Chapter 26 (Alternate Ending)

Charlotte's POV

I closed my eyes and knocked on the door before I lost my nerve.

"Come in." he said softly. I opened the door and leaned against the doorframe.

"Can we talk?" I asked looking down at the floor.

"Sure." He answered. I nodded and walked in the room and shut his door. I walked over and sat at the end of his bed criss-cross style while he was stretched out on the other side of his bed.

I looked down trying to figure out where to begin. I looked up to see Damon looking at me expectantly.

"Sorry, I'm trying to figure out where to begin." I said sheepishly.

"It's alright. Take your time." He said understandingly, a tone I haven't heard much from him.

"Do you remember when I was explaining who the three people were that visited me?" I asked him. He nodded. "And how I said one of them was someone personal?"

"Yeah, but you don't have to tell who it is." He assumed.

"Actually, I kind of do." I asked to him. He looked at me confused. "It's not someone personal to me as much as it is to you." I started explaining.

"I don't know very many ghosts that actually like me." He said with a lazy smile.

"It was your mother." I whispered.

He sat up fast and scooted closer to me. "My mother?" he asked making sure he heard me.

"Yeah. And I didn't really want to say anything in front of everyone else until I talked to you and Stefan." I explained to him.

"Why did she visit you?" he asked confused.

"According to Rebekah, the Original witch wanted three unbiased opinions on whether or not I should live. So, I'm assuming that she volunteered to give her opinion." I explained to him.

"What did you guys talk about?" he asked as he scooted closer to me. I took a shaky breath and looked down again.

"Is it something bad?" he asked cautiously.

"No, it's not bad." I assured him quickly. "She came and visited me after you and Elena talked the other night. She wanted to assure me that your intentions were true." I confessed.

Damon blurred to the other side of the room. I looked over with sad eyes and looked down at my lap again.

"You heard everything?" he asked with no emotion.

"Yes." I said softly. I sighed and got up when he didn't say anything else. "Look, Damon, I don't expect you to-" I started to say, but he appeared in front of me before I could finish.

"Don't say that my feelings aren't real." He said sternly.

"I'm not saying that they aren't real, Damon." I snapped frustrated. "I just saying that maybe you don't love me like I love you. Maybe you said it because you think of me as a friend or a sister and you were afraid to lose me or-mmph." I started rambling but I was cut off by Damon kissing me passionately. I stood there in shock, but after a few seconds I closed my eyes and kissed him back. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled back, resting his forehead against mine.

"I love you, Charlotte Buchanan. Not like sister and not like a friend. I'm in love with you." He said looking into my eyes.

"Why did you did you reject me in Alabama?" I asked him scared of the answer.

"I was scared." I chuckled as the fear disappeared. He smiled at me. "Yes, Damon Salvatore was scared." He said rolling his eyes. "But, I was scared that if I let you in you were going to die on me. I had two women love me and then leave me. I didn't want a third." He explained truthfully.

I smiled softly and kissed him sweetly. "I'm not going anywhere, Damon." I promised him once I pulled away.

He blew out a sigh of relief. "Can you say it?" he asked. I smiled at him and wrapped my arms around him.

"I love you, Damon Salvatore." I said slowly so that he could hear me clearly.

"I know. The ladies just can't stay away." He said cockily and kissed my temple.

"And he's back. I was wondering if you really went soft on me, Salvatore." I teased him.

"Never." He said with a smirk. I laughed, but it turned into a yawn. Damon noticed and untangled his arms from my waist and tugged me towards his bed by my hand.

"You're sleeping in here tonight. Now that I have you, I'm not letting you go." He said and pulled me down onto the bed with him.

"Fine, if I must." I said dramatically and cuddled up to him. I buried and my face in his neck while he wrapped his arms around me tightly.

I vaguely heard Damon say that he loved me, but I fell into a deep sleep before I could reply.

I woke up the next morning with my back to Damon's chest and his arm wrapped tightly around my waist.

I smiled when he started kissing my neck and nuzzled it with his nose.

