"True love stories never have endings."

Richard Bach

Elena POV

"I don't understand. You and Damon aren't together but you're together?"

"Now you're making me confused." Caroline and I sat down outside the Grill waiting for our waiter. We had just gotten back from a six hour flight that really took its toll on us. "What I'm saying is there is no possible way you are going to be setting me up on any more dates."

"Because you're taken?"

"I'm not taken."

"This is so confusing! Why are you doing this to me?"

"You think it's confusing for you, try being in my shoes. He knows I love him and he says stuff that- well stuff that I've been wishing for since I was a kid."

"Well he's definitely into you."

"I just wish this wasn't a big waiting game. I wish everything wasn't life or death. Wouldn't most people want to take advantage of the time we have?"

"You see that he's doing this all for you, right? He doesn't want to hurt you."

"How can he not being with me, spare me? If he… If he dies, it's not going to hurt any less. I would want these last moments."

"He's not going to die Elena."

"I've been telling myself those words on a regular basis. It's starting to get harder and harder to believe in them. Maybe it's for the best things stay the way they are."

"Have I ever told you that when we first met you drove me crazy?"

"What?" I gasped in shock.

"You were everything every guy wanted, what every girl wanted to be. Of course once I got to know you I fell in love with you too," she giggled a bit before continuing, "You are that girl that loves whole heartedly and doesn't hold back for anything. Don't you forget that. Don't let Damon forget that."

"So you're saying…"

"Don't give up and don't count yourself out. It's not you."

As I was thinking over her words I glanced at the people walking down the sidewalk; going about their normal lives. Hopefully one day it will be like that again for me.

"Giuseppe?" I gasped when seeing Damon's father getting out of his car that was parked right in front of the Grill. He was on the phone but once I caught his attention he immediately hung up.

"Elena, I was just looking for you." He walked up to our table and I could see Caroline visibly stiffen.

"Really?"

"I was wondering if you could have a chat with my son. We seem to be having a disagreement."

Last thing I heard was Damon was going to set Giuseppe straight. I didn't get any time for him to tell me the rest of the story.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what went on between you two but whatever it was, I stand behind Damon."

"I'm not doing anything wrong. That's where Damon is confused."

"The situation doesn't look great. Last time Damon and I were at the hospital we saw you talking to the Fell family." Over a year ago Logan Fell got into a deadly car crash that only he survived; technically. He was brain-dead but no one in his family, or the community had the heart to see him go, even if he wasn't really there.

"I am only trying to do what's best. That Fell boy isn't waking up anytime soon and there is a huge chance that Damon will get his heart.."

"That's someone's family. We don't get to make those choices."

"It would be best for all of us, Elena. You know this. That family is swimming in debt, we need a heart and they have one."

"And I bet you have enough money to make that debt go away." His silence was only conformation of the suspicions that everyone had. "I get it Giuseppe. I really do. But Damon doesn't want that. I'm not going to convince him otherwise."

"You guys are making a mistake. This is his only chance." With that he walked away towards the entrance of the Grill, leaving Caroline and I both speechless.

"I don't understand why you get to wear sweats while I have to dress up," I complained to Caroline as we sat outside the boarding house in her car. She was rummaging through her purse, ignoring my complaints.

"You look hot. Why does it matter? Besides, I'm sure Damon will appreciate it."

"Don't you think it's a little much for just having a barbeque with the guys?"

"No such thing as being too hot, Elena."

"It looks like I'm trying hard."

"You are trying hard. Didn't we just have this discussion? Now stop whining."

"Okay, alright," I sighed while checking my reflection one more time in the mirror. "We should probably go in; we were supposed to be here ten minutes ago." I got out of the car and started to walk down the pathway to the house before stopping when noticing Caroline wasn't following.

"Uh, I forgot the beer," she said out the window.

"That's fine. I'm not going to drink and no one's going to let Damon drink."

"No, I promised I would bring it."

"Caroline, I'm sure they'll understand."

"I'll be back." She started backing out of the driveway before I could protest anymore.

Now I had to walk in there looking all fancy-dancy by myself?

I knocked on the door, waiting a few seconds before walking in. "Hello?" I called into the almost fully darkened room. I shut the door behind me while straining my eyes and heading towards the distant glow coming from the room down the hall. "Damon?" I walked past the room and stopped dead in my tracks at what I saw.

The dinning room table was set for two and the only form of light was the candles lit all around the room.

"You're late."

"What is all this?" I whispered while looking around the room then back to Damon.

"I told you I owed you." He pulled out the chair in front of me and for a moment I didn't know what to say or do. I sat down and took in my surroundings again.

Was this a date? I certainly couldn't see Damon wine and dinning Alaric like this but I didn't have the courage to ask.

"You had Caroline in on this, didn't you? She was driving me crazy today. It took her an hour to convince me to dress up. I'm glad I did."

"I'm surprised she could keep her mouth shut. I thought for sure the beans would be spilled."

"This is really sweet. No one has ever done something like this for me."

"I just thought you deserved something nice."

I glanced down at the spaghetti on my plate and smiled at all the memories I had growing up in this house and eating Damon's mom's spaghetti almost every night.

"Please tell me this is your mom's recipe?"

"Yep, it's the famous Salvatore sauce. Dig in." Before taking a bite, I took Damon in. He was trying. He was trying so hard but I knew him better. Something was off about him. His natural smirks were a little forced and he's never fully relaxed since I've gotten here. I watched as he readjusted in his seat, trying to get more comfortable.

"So what did you do when I was gone?" I asked, trying to get his mind off whatever was going on with him.

"I spent my time sleeping and waiting for you to come back."

