The crowd waited patiently, smiling at Damon and his two best men, Stefan as Alaric – waiting for the ceremony to start.

The first person to come down the aisle was Bonnie, carrying Arianna. The bridesmaid dresses were a pale turquoise satin, strapless dress with a white bow tied at the front complete with silver heels. A small smile was placed across Bonnie's face as she carried her daughter down the aisle, throwing flowers side to side for Arianna. The whole crowd awed when appropriate, earning a smile from the baby. Next was Caroline, walking down the aisle with a smile on her face, earning a wink from Tyler.

Suddenly, the whole crowd stood as the wedding march began. All eyes were on the back doors as they opened, revealing a smiling Elena.

There is no other way to describe the beauty that Elena emitted as she floated down the aisle like the angel she was. A wide smile etched on her face, her entire face glowing with happiness.

Her dress was pure white. It was tight around her torso, accentuating her every curve and then flowed down to her feet. There was a thin band of diamonds forming a belt just below her upper chest, allowing support. Her hair was curled and placed in a side ponytail, with a white rose placed just above her ear. Elena's makeup was very subtle, yet beautiful. Three shades of purple eye shadow masked her eyelids, darkest to lightest. Her lips were masked with lip gloss, and her cheeks were a very light shade of pink – giving her an extra glow.

But her smile is what tied her look together. I have never seen anything more beautiful in my entire life.

"Are you ready for this?" Stefan whispered, barely moving his lips. I felt a genuine smile fall across my face as Jeremy brought Elena closer to me.

"I've been ready forever," I said simply before stepping down and taking my bride.

I stepped down from the front of the aisle to meet Elena. Jeremy smiled at his sister, and you could see the tears threatening to spill over in Elena's big, beautiful brown eyes. Jeremy unloosened his grip on her arm and wrapped his sister in a warm embrace before placing Elena's soft hand in mine, and then taking his stance behind Alaric.

"You are so beautiful," I whispered honestly to Elena, so low only she could hear. She winked at me before turning her gaze towards the officiator.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of Elena Marie Gilbert and Damon James Salvatore in matrimony," he began. "Marriage is an eternal promise, a promise that should not be made lightly. I stand before you with this man and this woman, as they prepare to embark in arguably the most challenging adventure one can face, one that Damon and Elena have agreed to embark on together."

The officiator looked between Elena and I, before his eyes landing on Elena. "We now present the rings…" he began.

"I'd like to say something first," I said, interrupting the minister. He didn't say anything in response, he just gestured for me to continue. I took a deep breath and looked into Elena's glistening brown eyes.

"Anybody that knows anything about us knows that our relationship has been anything but simple. It's been complicated, confusing, all consuming. But above all, it's been real. I pity the people that go through their lives never finding someone that makes them feel like I feel when I'm with you. I find myself wondering sometimes if it's possible to love someone so much and then you walk into the room and I remember that it is possible. It's possible to love someone so much your heart aches from the immensity of your feelings. I feel like that, and it used to scare me but somewhere along the way, you taught me not to be afraid," I spoke with clarity.

"I can't promise that I'll be the perfect friend or the perfect lover or the perfect husband but I can promise that I will always put you first. I will never lie to you or take you for granted, and I promise that it'll be a cold day in hell before your warm and pure heart breaks at the expense of something I've done," I spoke with conviction. The officiator looked to Elena for her to say something. "Oh, and I love you," I quickly added before the officiator rolled his eyes.

The tears were now falling freely from Elena's brown eyes, as she smiled at me. I smiled back at her, amazed that this woman was about to become mine forever. She sniffled quietly before taking a deep breath and looked me in the eyes.

"Damon," she began. "I used to be terrified to break out of my comfort zone, to take a leap of faith, to move forward with my life. And then I met you, and without even knowing it – I was out of my comfort zone, I was taking giant leaps of faith and I was moving forward. And somewhere along the way, I wasn't afraid anymore because just knowing you would be there to catch me at the end of every day was enough for me," I gave Elena's hand a gentle squeeze as she continued. "God knows we've been to hell and back, but I wouldn't take any of it – the good or the bad – for the world. Damon, you are my best friend in the world, and I can't imagine spending my life with a funnier, honest, braver, sexier man. I love you, and I can't wait to see what forever has in store for us," Elena finished, a wide smile with glistening tears on her lips.