"Good morning." I said with a happy smile.

"A very good morning indeed." He said and flipped me so I we were chest to chest. I smiled, but then pushed him off of me and sat up because I remembered that Elijah and I were leaving for London tomorrow afternoon.

"What? What's wrong?" Damon said with a nervous edge to his voice.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered and put my head on my knees.

"Sorry about what?" he asked emotionlessly thinking that worst.

"Elijah and I are leaving." I said with tears gathering in my eyes.

"What do you mean you're leaving?" he asked, his voice mixed with nervousness, fear, and anger.

"When Elijah picked me up in Alabama," I started, but saw him wince at Alabama, "I decided that I was going to take his offer of becoming an immortal. And then I asked him if he would like to travel the world with me." I explained. Damon had a blank look on his face. "I figured since we both had nothing really here, he could show me the world. And so, he bought two tickets to London for my birthday." I explained further.

"And now I'm holding you back." He said emotionlessly.

"No, Damon you are not holding me back." I almost snapped at him. "I finally feel happy and I'm not going to ruin that." I said and quickly got out of bed.

"Where are you going, Charlotte?" he said as frustrated as I feel.

"I'm going to talk to Elijah." I said and walked to my room. I heard Damon blur into my room just as I opened the door.

"You're going on this trip, Charlotte." He said sternly. I sighed and remembered what I told Klaus.

"I don't know what I'm going to do." I confessed with a confused sigh and slid down the wall.

Damon came over and sat down next me against the wall. "I do, so listen up." I glared at him for his commanding tone. "You are going on this trip with Elijah. And I'll be here waiting when you get back." He explained to and pulled me into his lap. I sighed and buried my face in his neck.

"I'm going to miss you." I told him trying not to cry.

"You'll be distracted enough by all of the fascinating cities that you won't have time to miss me." He told me and started to run his fingers through my hair.

It was the day before my trip and Damon has my whole day planned out. From now until four o'clock, I was going to spend time with the girls. They were going to help me pack and then they were going to help me get ready for my date with Damon tonight. Damon wouldn't tell me what we were doing. So, I am currently waiting for the girls to get here by myself because Damon left to finalize plans for our date.

"Charlie! We have arrived!" Caroline shouted through the house as they walked in.

"I'm in my room!" I shouted back.

"I can not believe that you are with Damon Salvatore." Caroline said as she burst into my room. I laughed at her bluntness.

"Yeah, I can't believe it either." I told her as everybody followed her into the room.

"Thank you for getting together with Damon last night. I just won a bet!" Elena said with a smirk.

"Elena!" I exclaimed.

"What? It's Stefan's fault for making the bet." She said laughing.

"How much did you win?" I asked him.

"It doesn't involve money." She said shyly. We all made a face.

"Vampirism has made Elena bolder!" Bonnie exclaimed. We laughed at Elena's shy look.

"I think that you and Damon make a great couple, Charlotte." Morgan told me.

"Thank you, Morgan." I told him with a smile. "See, this is what a best friend is like! They support their best friend's relationship, no matter how much of an ass the man is." I told them. We all laughed.

"Alright, let's get packing!" Bonnie said excited.

"I can't believe you are traveling around the world." Caroline squealed. "I'm trying to convince Tyler to go to Paris with me." I looked over at Caroline and saw the sadness in her eyes.

"Well, Elijah and I aren't going to consistently travel for a year since I'm not planning on dying anytime soon. So, why don't just us girl's take a trip somewhere." I suggested nonchalantly. Caroline's eyes light up and she squealed.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Char." Elena said with a wink.

"Think about where you want to go." I told them.

"Ireland!" Morgan said excitedly.

"Ooh, I agree with Morgan." Bonnie said with a smile.

"I'm fine with anywhere, as long as it's not within the walls of the United States." Elena said with a smile. We all turned to Caroline.

"As long as I am away from Mystic Falls, I'm all in to go anywhere." She said with an excited smile.

