Happy birthday to our dear friend Kate. You know her as Florencia7. Hope you're having a spectacular day.

By the time Elena gets home, night has enveloped the small town in a blanket of darkness. She scurries down the path towards their house, her shoes slapping against the stone steps that lead to the front door. Fallen leaves litter the walkway, bathing it in dark red and orange, and she steps on them with a satisfying crunch. The porch light is on, and the familiar yellow glow makes the house feel warm and inviting. Noticing the brand new flower pots filled with pink, blue and yellow chrysanthemums, she stoops over to take a whiff, a smile building on her face.

Damon...

The metal of the doorknob is cool against her palm and she twists it with ease, entering the well-lit living room. She sets her suitcase on the floor in the foyer, lays her purse on the half table and walks into the living room. She's been in Washington DC for the last week researching the Hope Diamond and its curse for a book she hopes to write. Before coming home, she stopped in Virginia Beach to spend two nights with her parents and grandmother.

"You're home," Damon quickly closes the distance between them, and greets her with a searing, soul-shattering kiss that weakens her knees.

Pulling back slightly, he holds her face in both of his hands. "I've been counting the minutes... I missed you, Elena," he whispers.

She smiles brightly and her eyes shine, reflecting all the love she feels for her man. Snaking her arms around his neck and dropping her voice a few octaves lower, she purrs seductively, "Show me."

Fingertips like matchsticks graze her skin with flame, igniting a passion that she's only felt with him.

Damon backs up, drops onto the couch and pulls her onto his lap wordlessly telling her he needs more of a connection, or that they both do. His eyes are so different in moments like these, more soft. The professional man is gone and instead they are the eyes of the man who loves her deeply. In all the world there isn't another like him.

With care and attention, he strips them out of their tops and unzips her jeans far enough for him to sink his hand in. He circles her clit and thrusts two fingers inside, while his other hand unclasps her bra so he can start suckling and nipping at her breasts.

She tangles her fingers in his obsidian hair that falls in tousled locks, framing his face. His warmth seeps into her being and comforts her with his mere presence alone.

Working in tandem, his fingers and mouth have her spiraling in a matter of minutes. Making quick work of her jeans and panties, Damon lays her on the couch. After throwing her knees over his shoulders, he buries his face between her legs and groans in pleasure as he plunders her flesh and soon she's flying again.

While her body is still trembling, he captures her lips. His kiss is steeped in a fiery gusto that ignites her body all over again. When she can see straight, Elena pushes him down and kisses every inch of his ripped body, spending an extra long time with her mouth around his manhood. He groans and bucks his hips, the passion is intense and intoxicating.

Somehow he finds the wherewithal to drag her up, kiss her hard while flipping her onto her back then he's inside of her, their grunts and hisses creating a symphony in the room. He moves slow at first, gliding in and out, building the heat inside her and staving off his own release, until her bucking hips urge him to go harder, faster and deeper. Only moments later, they climax together before collapsing in a sweaty, sated, well-loved heap.

Damon wraps his arms around her, pulling her flush against his body and she lets her head rest upon his chest. All her thoughts stop as if her heart takes over from her head when they're so close. Next he squeezes as if he needs to check she is really there with him and really real... and she is, body, mind and soul.

The next morning they take their time making love in the shower, Damon insisted on welcoming her home properly. As soon as they're dressed in casual wear, shorts, tee shirts and sandals, they hop into his vintage Camaro to drive to his parent's vineyard and winery, Chateau Salvatore. The vineyard lies in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and the rolling hills are perfect for growing quality wine grapes.

Damon has told Elena how much he enjoyed growing up there and still loves the place. He still helps out sometimes if his mom and dad ask. After parking the car, he takes her by the hand and walks into the vineyard itself. The lush green, crouched low to the earth, gripping thick, harsh vines will prick and splinter her fingers if they're not careful. Damon plucks one of the swelled ripe fruit and plops it in his mouth, sighing happily at the flavor.

