Chapter 23

Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I'm just borrowing.

Note: Previously, in "Insanity in Love," Damon proposes to Elena and learns that she is pregnant.

Thank you for the great reviews! I hope that you have enjoyed the journey as much as I did. I may do a sequel to this story. Anyway, I present to you the conclusion of "Insanity in Love." No spoilers, just follow along.

Fell's Church – Several Months Later...

Elena smiled as she admired the reflection of her wedding dress in the mirror. Today, she was marrying Damon Salvatore, the man she loved and the father of her unborn child. Granted, the beginning of their relationship had been rocky, but their love was strong enough to endure anything, including Stefan's death.

She was still looking at the reflection when Elisabetta walked in, smiling at her future daughter-in-law. "Oh, Elena, you look positively beautiful."

Elena returned her smile. "Thank you, Elisabetta. I'm excited about today."

"And for good reason," the older woman replied. "You're going to be marrying my son." She placed her hand on Elena's belly. "Even though I'm still deeply saddened by the death of Stefan, I'm looking forward to becoming a grandmother. You and Damon were destined for each other from the moment you met at the psychiatric hospital, and the child you carry in you is proof that your love is the greatest healer of all."

Elena felt tears stinging her eyes at Elisabetta's words and tried to keep them at bay so as not to smudge her mascara. "It is, isn't it?"

Groom's Dressing Room – That Same Moment...

Damon tapped his foot on the floor as he looked at the paper he had written his vows on. He and Elena discussed writing their own vows, but they also agreed not to look at what was written until the ceremony, regardless of the temptation. Damon had been tempted to look at what Elena had written, but knew that if he looked, she'd get pissed at him.

Alaric noticed how nervous he was from where he stood. The lawyer had volunteered to be Damon's best man since he didn't seem to have one available. "Calm down, Damon, you're going to do great out there today."

"I just want everything to be perfect, Ric."

"You're worrying too much," said Alaric. "Listen to me, okay? You're getting married, not giving a valedictorian speech at a graduation ceremony."

Damon forced a smile at that. "I know, but I just feel nervous. This is something new for me. I've never felt anything like this before. I was locked in a psychiatric hospital for three years and life seemed to pass me by. There was a time where I thought I'd never be happy again. Then, Elena, walked into my room and it was though God had answered every single one of the prayers I prayed during my imprisonment."

Alaric smiled as well and was about to say something when Elisabetta opened the door. "Elena's almost ready, you two. You can head out into the sanctuary."

"Thank you, Elisabetta," said Alaric. "We're on our way out now."

Elisabetta nodded and walked away, after which Alaric looked at Damon, nodding at him and they exited the room, heading toward the sanctuary. Upon arrival, they took their place at the altar, greeted by the friendly smile of Pastor Young. No sooner did Damon and Alaric take their positions than they saw Elisabetta take her place on the other side of the altar, after which the bride part of the wedding march began to play and Elena was seen walking down the aisle. Damon smiled with pride as he saw her coming toward him. She looked so beautiful in her dress, which gently hugged her pregnant belly and concealed it. Thankfully, she wasn't showing yet, so there was little need for adjustments.

Once she was close enough, Damon went toward her and took her hand, leading her the rest of the way to the altar, whispering in her ear, "You look beautiful, cara mia."

Elena smiled at him and whispered, "Thank you, Damon. You look nice too."

Damon returned her smile and was tempted to kiss her, but because they hadn't been declared husband and wife yet, he couldn't, so he opted to kiss her knuckles as they got up to the altar. Once they arrived at their destination, Elena handed her bouquet to Elisabetta, after which Pastor Young started the ceremony.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to witness the union of Damon Joseph Salvatore and Elena Michelle Gilbert in the bonds of holy matrimony. The bride and groom have each written vows that they will share with each other now."

Damon took Elena's other hand and looked lovingly into her eyes. "Before I met you, I didn't know if I would ever be happy again, or if there would ever be light in my life again. Then, you came and everything changed. You made me have hope again, that I would see the light of day again. I'm proud to be standing here today to become your husband. I promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect you and our child every day of our lives. I love you, Elena, and I always will."

Elena listened to his vows and again, tried to fight her tears. Once she had some control, she took a deep breath and began her vows. "Until I met you, my life was routine, getting up and going to work. The day I met you changed everything and it made me question not only my life, but also my career. I was determined to save and to prove that you were more than just a number. Today, I am proud to be standing here before you to become your wife. I love you so much, Damon. You and our child mean the world to me and I will never leave either of you, ever."

Pastor Young nodded and then had Alaric and Elisabetta bring up the rings. Damon took the one for Elena and Elena took the one for Damon. Pastor Young looked at Damon and said, "Damon, place the ring on Elena's finger and say, 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"

Damon nodded and placed the ring on Elena's finger, saying, "With this ring, I thee wed."

Pastor Young looked at Elena and said, "Elena, place the ring on Damon's finger and say, 'With this ring, I thee wed.'"

Nodding, Elena placed the ring on Damon's finger, saying, "With this ring, I thee wed."

Pastor Young smiled. "By the power invested in me by the state of Virginia, I now pronounce you husband and wife." He looked at Damon. "Damon, you may kiss your bride."

Damon didn't have to be told twice and pulled Elena into his arms, kissing her passionately. Elena smiled against his lips and returned his kiss, moaning softly as their tongues danced. While they kissed, the congregation applauded, but they drowned out the applause, focusing only on each other.

Outside the Church – That Same Moment...

Katherine sat in her car, staring out the window at the church, clutching the envelope in her hand. She was here because she had found out about her and a woman named Elena. It turned out that not only did she give her blood to survive, but they were also related, twins born to a woman named Isobel Flemming, who died in childbirth and the girls were separated and adopted by different families: Elena by the Gilberts and Katherine by the Mikaelsons.

The thing is, how the hell was she going to tell her that they were sisters? And if she did tell her, would she believe her? Katherine was still thinking about it when she saw Damon and Elena coming out of the church, hand in hand. They looked happy and Katherine bit her lip, reluctant to reveal herself.

Sighing, she decided to drive away. Now isn't the time, she thought. I don't have a plan yet. I'll have plenty of time to plan it while Elena is on her honeymoon.

~ END

Note: With that, I will bring "Insanity in Love" to an end. I might do a sequel to it. I don't have a title yet, but once I do have one, I will be starting it and it will. As I said in the first note, I hope that you enjoyed this journey as much as I did.