"Ireland, here come two vampires, an Immortal, a witch, and our lawyer!" I teased. We all laughed.

"I'm just glad that I'm the lawyer." Morgan teased.

After five hours, the girls and I had my bags packed and I dressed up for my date.

"How do I look?" I asked them nervously and slowly spun around.

"Stunning." Bonnie said with a bright smile.

"Beautiful, Charlotte." Morgan said happily.

"Amazing, Char." Elena complimented me.

"Damon's not going to be able to keep his hands off of you." Was Caroline's response. We all laughed.

"Thanks, guys." I said nervously. "Any idea where he is taking me by chance?" I asked them hoping to get a response.

They all shook their heads with smirks on their faces.

"Some best friends." I mumbled.

"Trust me. You're going to love it." Caroline said with a secretive smile.

"I suppose I'll just have to take your word for it." I said with mock sadness and the doorbell rang. They all squealed.

"He does know that this is his house, correct?" I asked them as they ushered me downstairs. They all rolled their eyes and pushed me towards the door.

I smiled and opened it to reveal a very handsome Damon Salvatore.

"You do know that this is your house, right?" I quipped. Damon laughed.

"You wouldn't be the woman that I love without your sarcasm." He said and leaned in to kiss me. I kissed him back eagerly, but it was cut short by the four cleared throats behind us. Damon smirked as I looked down sheepishly.

"We'll be going now. Don't destroy my house." Damon told them and ushered me out the door.

We walked to his car, but before I could get in Damon had me pushed up against the door kissing me passionately.

We broke away after a few minutes panting.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" Damon asked with a smirk.

"Not yet, but I'm sure you will." I told him with a smile.

"Well then, Charlotte Buchanan, you look absolutely stunning tonight." He said as his eyes filled with love and passion.

"And you Damon Salvatore look incredibly handsome tonight." I said back to him and kissed him again.

"We have to stop or we'll never leave the house." He said between kisses.

"Fine." I pouted and pulled away from him. He smirked and opened the passenger door for me and blurred to the drivers side.

Ten minutes later, Damon was parked at the Mikaelson Mansion and I was confused.

"What are we doing here?" I asked him curiously.

"Your table awaits you inside, Miss Buchanan." He said and kissed my hand. I smiled giddily and turned towards the door when he was already standing beside me with the door open. I smiled in thanks and accepted his hand.

Dinner was perfect. Turns out it wasn't inside. It was outside in the magnificent gardens. I was blown away at what Damon set up in such a short amount of time.

At the end of dinner, I was a little depressed. Elijah and I were the next morning and I had to leave Damon. After skirting around each other for a while, it felt nice to just be open with each other.

Damon and I hardly slept that night. As soon as we got home and changed, Damon and I laid down. My head was on his chest and his arms were wrapped around my waist super tight. If I was human and still sick, some of my bones would have been broken for sure.

But, I eventually had to get up and get dressed. Damon silently followed me around as I did.

As soon as Elijah knocked on the door, Damon had me pulled into a bone-crushing hug. He told me to have fun and not to miss him too much, throwing in some sarcasm into a sad goodbye. We whispered our love for each other and he kissed me as if he wasn't going to ever see me again. (Trust me, that's what it felt like all night.) I might have shed a few tears, but he and I put on small smiles knowing that once I got back from my trip we would be okay.

Damon stayed at the house while Elijah took me to say goodbye to everyone else at Elena's house. We decided that we probably should say goodbye at the house or he would try and persuade me to stay and I just might listen.

"Charlotte?" Elijah questioned from right next to me bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah?" I asked him clueless.

"Welcome to London." He said with a smile.

I smiled happily as I looked out the airplane window and down at London below. I felt nervousness and excitement and amazement buddle up together inside me.

"It's amazing." I whispered as I finally felt free of everything that has happened to me over the past seven years.

"Just wait until we hit the ground." Elijah told me. I smiled back at him giddily, forgetting for a moment that I left my boyfriend back in Mystic Falls.

