them each an iced coffee and then they start to walk back to Elena's home.

When they get back to her house, Elena tells him to make himself comfortable while she makes them a light lunch. She throws together a chicken and avocado salad and after plating it up, she calls Damon to join her. They sit down and continue their conversation. After putting her water glass down, Elena taps the rim with her index finger.

"What's on your mind?"

"I was just thinking Damon. It's been said about our family that love is both a curse and a blessing. When I started to research the origins of this curse, I found out that it dates back to the Civil War. Katherine's husband died later in the war. Only one of her twins grew to adulthood and married. I can still see it even now, in the present time I mean. My great aunt never married because her heart was broken when she was a young girl. Whereas my parents loved each other very much but my mom died shortly before my eighteenth birthday," she pauses for a moment before the spark returns to her eyes. "Dad has gone out on a few dates but he says mom was the love of his life and he cannot and will not replace her by marrying again."

"I would like to meet him."

"You will..." She stops for a moment to reflect and then her smile returns. "Don't laugh at me, but my best friend comes from a family of witches or that's what they claim anyway."

After an adventure where he literally traveled through time and space, Damon cannot laugh at anything no matter how far out there it may seem. Still the corner of his mouth lifts into a teasing smile. Elena's in return is beaming and Damon squeezes the arm of the chair to stop himself from taking her in his arms and kissing her senseless.

"You don't believe me," Elena accuses, "I'm not saying it's true but there's something different about her, them. Once, I asked her about the curse, it was just us having fun when we were teenagers and she looked at me strangely and said - 'There are promises to be kept before it may be lifted, but you should know that...' - I swear it gave me chills.

Later she wasn't even sure why she said it. Since then I took it all a bit more seriously and became the family weirdo," she shrugs as if it doesn't matter, but Damon can see she's watching him for a reaction. He leans forward and takes her hands in his.

"Elena, I think I'm past doubting anything you say. This, what happened to us, is beyond any rational explanation but I'm not going to question it because it led me to you and I feel it's absolutely right, I couldn't be more grateful."

Elena squeezes his hands in return and her breath hitches.

"Damon...," she whispers her eyes filling with tears. "I need you..." She shifts closer, kneeling between his legs.

How the hell is he supposed to resist her like this? And then the answer presents itself. He shouldn't. He can't. They've been waiting for each other forever and now they are finally together. He doesn't want to hold back and he's sure she doesn't either. He smiles at the thought, that she was the driving force in their 1863 first time as well. He won't hesitate for sure. With a deep contented sigh he tightens his hold on her, burying his face between her neck and shoulder, breathing her in.

"Aren't you going ask if I'm sure and remind me that you will wait for me as long as it takes?" she asks curiously, her eyes twinkling.

"I would," Damon murmurs, "but I don't want to. Besides, I remember you were, are quite determined when you set your mind to something."

Elena giggles and Damon's sure he's never been happier in his entire life.

"I love you so much," he whispers. "I know it may seem… too soon to say such…"

She stops him, pressing her soft fingertips against his lips. "It's not, I feel the same."

Damon can't wait anymore and starts kissing her like there's only today, no tomorrow. Elena launches into the kiss vehemently, her hands rolling up his shirt. Damon doesn't even think of how he got out of his clothes and she of hers but then he's carrying her back into her bedroom. He experiences a welcome sense of deja-vu when she's lying on the bed, gloriously naked, her hands and eyes inviting him to join her.

Is this their first time or just a reunion? It doesn't matter because it feels equally as strong and perfect, Elena moving under him, her fingertips clenching on his back, her sweet and intense sighs right into his ear cause goose bumps to erupt on his skin. Lips and teeth mark each others skin. Occasional moans of each others names urge them to increase the movements.

He would stop when her moans and sighs become cries but somehow he knows she needs this just as desperately as he does. So he keeps thrusting, giving her everything he has and she's returning it with the same fervor. And then in one electric moment, all the flashes of their past and their present intercourse clash together in one blinding surge of emotions so deeply visceral and powerful that it leaves them both struggling for air.

When their breathing slows to normal, they lay quietly in a tight embrace, Damon can't make himself to let go of her even for a second. He's overwhelmed by a sense of familiarity, it feels like coming home. His hand strokes her smooth and damp skin until it accidentally ends up on her flat belly. His heart almost stops in awaiting of her reaction but she just calmly lays her hand on top of his and for a moment they both mourn the life that never got to live.