It took everything in me not to kiss her right there and forget about the order the ceremony was supposed to go in.

The officiator cleared his throat before speaking again. "Damon, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to love her, comfort her, honor her, and keep her, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto her, for all the days of your life?

"I do," I spoke with conviction – my eyes never leaving Elena's beautiful face.

"And will you Elena, have this man to be your wedded husband, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto him, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Elena said with a warm smile. The officiator said what each of us was to repeat, and I gazed at Elena with more love and affection I thought I could feel.

"I, Damon, take you, Elena, to be my wedded wife. I promise to have you and hold you through better and worse, through sickness and health, through richer and poorer. I promise to love you unconditionally until the end of time,"

"I, Elena, take you, Damon, to be my wedded husband. I promise to have you and hold you through better and worse, through sickness and health, through richer and poorer. I promise to love you unconditionally until the end of time," Elena promised.

"Do you have a ring for the bride?" the officiator asked. I turned to Stefan, who had a smile on his face as he handed me the ring I'd been waiting to give to the one I love forever. "Please place the ring on the bride's finger and repeat after me,"

I slid the ring onto Elena's ring finger effortlessly, and watched her features light up in awe as she gazed at the jewel. "With this ring, I thee wed."

"Do you have a ring for the groom?" the officiator asked. Elena turned around to Caroline, who had a wide smile and tears glistening down her face. "Place the ring on the groom's finger and repeat after me,"

Elena slid the silver band on my finger, never taking her eyes off of mine as she spoke with clarity. "With this ring, I thee wed."

"Let these rings serve as a reminder of your promise of love, affection and devotion to one another. By the authority invested in me by the state of Virginia, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Damon, you may now kiss your bride…"

Finally, those seven words I'd been waiting to hear since the day started were spoken. I gently cradled Elena's face, and kissed my first, last and only love.

….. ….. …..

"Would everyone please clear the floor for the bride and groom's customary first dance," the D.J spoke. Two butlers pulled back the double doors leading into the ballroom of the Lockwood Mansion. Damon and Elena walked into the middle of the room, wide smiles plastered on each of their faces, their fingers intertwined with one another as they melted together as one in the middle of the dance floor.

With one hand on her back, and one arm around his shoulder, he cradled her free hand against his chest as they waited for the music to begin.

"What song did you pick?" Elena asked thoughtfully. Suddenly, the music started playing and a small laugh escaped from her lips. "I should have known," she said with a smile as she placed a kiss on his lips.

Can you still see the heart of me?
All my agony fades away
when you hold me in your embrace

Don't tear me down for all I need
Make my heart a better place
Give me something I can believe
Don't tear me down
You've opened the door now, don't let it close

"I love you," Damon told her honestly as he kissed her forehead. Once other couples made their way onto the dance floor, the custom way to hold eachother was no more as she wrapped her arms around Damon's neck, allowing him to wrap his arms around her waist. They were as close as possible, with only a little bit of air between them, swaying back and forth on the dance floor. Elena tightened her grip around his neck and inhaled deeply.

"I love you," she replied, a wide smile on her face. She stroked the back of his hair with her hand, her eyes closed in contentment.

"You really do look beautiful by the way…" he whispered, getting a soft giggle from her.

"So do you," she replied quickly. Damon pulled away slightly, a mock pout on his lips. Elena ran her thumb over his lips and leaned in to kiss him softly. "I meant handsome. You look handsome," she cleared up.

"I know," Damon replied, his signature smirk evident on his face. A new song begun to play, and Damon felt a light tap on his shoulder. He turned around to be faced with another pair of brown eyes.

"May I cut in?" Jeremy asked quietly. Damon looked at Elena and then rolled his eyes.