Two weeks into London and I was breathless. It was an amazing city, huge, but nevertheless amazing. It was like New York City back in the states.

Elijah and I had already seen all of the incredible sights. And he showed me some things that he had personally found over the years. He took me to the smaller places around England too.

I was currently sitting in my room in the suite that Elijah booked us.

"Charlotte." Elijah called out from behind me door even though he could hear me.

"Come in." I told him.

"I'm meeting up with a friend right now. Will you be alright here?" he asked nervously.

"Yeah, sure." I assured him raising an eyebrow at his nervousness. "Is this friend a vampire?" I asked curiously.

"Yes, we met in the 1500's. She has been-" he started, but I jumped out of bed and blurred over to him.

"This friend is a woman?" I asked him coyly.

I swear he blushed. "Yes." He said uncomfortable.

"Is she your girlfriend?" I teased him childishly.

"I did court her in the 1500's when Klaus and I were here, but we stopped seeing each because I needed her safe from Klaus at the time." He explained nervously.

"Why are you so nervous?" I asked slyly.

"No reason." He told me with a calm demeanor.

"Mm-mh. Do you need me to be gone when you get back? I can find something to do for a few hours if you are going to bring her back." I told him wiggling my eyebrows. He looked taken aback.

"I know what you're insinuating Charlotte and I would never-" he started to lecture.

"Oh, come on, Elijah. It's been over 500 years. You really think that she just wants to be friends if she's meeting you for the first time after Klaus died." I explained to him the method of girl logic. He gave me a doubtful look. I sighed.

"Do you still love her?" I asked. He nodded without hesitation. "Does she still love you?" I asked.

"I certainly hope so." He said nervously.

"Then I really don't see a problem." I told him. He still looked nervous. "Look Elijah, you deserve to be happy. After everything you've done for others in your looong lifetime, you deserve to finally have something in return." I explained to him gently. He smiled hopefully.

"Thank you, Charlotte." He said grateful.

I waved it off teasingly. "Off you go. I have a phone call with Damon right now and you have a date."

"Alright." He said reassuring himself and smiled. I smiled as he was out the door and my phone started vibrating.

"Hello!" I answered excitedly.

"Somebody's happy to hear my voice today." Damon teased. I smirked.

"No, it's not you. It has something to do with Elijah." I teased him with real information.

"Oh, really." Damon said deflated.

"Elijah has a girlfriend." I blurted out because I couldn't keep it in.

"What?!" he asked in disbelief. "How the hell did he manage to do that?"

"I don't know, but I think it's great. They met in the 1500's and he had to leave her so Klaus didn't kill her. It's like Romeo and Juliet, but everyone's alive in the end." I told him with a smile.

Damon scoffed. "I'm in love with a hopeless romantic."

"Yeah, and you better get used to it." I teased him.

"So, when are you guys leaving dreary London?" he asked with a sigh.

"In a week. We explored London, Wales, parts of Scotland, and I few historical cities around England." I explained.

"So, where to next Ireland?" he asked.

"Nope. That is a trip the girls and I made to go together." I told him.

"You're going to leave me again?" he mock whined.

"Yes, but this time I'm only going to be gone for two weeks max." I comforted him. "Anyway, next is France! We are going to Paris and Versailles for a few weeks."

"The city of love." Damon grumbled.

"Well if all works out with Elijah and his mystery lover, then you won't have to worry about being jealous." I teased.

"I'm not jealous." He muttered. I scoffed, but let it go.

"How's everybody doing in Mystic Falls?" I asked curiously.

"Well, Stefan is helping Elena adjust to life as a vampire; Blondie dumped Wolfie after she caught him with another Wolfie from Florida; Morgan moved in with Ric; Bonnie has been spending the night with Gilbert; and Blondie has been cleaning out the Grill's supply of liquor." He explained.

"Okay, one, how do you know the all the gossip? And two, Tyler did what?" I asked confused.

"Blondie became mine and Ric's new drinking partner." He said nonchalantly.

