Stefan

Stepping into the limelight with Elena is interesting, I am in awe of her. Every time we step out somewhere she has paparazzi in her face asking a million questions about me and who I am, she never gets angry nor does she tell them her whole life story. Elena simply smiles and continues to walk, me on the other hand? I am not used to the flashing lights, random strangers asking personal questions and following us snapping pictures. She's asked if they make me uncomfortable and I didn't lie to her, at first yes. I am however getting used to it, of course her Twitter, Facebook and Instagram followers can see everything she posts so everyone knows now that I am Stefan Salvatore, ex con and longtime boyfriend of Elena Pierce. The whole world now knows that the number one model is dating the twin brother of Silas, we knew that once it was out there that people would eat that shit up. Everyone knows that Silas is in prison, they know his crime, but they don't know that Elena is one of his victims. The only know that she started out at his agency and later retired when he was sent to prison.

She sent out a massive message on Facebook letting people know that she and I have been involved for a long time and that Silas and I haven't been on speaking terms for years. Her fans support us and have even begged that I too join the modeling world making Rebekah and Klaus on board with it, but I just want to open my tattoo shop and do what I love just like my girl does. I've asked Elena multiple times if them knowing about me, my background with prison and Silas will damage her reputation... she just kisses me and says 'fuck em'. Anyway, we've been in the apartment for a few weeks, I can honestly say that I am finally at peace. Elena and her realtor Jenna surprised me with a few commercial buildings that could be a potential tattoo shop when we met with her to do all the paperwork to get our place. Elena was nervous about finding the places without me, I kissed her and told her not to worry. She helped me find the perfect place in East Village and I've got everything I need ordered, hopefully by the New Year I'll be interviewing and hiring other artist. Good news is Caroline and Matt will be moving up here a few days after Christmas, their wedding will fall on New Year's Eve and they've both agreed to help me out in any way they can. Elena has been talking to Rebekah about Caroline, she knows how much she misses being in the business and Rebekah has agreed to talk with her brother about bringing on a new model.

It's now Christmas Eve and we're expecting the whole family today, Damon joked on the phone last night how he's going to have to drug Bonnie just to get her on the plane. Tyler is flying in solo saying that he and his girl need a break. The tree is up and all the presents are wrapped perfectly, I left out of the apartment early this morning while Elena was still sleeping so I can go get her last present. The jeweler called and said that my order's ready to be picked up, I haven't spoken to Haley in a while so I decided to invite her to grab a coffee with me.

When I walk into Starbucks she waves me over pointing to a cup of coffee that is sitting across from her at the small table. I smile and find my way over to her sitting my gift bag on the table, she looks at the label and raises an eyebrow. "What's in there?" She asks clearly surprised that I am carrying around something from Tiffany's. I shrug and take a sip of my Flat White and sigh. "It's Elena's present." Haley nods and takes a long drink of her Caramel Macchiato. I remember when we would come to here every Sunday to get away from our fosters, we still order the same drinks. "Well, what is it?" I shake my head and smirk, "No on knows but me and its staying that way until I post a picture of her wearing it." Haley snorts with an eye roll making my stomach twist. "Well, for your sake I hope that you'll be posting a picture of it." I raise an eyebrow, "Meaning?" She laughs and looks outside at the people rushing by on the sidewalk. "Meaning that you'll be very disappointed if she says no to your proposal Stefan." Leaning back into my chair I scratch my 5 o'clock shadow thinking about her words. She's irritated at my silence so I lean my elbows on the table and look her in the eyes. "Haley what the hell is going on between you and Elena? If its over her 'taking' your spot then its pretty childish." Haley matches my move and leans over the table, "I know girls like her Stefan, she loves the idea of you, but once her success and fame take her to other places, you'll be left in the dust. I don't want to see that happen to someone I care about and I do care about you Stefan." I scoff, "You may care about me Haley, but I know Elena. I've known her since she was 13 and trust me when I say that she's nothing like you described." She shrugs and goes back to her drink, "I've read up on you Stefan and I know that you were in prison for 5 fucking years. Your little girlfriend jumped up and magically met your brother and landed her a spot right in the celebrity life, does that not seem odd to you?" I shake my head no, "Not at all, she never knew about Silas, she knew that he caused problems for me and that I never wanted to talk about him. She didn't know his name or what the hell he tried to pin on me, I never told her because it was in the past and I was moving on with my life."