"Haven't even been married an hour yet and you're already meddling…" Damon muttered, walking away to the bar. Elena giggled as Jeremy led the dance.

Can you imagine when this race is run,
Turning up our faces into the sun,
Praising our leaders getting in tune,
Music's played by the mad man

Forever young, I want to be forever young,
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever forever,
Forever young, I want to be forever young,
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever, forever

"You did good today," Jeremy commented as they danced across the floor. "Mom and Dad would've been really proud of you…" he told her in all honesty.

"Jeremy…" Elena began. He pulled away so he could look at his sister. "I don't know how I would've gotten through any of this without you…" she started, her eyes glistening with tears again.

"We're family…you're my sister. We promised we'd always be there for eachother, remember? No matter what?" he prompted.

"No matter what," she promised with a smile, wrapping her arms around her brother in a sibling embrace.

….. ….. …..

"I'm not really good with words…" Alaric said sheepishly, his eyes on the ground.

"You're a teacher!" Damon shouted from his seat beside Elena. She smacked him playfully, her eyes on Alaric as he debated what to see next.

"Alright fine," he spat back. "I haven't known Damon for very long…and believe me; I'm not complaining…" he added jokingly. "And we didn't exactly get off on the best of terms, but here we are some three years later, and I'm semi-proud to say that he is my best friend. Damon is not the type of guy that does things half ass. When he works, he works hard. When he's sad, he's depressed and when he loves, he loves fiercely…"

"I can't think of one person that didn't see the inevitable Damon and Elena relationship. I think it was obvious to everyone but Damon and Elena. Damon didn't notice the way his ears perked up at the sound of her name or the way his eyes followed her every movement, even if it was just the flip of her hair or when he pissed her off, the flip of the bird…" Alaric added as an afterthought. Elena was blushing deeply now, laughing into Damon's chest.

"But in all seriousness, they've had their ups and downs but the bottom line is – when Elena was falling, Damon caught her and when Damon hit rock bottom, Elena brought him up. They bring out the best and worst in each other, and I think that's the best kind of love," Alaric raised his glass of champagne with a smile on his face. "To Damon and Elena, I wish you an eternity of happiness…" he said with a wink. Everyone raised their glass, cheering the new couple.

Bonnie handed Arianna to Jeremy with a smile and headed up to the microphone, her glass in hand. "Elena and I have been best friends since kindergarten…she had the 64-pack of crayons so it was an inevitable friendship. Over the years I've watched you go from the girl who thought everything through logically to the girl who finally followed her heart…" Bonnie began.

"From a distance, it was easy to see the instant, simple attraction between Damon and Elena but when you got to the relationship, it was anything but simple. What these two have, it is anything but simple. It's raw and complicated and painful and wonderful," Bonnie told everyone honestly. "And it's what I imagined being in love to be like," she said, shooting a smile towards Jeremy.

"I don't think I've ever seen two people more terribly in love with each other. Damon looks at Elena with the kind of passion and affection you watch in movies and Elena talks about Damon like he puts stars in the sky. It was only a matter of time before their worlds collided, making magic everywhere. Damon and Elena deserve all the happiness in the world, and I know your love is enough to last forever…" Bonnie said, winking at the happy couple and everyone cheering again.

Caroline bounced up to the microphone, a wide smile plastered on her face as she spoke. "Anybody who knows me knows that I'm not good with words unless I'm having like a totally epic moment, which at the moment, I'm not…" she said plainly. "So, I decided to sing a little song for the happy couple…" everyone in the audience was looking at each other strangely and Caroline huffed. "That's Damon and Elena's cue to go on the dance floor…" she prompted, raising her eyebrows, the annoyed look in her eyes.

Laughing, Damon and Elena stood in front of the stage in an embrace like their first dance. Nodding to the band, Caroline began to sing.

What if I told you it was all meant to be?
Would you believe me, would you agree?
Its almost that feeling that we've met before so tell me that you dont think Im crazy when I tell your love is here and now.