"I have to call Caroline! And Ric!" I told him excited.

"You can call them after. This is me time." He told me smugly. I laughed.

"Then, what does the almighty Damon want to talk about?" I asked.

"Oh, I'm sure we can find something to entertain each other." He said seductively.

"I am not having phone sex with you." I told him popping that dream.

"Now, why do you already assume that I was talking dirty?" he asked mock offended. I laughed.

A few days later I finally convinced Elijah to let me meet Annemarie. And by convinced, I mean I badgered him until he caved.

And let me tell you that she was perfect for Elijah. She helped him get out of his comfort zone and loosen up enough without changing him.

That was two days ago and now I am waiting at an empty airport for Elijah. Apparently he has an important package coming in and someone needs to pick it up. Why is Elijah not here for his own package? Because he and Annemarie are attached at the hip. But, who can blame them, after being separated for more than 500 years.

"Miss Buchanan, the plane has just arrived and the package will be down shortly." A flight attendant informed me.

"Thank you." I said politely and mentally jumped for joy. After this, I can leave. Finally!

I stood up and tried not to look annoyed and ready to leave.

"Impatient as always, Miss Buchanan." I froze and tried to process that voice. Damon? Damon…Damon!

I spun around and saw Damon Salvatore. My Damon Salvatore standing there with a suitcase and leather jacket in hand.

I stood there stunned and Damon, of course, had a smug smirk on his face.

He mock gasped and had a shocked look on his face. "Did I just stun the great Charlotte Buchanan to silence?"

That snapped me out of my silence real quick. "Dream on, Salvatore." I sassed back and quickly closed the distance between us, kissing him.

Damon quickly let go and pulled me closer so there was virtually no space between us. But, before he could deepen it, I pulled back.

Damon groaned and tried to follow. "Wait, wait, wait. What the hell are you doing here? I though Elijah had a super important package coming?"

Damon got a cocky look on his face and responded, "What am I not important enough for you?"

I looked at him skeptically until it donned on me. "Elijah set me up. Damn, he's good."

"And she finally figures it out. Elijah thought for sure that you were onto him." Damon told me. "He figured since he reunited with Annemarie and you're guys next stop was Paris…you shouldn't go to the city of love without the person you love."

I smiled at Damon happily. "I'm really glad you're here, Damon." I told him softly.

"Me too. And I can't wait to go to Paris with you. And anywhere else you go, I'm following you, for the rest of our immortal lives." He declared seriously.

"Immortally mine." I whispered softy with a small smile at the choice of words.

"Immortally yours." He whispered back and kissed me.

Author's Note: Hey guys! Ohmygod, it's been three years. Time flies! Sorry I didn't finish the alternate ending of the story faster, but I became really uninterested in Vampire Diaries after Season 3.

I just feel like the writers are messing with the already established storylines and pairing and re-pairing the love interests. It's not fun to watch anymore. Their continuity is not that great.

So, I got out of Vampire Diaries and into MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) (and other fandoms! Seriously, I have about 40 other fanfics in progress, but MCU is the main one)! I am currently in the process of writing a series for MCU and have been since 2012 when I saw The Avengers. Yeah, I've been working on this for three years. I love my storylines and character, but the MCU keeps expanding and I keep getting newer and better ideas so everything starts changing and expanding and it's hurting my brain. Lol. My character's back story keeps getting changed and has more stuff getting added to it because MCU adds more background info and new characters and plots and holy mother of god is it hard to keep up with them. Lol. This story is super big. Like huge. Those of you who are in the MCU fandom or know about the MCU fandom and write MCU fanfiction know my pain. Or any fanfiction with an everlasting series!

But, I hope to be posting the story here and on Archive of Our Own (I'm creativewriter17 over there too!) soon. Like hopefully by September. Maybe…possibly. IDK, but I will be posting a notice on my Tumblr page (creativewriter17, again!) when one of the stories in the series is up and running.

So, that's it. But, thanks to everyone who reviewed, read, followed, and favored this story. It really means a lot. :)