"How did you... keep going, searching for something you wasn't sure existed?" Damon asks after a while.

She smiles and brushes another kiss to his chest. "I was holding onto your promise," she says simply, trustingly. "I don't know why but I believed with all my heart that somehow, someway, you would find a way for us to be together, whether it's in the past or in the future or even in another world."

He will never know if he's somehow the other Damon who jumped through centuries to keep his promise to Elena or if he just gets to live the life his ancestor didn't. But he will always be grateful and never question how the fate brought them together. So he presses his mouth against her hair and whispers promises, ones that he now knows he'll be able to keep.

Damon opens the car door for Elena and helps her out. She's taking in the surroundings before she looks at the house, Damon smiles at her encouragingly. The door opens before they knock, Zach is hurrying down the stairs to greet his son and the mysterious girl he's bringing home, his mom not far behind. Damon has to grin mentally at their confusion and also excitement. He can't blame them, he hasn't brought a girl since he was in high school. They hug him, Elena awkwardly standing a few steps back so he quickly interrupts the family reunion.

"Mom, dad, this is Elena. Elena Gilbert. Elena, my mom and dad.

Elena smiles, "Nice to meet you," and Damon knows they won't be able to resist her just like he couldn't either.

They spent several days at Elena's birth town going over the stuff she's collected through the years. Although they did a lot of talking, they were equally happy with only silence between them. It was enough to just be together, enjoying each other's presence.

They made love... So many times he can't even count and just thinking about it makes him so hard that he has to check if he's not being obvious. He met some members of Elena's family who were looking at him the same way his parents are eyeing Elena right now.

Miraculously, Elena and his mom become fast friends and the two of them are sharing tips in the kitchen in no time at all. Damon chuckles at his father's disbelief as they listen to the two women, chatting as if they'd known each other for years.

"What wrong dad? I thought you'd be happy that I'm not alone anymore?"

Zach looks at him troubled. "Can you be serious for a few minutes here, Damon? Last week you told me you have time and now you're bringing us a girl you just met. You're already talking about marriage when you've known her for five minutes? And did you say her name is Elena? Elena? A girl with the same name of the woman whose grave you went to see?"

Damon feels a little sorry for his dad's confusion but he's so incredibly happy he can't stop smiling. "Dad, I promise I'm not crazy and I know what I'm doing. When you get to know her, you will fall in love with her just like I did. And yes, the wedding is definitely in plans," he adds just to tease his father.

Zach has no idea how to deal with the situation but when they sit in the garden, enjoying lunch and visiting, he relaxes a little. Elena's her most adorable self, not at all shy talking to his parents, sharing warm looks and small touches under the table and he'd like nothing more than to have her just for himself like right now.

"I understand you met my son only when he came to Tappahannock, Elena?"

She looks him in the eyes and nods to Zachary. "I did Mr. Salvatore, but I've been waiting for him my whole life."

"You're enjoying this!" Elena laughs. "Freaking out your parents, I mean."

"Yeah, I am," he laughs, "I'm so happy, it feels so good to be able to introduce you to my family." Luckily, Damon knows this way by heart otherwise he could cause an accident because he can't stop looking at her instead of on the road before him. "Wait till you meet Stefan!" When she looks over at him, he quirks a brow and starts to chuckle.

"Right, your younger brother?"

"Yes, Stef was supposed to keep an eye on Cooper, my dog. If his new wife is with him, I don't want to know what was happening there."

Elena rolls her eyes but soon she can't stop staring at the beautiful picture that opens up to them when the lake comes into the view. "It's incredible, Damon! You live here?

Damon just smiles when he parks the car in front of his house. They stretch when they get out of the car. Suddenly a big furry dog darts out of nowhere, Damon quickly moving in front of Elena to defend her.

"Don't worry, he's a good boy he just needs to meet you...," Damon trails off as Cooper pulls up short, watching Elena for a moment before greeting her with a short yelp and attacks her with his wet muzzle and tongue. Damon's taken aback, so is Stefan, who hurries out of the door.

Elena laughs at Cooper's antics but quickly gets up when she notices Stefan's presence. "Sorry, he's just so cute..."

"Cute? Stefan snorts, he's also handful," he looks at Damon strangely and Damon quickly introduces them.

"Stefan, my brother, Elena... my girl." He's not sure if "girl" is appropriate but it will have to do.

"How long have you known him?," Stefan nods to the dog, who's bumping into Elena to get some attention.