A Moment like this.
Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this.
Some people search forever for that one special kiss.
I cant believe its happening to me.
Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this.

Everything changes, but beauty remains.
Something so tender I cant explain.
Well I may be dreaming but til I awake..Can we make the dream last forever?
And I'll cherish all the love we share for a moment like this.

Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this.
Some people search forever for that one special kiss.
I cant believe its happening to me.
Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this.

The speed of waiting love of all.
I wanna know that you will catch me when I fall.
So let me tell you this.
Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this...

Some people search a lifetime for a moment like this.
Some people search forever for that one special kiss.
I cant believe its happening to me.
Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this.

….. ….. …..

After a night of dancing, laughter, smiles, tears, hellos and goodbyes, everyone waved goodbye to Damon and Elena as they hopped into the limo, and headed off to the airport. Elena leaned her head against the head rest before leaning into Damon. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head softly. She dozed off for what she assumed was half an hour, and when she woke up they were at the airport, her eyes automatically drifting to the distance.

"Oooh - another mystery trip?" Elena asked with a smile, placing a kiss on his cheek.

"You know me, full of surprises…" he smirked, as a man opened the door. "Hey Jim!" Damon greeted, patting the man on the back.

"Hey Jim, it's nice to see you again!" Elena said, shaking his hand. He led the way towards the private jet and exchanged a few words with Damon. "He's not going to announce where we're going, is he?" she asked, lying down on the bed at the back of the plane.

"Nope," Damon said with a smirk as he lay down next to Elena. She threw her arm over his waist and snuggled into his chest, inhaling his scent. "Are you tired?" he asked, kissing her forehead.

"Yeah, but I don't wanna sleep…I just wanna lay here with you," she told him honestly.

"Is that a no to the mile-high club?" Damon asked playfully.

"I swear, one track mind…" she muttered, rolling her eyes. he began rubbing her back, and then stroking her hair.

"I'm only kidding, love. We're married now, I don't want to take your marriage virginity at the back of a plane, that's not very romantic…" he whispered quietly. Elena purred out of contentment, grabbing Damon's free hand and lacing it with hers.

"We made it, didn't we?" she whispered.

"Yes, we did."

"I love you, Damon Salvatore," Elena whispered with conviction.

"I love you, Elena Salvatore," he whispered back.

"I love the sound of that," she said with a smile. Damon and Elena left their conversation at that, falling asleep to the purring of the plane engine and the unnecessary breathing from each of them.

….. ….. …

"Is this really necessary?" I asked Damon as he guided me up an elevator.

"Yes it is," he told her honestly, pressing a few buttons. She could hear the purr of the elevator and the movement of it moving upwards.

"This is ridiculous, I'm a vampire and I'm wearing a blindfold, and I still have no sense of direction as to where you're taking me!" she complained, stomping her foot lightly. The sudden ding of the elevator caused a small smile on her lips as Damon laced his hand through his.

"Come on, wifey, lighten up…" he said as he guided her through another set of doors. He loved keeping her in the dark (no pun intended) when it came to surprises. He turned the knob on a set of French double doors and left Elena standing in front of them. "Wait here," he told her.

Damon sauntered over to the back wall, drawing back the curtains. The sun was just beginning to rise where they were, lighting up the environment perfectly. He walked back to Elena, laced his hand through hers and then stood right behind her. Wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head on her shoulders, he whispered lightly in her ear.

"You can take off the blindfold now…" he told her.

"You don't have to tell me twice," she mocked as her eyes flew to the piece of fabric tied around her eyes. Her brown eyes widened and a smile found itself across her face in amazement. "Damon…is this…" she began, not sure how to form words.

"Welcome to Paris…" he whispered in her ear.

The End

I had so much fun writing this chapter. Thank you SO much for all the amazing reviews I've gotten on this story. You guys have really inspired me, and I so very much appreciate each and every review. Check out on my other stories (Hanging by a Moment is Delena centric), and I can't wait to hear from you guys on future projects. Please tell me what you think of the ending. I love you guys! Thanks for everything, xoxox.