"I want one," she pouts, earning a chuckle from him. He picks a cluster and they stuff them into their mouths before turning around to go into the winery to say hello to his folks and do a little wine tasting.

"Damon, Elena, I'm happy to see you," Jenna remarks, waving them over.

"Mom," Damon kisses her cheek. "Is dad around?" he asks, his eyes darting around the room.

"He's in here some place," she looks around, crooking her arm to wave him over when their eyes meet.

"Hello Elena," the older Salvatore gives her a hug. "You two look low key today," he peruses her and his son.

"Well, we came to taste some wine and we figured that if we have too much, we might be able to crash in my old room tonight?" Damon waggles his brows playfully at his dad.

"Go on," he laughs and goes to mingle among some of their other guests.

"At least plan to stay for supper," Jenna tilts her head, looking at her son.

"Sure, mom," he chuckles, links his hand with Elena's and leads her to the wine tasting area. After holding the chair out for her, he sits down himself and signals a waitress who brings over a tray of five different glasses of wine. Elena watches Damon swirl the first glass in his hand before raising it to his nose to breathe it in.

"Your turn," he hands it to her. She stares at the way the light hits the surface, glistening as the liquid swirls in the glass, before lowering her nose to inhale.

"It smells good, like apples and honey," she takes a sip, sighing at the sweet notes that lead to a crisp finish.

"That's the Cyzer, one of my favorites," Damon takes the glass from her to have a sip too. Setting it down, he picks up another one.

"Try this one," he hands it to her.

"It smells like wine," she deadpans, shaking her head while bringing the rim to her nose.

"Yes, it smells like wine but there's more."

"I didn't grow up in a winery you know," she arches an eyebrow before taking another whiff.

"It isn't rocket science," he laughs. "Just tell me what you smell?"

"I know this probably sounds crazy but it's tobacco and black pepper."

"Very good, this is mom and dad's 2016 George's Cuvee. Now what else?"

"Plums," she takes a sip and hands it to Damon.

"It's delicious. Do your parents ship nationwide?"

"They do," he nods, picking up the third glass, swilling it in his mouth and enjoying the flavors as they blend on his tongue.

"Next time I go home, I'm taking a few bottles with me," she remarks, looking around the quaint room. It has a brick interior, a fire place, wooden tables and chairs, low lighting, and a long bar. "The ambience really adds to the experience," she looks around, taking another swallow when he hands her the glass. "Do they sell these too?" she asks, running her fingertip over the intricate etchings of the Chateau Salvatore script.

"I'm sure I can get you a couple," he laughs. They sample a few other bottles, the Chardonnay, barrel fermented in Hungarian oak with layers of Pineapple, citrus and pear. And lastly, he buys a bottle of the Francesco's Cabernet Named after Damon's grandfather, it has aromatics of black fruit including black cherry & blackcurrant. When they finish, Elena excuses herself to use the bathroom, "I'll meet you outside," she slowly lets go of his fingers, blushing slightly when he winks at her.

"Well?" he turns and smiles as she joins him.

She faces him and smiles back. "There's something to be said for wine tasting."

He kisses her lightly on the mouth. "Then we're gonna have to do it more often."

"Anytime you want, I'm willing."

He holds her eyes with his own, his face turning serious. "I love you, Elena."

She shakes her head. "Every time I look at you, I have to pinch myself." She smiles, rubbing her hand over his jeans- clad ass in light easy strokes. "If not for grandma…"

"I beg to differ, if not for your lead foot...," he quirks a brow at her.

"Oh really?" she teases, giving his rear end a little pinch.

He removes her hand and wraps both of them around his neck. "Best arrest I ever made."

The protest dies on her lips when he covers her mouth with his.

Damn, he really is a romantic and he's all hers...

Tremendous thanks to all of you. You're the very best of the DE fandom, there's no arguing that point.

Thank you Eva. You're the best.

Chapter title: 'The Glory of Love' by Peter Cetera.

Have a terrific day and a wonderful week.