"Today was the first time."

Stefan gives Cooper another disbelieving look. "Whatever. I have to go, glad you're home Damon, this 'hurricane' took a lot of my time. Time that I was supposed to be spending with Caroline." He shakes them off and jumps into his car. Looking up, he waves at them while backing out of the drive way.

"That was weird," Elena looks at Damon questioningly.

"It's Stefan," Damon reacts, as if it's all the explanation she needs. "But look at it this way," he pulls her closer which causes Cooper to keep jumping at them. "Now we're finally alone again. Would you like me to give you a tour?"

The morning is beautiful, Elena is sitting on the front stairs, breathing in the fresh air, looking at the lake. It's always changing colors. She grabbed one Damon's shirts when she left the bedroom to get something to drink. After she poured herself a glass of sweet tea, she looks out of the window. Unable to resist the view, she goes outside and plops herself down on one of the steps. Damon finds her several minutes later, his hair a mess, stubble on his face, his chest bare and Elena's heart skips a beat at the sight.

"This shouldn't be legal, you know...," he greets her. "Looking this sexy in the morning I mean. Especially when I know you have nothing on except my shirt."

Elena blushes. "Says someone wandering around in just his boxers."

"Well, since someone took my shirt...," Damon smirks, drops down onto the step above hers and spreads his limbs. Elena leans back against his frame sitting between his legs. "Aren't you hungry?"

"Food, who needs food? I'm utterly and completely happy right now."

Damon plants a kiss on the crown of her head. "We can go for a walk later. We can do anything you want."

Elena tilts her head back to collect a kiss on the lips, which Damon happily delivers. "I'd love to."

Cooper runs to them trying to squeeze his head between them. Damon ruffles his fur and winks at Elena. "You know, Coop is a friendly dog but I never saw him make friends with someone so quickly."

"Ah, that's why you two looked at me so weirdly yesterday."

"Yes, I don't think Stefan believed you that you never saw him before."

"It's a skill," Elena winks at him, not feeling the need to try to come up with a reason.

"Alright," Damon pulls her onto his lap. "Wanna see some of mine?"

He lifts her laughing carrying her back into the house, slamming the door shut before Cooper can follow them inside.

An individual life owes its existence on a series of accidents, strokes of luck, tragedies, decisions, the explained, the unexplainable, near-misses any number of things that became the lives of the people who came before them. Coincidence, chance and happenstance may stretch behind them for generations. Even if one of the innumerable events that encompass a life had not occurred, things can still happen, bit by little bit, eventually leading to the here and now.

With these thoughts in mind Damon finds himself overlooking a Pennsylvania field on a bright and windy day, squinting at a ridge. He remembers July 3, 1863 as if it was only yesterday. He remembers the sweltering heat and waiting for the command to start the assault that history would come to know as Pickett's Charge.

He shields his eyes with his hand as he scans the now barren field. It's no longer drenched in blood and littered with bodies the way it was when he died on it. He turns a little more, his eyes falling on the Spangler farm. It's now part of Gettysburg National Military Park. It's one of the spots from which his fellow Confederate brethren launched their assault on the third and final day of the battle, one that marked a turning point in the war. He feels Elena squeeze his hand. He faces her for a moment and then turns his attention back to the field.

Standing here, in a small depression in the countryside, it's easy to remember that the soldiers, himself included, had little idea that near certain death was waiting for them. Ripples and folds, the natural landscape obscured their objective, the ridge. His heart is nearly beating out of his chest, a gasp escapes when he finds the area that somehow looks familiar even after all these years. He remembers clutching his abdomen, his blood staining his hands and gushing from his mouth just before death claimed him.

He takes a breath and then tells Elena exactly what happened. The memory is still so fresh in his head. How many people can bear witness to their own deaths? He still doesn't know how any of this is possible. When he starts to choke up, his eyes beginning to glisten, Elena wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him close, comforting him, reassuring him and loving him.

As soon as he regains his composure, she takes his hand again and when their eyes meet, she drops a kiss to his lips. "Let's go home."

He sucks in a deep breath, nods his head and follows her back to the car. Before getting in, he looks at the empty field once more, stands at attention and salutes his fellow soldiers.

6 months later

"Can I come in?" Elena's father peeks through the door, hoping to have a few words with his daughter.

"Yes, daddy, come in."

"We'll just go downstairs and give you two a few minutes." Elena smiles thankfully watching while Bonnie and Caroline leave the room.