Sighing she finishes her drink and I don't have the stomach to touch mine now, I can't believe she's pulling this shit. Haley's always had a bitchy side to her, but this is how she acts towards me? I haven't seen her since I was 17 and this is how she wants to catch up? By talking shit about Elena? Fuck no. "Look Haley, I still consider you to be one of my best friends, but Elena and I have a lot more history than you and I do. She and I will always be connected and if you really want to get back to us being friends, you'll have to accept the woman I love. The woman who I will ask to marry me, the only woman who I want to spend the rest of my life with." Haley leans back in her seat folding her arms, "So it is an engagement ring." I stand up grabbing Elena's gift, "Actually no its not, that will be arriving right before New Year's Eve." She pales and I smile, "Thanks for the coffee." With that I leave her, I need to get back to where I belong. Back to Elena.

Elena

Stefan and I are lounging on the couch drinking some wine I got from Klaus and Elijah as a Christmas gift, Stefan was apprehensive about the drink at first. Looking at him now though, he looks like he's enjoying it. Our old traditions still take place just like they used to when we were all living in that shit hole trailer, we would all pile into the living room and watch Christmas movies we would each pick out. Stefan picked out Home Alone, we cuddled up and put it on. Now we're watching my favorite non animated Christmas movie It's a Wonderful Life, otherwise we would be watching How the Grinch stole Christmas. "Baby how would you feel if I gave you one of your presents before everyone gets here?" Stefan asks me, I sit up placing my glass on the coffee table. I turn to face him, "Do you want me to give you one of yours before they get here too?" Shaking his head Stefan leans forward kissing my lips. "I really just want to give you this one without everyone being around." I nod my head and he stands going back to our room. I lean back onto the couch and smile. Everyone always exchanges one gift on Christmas Eve, its safe to say that yes we love our traditions. I hear his footsteps coming down the hallway so I sit up straighter on the couch. Stefan is beaming a bright smile that lights up his handsome face, it always warms my heart to see this look on him. Don't get me wrong the brooding and pissed off look is sexy as hell sometimes, but this look is my favorite. It tells me that he's 100 percent happy and that makes me even more happy.

Sitting down next to me Stefan caresses my face, "God you're beautiful." I lean into his warm hand and smile. "Ok as lame as this is going to sound just do it anyway alright?" I nod and wait for his next move. Sighing Stefan scoots closer to me, "Close your eyes." I giggle but I close my eyes. I count to three in my head and then he says, "Open them." Excitement bubbles inside me as I open my eyes, the first thing I see are Stefan's amazing green eyes. "Merry Christmas." I look down and gasp, the necklace that I've been wanting is sitting right in front of me. The light blue Tiffany box is holding it perfectly. I look up to see Stefan smiling and I leap into his arms kissing him senseless. "I love it Stefan!" he chuckles and kisses me back. "I'm glad sweetheart." Tears come to my eyes as he picks it up out of the safety of the box, "Want to wear it?" I nod my head and choke on a sob. "Yes." I turn my back to him, Stefan's fingers move my hair over my shoulder and I shiver from the kiss he leaves on my neck. His clasps the necklace and I clutch it in my hand. When I look back at him I can detect a little bit of a glaze in his eyes, "For our baby in heaven." He whispers. I couldn't love him anymore than I do. He's the perfect man for me, the only one who knows me in and out. Just as I know him the same way. The necklace is platinum with a Sapphire stone, its a Elsa Peretti Color by the Yard necklace. When I found out I was pregnant I learned that I conceived the baby on New Year's Eve, my due date was September 22nd, I was 3 weeks along when Stefan was arrested and was 7 weeks when I lost the precious life we created. Stefan knew that I wanted a necklace with the baby's birthstone in it and when I had seen this one, I knew that it was perfect.

"Stefan, you're the most amazing man ever and I am so happy to call you mine." I lean into him and snuggle, Stefan holds me in his strong and loving arms tightly. "Don't let me go." I whisper. Lifting my chin so I can look him in the eyes his whispers back. "Never." As our lips meets in a sweet and tender kiss, we hear the voices of our family at the door.