Grayson carefully embraces his daughter and then gives her a kiss on the forehead. "I'm very proud of you Elena. Damon adores you. You chose good."

"Thank you daddy. I just wish she could be here too."

"She is sweetheart. As a matter of fact, I got something for you." he reaches into his suit jacket, pulls out a small velvet box and opens the lid. Inside is an antique looking yellow diamond pendant on a chain.

"This was mom's. I remember her wearing it on special occasions."

"Yes and now it's yours. I can't think of a more special occasion."

Elena doesn't want to cry but her emotions overwhelm her. She hugs her dad tight and quickly dabs her eyes before her mascara runs. "Put it on me?" She turns her back to him, raises her hair and then he drapes it around her neck. Just as he snaps the clasp the music starts to play.

"Showtime," he laughs and sticks out his elbow. Elena latches on and then the two of them leave the room to fulfill her destiny.

"Why are you rushing into this again? You and Elena hardly know each other..."

"Stefan's just jealous because he waited for years with Caroline and now you beat him at parenthood..." Nik teases.

"For a million time, Stefan, besides the fact we both want to start our life together as soon as possible, we also sort of are in a rush, if we wait another month, she won't fit into the dress..."

There it is, the real reason Stefan's mad at him. They get to have a family earlier than Stefan. He just thinks his own concept must be the right one.

"Boys," Zach enters the room, "Can you please skip the grumbling it on his wedding day? I saw the bride, she's too cute to be exposed to your bickering."

"Yes, Stefan, you had your big day now it's my turn. And besides, I didn't grumble at yours." Damon mocks him.

Zachary and Nik share a look, Zach rolling his eyes. They all look at the door when they hear a creek. Damon's mom steps inside.

"I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you Damon and how much we love Elena. You chose good."

Overcome with emotion, his voice cracks a little bit. "Thanks mom." Damon embraces her and kisses her cheek. "I love you," he whispers next to her ear. They part when his father interrupts.

"It's time, come on boys, Stefan, go first." The two brothers take their places while Zachary and Jenna take their seats next to Mikael and Esther. They're family too. Elena's best friend Bonnie is officiating the ceremony. When the chords of Pachelbel's canon start to play, Damon raises his head, his eyes meeting hers. His heart melts at how beautiful she is, both inside and out.

Later, no one has a chance to take turns with the gorgeous bride, Damon doesn't want to share, even for a dance. They dance slowly over the room, he can't resist, his hand occassionally slips to her baby bump shaping up under her wedding dress.

"How is he?" Damon whispers into her ears, teasing her by starting their favorite game.

"She is doing fine, not buying your act that you're expecting a boy at all... Feel for yourself," Elena holds his palm on her belly. He beams when he feels the fluttering. He'll never get over how magical that feels. Damon's silent for a long moment, then hides his wife in his embrace completely. "You know," he whispers, "sometimes I feel I should be more protective, afraid maybe that the other shoe may drop. That one day I'll wake up and you won't be here or that someone comes and hurts you, taking you away from me... But then, when I have you in my arms I just know deep inside that nothing can tear us apart. I'll always be at your side and I know that you'll never leave mine.

Elena is swinging to the rhythm of music, her head lying on Damon's chest. "And that's the way it's supposed to be. From now till forever."

Truer words have never been spoken.

Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow - this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.

President Abraham Lincoln. November 19, 1863.

"For those who believe, no explanation is necessary; for those who do not believe, no explanation is possible." Franz Werfel from 'The Song of Bernadette'.

Damon had to go back in time, via his dream, to relive that period in old Damon's life to be able to find his own Elena. Without that, none of this chapter would have been possible.

Thank you all so much, Eva and I are incredibly grateful for your support, reviews, follows, favorites. Your wonderful words and stellar support are the we continue to strive to give you new and fresh DE stories. Out of the blue the other day, Eva mentioned to me that she misses them as do I. The 'I Can't Escape Myself' Valentine will post on that day barring anything unforeseen.

The 1993 movie 'Gettysburg' directed by Ronald Maxwell starring Jeff Daniels, Martin Sheen, Tom Berenger and Stephen Lang as General Pickett is excellent. It's based on the book "Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara which is an excellent read too if that type of story piques your interest.

I love you dearly Eva. Thank you.

Chapter title: 'Forever Yours' by Nightwish.

'November Rain' continues. Watch for my short story period piece to be posting any day now.

Be safe, have a fabulous day and thank you.