"The whole time I was gone I wanted to be back here right away. I don't know how we did it going three years without seeing each other when I can barely go three days now."

"Me neither. I don't know how I survived without you. I need you."

"I'm always going to need you too." I looked into his eyes and for a moment, just a moment, everything seemed okay. The moment was easily broken when I realized he hasn't touched his food yet. "Are you hungry?"

"I-uh, not anymore," he said lightly after taking a deep breath. He was doing that a lot lately. As if trying to catch his breath every once in a while.

"Are you feeling sick?"

"No, it's fine. It's probably just my medication acting up on me again. I'm not going to let it ruin this night. I refuse."

"I'm just worried."

"Don't be. Now go ahead and tell me how great my cooking is."

"It is delicious; way better than any restaurant but… not as great as your mothers." He gave a slight laugh while shaking his head.

Throughout the dinner I was doing my best to keep him occupied. I could tell he wasn't feeling good and if he wasn't so stubborn I would make him go lay down. I knew if I even suggested that he would get upset so I didn't mention it.

"So I lost the bet and for the Halloween party Caroline made me go in this little hotdog costume and all you could see was my face. It was so embarrassing! It was my first year there, I didn't know anyone at the party and then suddenly I lose Caroline in the crowd and I'm stuck in some kitchen with a drunken guy who kept trying to put ketchup on me." By this time I had Damon full on laughing and hopefully his pain had been pushed into the back of his head.

"I would have loved to see that!"

"Knowing you, you would have been completely sober and be putting ketchup on me and calling me a weenie for years."

"I would have covered you in it. We have to make a bet so I can make you do this again."

"That's the only bet I've ever lost! If she lost all I was going to do was make her go TP this sorority house we both hated. I wish that's what she made me do."

"It's a good thing you didn't because you suck at it. Remember after that big football game, you came to TP the house because of Stefan and-"

"My toilet roll went through your window and hit you!" We both couldn't contain our laughter again and I had to wipe some of the tears away. "I was trying to be so conspicuous. It didn't work."

"Oh God, I love you," he said in-between his laughter and suddenly we both went silent. We stared at each other for a brief moment, not knowing what to say before without missing a beat we both burst into laughter again.

It was after dinner that the laughter stopped and the pain I was desperately trying to hold off, crept back up on him. He wouldn't admit it but every once in a while I saw him discreetly clutching his chest. Stefan told me that lately his chest pain was starting to get worse but my gut instinct told me something was far more wrong here. There was more going on.

I handed him a dish to dry before suddenly it crashed to the floor and he was grasping the counter top to balance himself.

"Are you okay?" I gaped while holding him upright. "What happened?"

"Just a little dizzy," he barely mumbled.

"Damon have you been having chest pain?"

"No, just a little bit discomfort." He was able to upright himself and attempted to bend down to grab the broken dish before I stopped him.

"No, no way. We are going to sit down and you're going to tell me what all going on." I led him over to the living room and forced him down on the couch.

"It's fine, Elena."

"Tell me what's been going on. What's hurting?"

"It's not hurting there's just some uncomfortable pressure in my chest that's been coming and going."

"And you're not feeling well?"

"Just a little naus-," He wasn't able to finish his sentence before groaning in pain and suddenly grasping his chest.

"You're okay," I whispered while letting him squeeze my hand. "Damon, you're having symptoms of a heart attack. We need to call for an ambulance."

I paced back and forth the familiar hospital waiting room for what felt like a lifetime. In reality it was only two hours that I had been waiting. I called Caroline and Stefan but no one answered so it was just me. They were probably both asleep right now, completely clueless as to what was going on. To be honest they were probably lucky. This pacing was beginning to drive me mad.

"I know that look," I heard someone say to me. "The coffee may suck but it helps a little bit." I turned in their direction to see a woman who was probably only a few years older than me and looked awfully familiar handing me a cup of coffee.

"Thanks," I was able to say a few moments after taking a sip of the coffee that I've gotten used to over the past few months. "I know you from somewhere."

"Oh, I'm Meredith Fell. You're Elena Gilbert, right? We've met a few times at the Founder events."

"Oh yea, I'm sorry. My brains a little jumbled right now."

"It's okay, I've been there. So what are the unfortunate events that led you here?"

"I'm here with Damon Salvatore. He's… he's having a bad night."

"I see." She nodded in understanding. "Yea I heard about what's happening. I'm sorry." Everyone's heard what's going on.

"Thanks."

"You guys are dating right?"

"I-uh..." I had no idea how to answer this question. "No."

"Oh, I just... all I've heard lately is about you two."

"Really?" I asked shocked. "I forgot about small town gossip was like."

"It get's old. Before you came back and word about Damon got around all this town could talk about was my cousin."

"How's he doing?"

"He's still unresponsive and still not waking up."

"I can't imagine what you must be going through."

"I'm a doctor. I've seen this before and I know the odds. My family has been told the odds but they won't listen. He's not going to wake up, I know this. I think the only reason they leave for the night is because I promise them I'll check up on him whenever I can during my shift."

"That must be hard." She nodded before taking another sip from her cup. "Listen, I know Giuseppe has been coming around. I just want you to know that we're getting him to stop. He has no place in-"

"You don't think he's right?"

"What?" I asked dumfounded. Those were the last words I had expected to come from her mouth.

"You don't think it may be best that way? I love my cousin, but my family is suffering, you're suffering. Maybe it's time to let him go."

"That's not a decision Giuseppe, Damon, or myself can force onto you."

"I've been gently trying to convince them for a while now to pull the plug. Maybe now it would be easier to do so."

Meredith's break ended and after another hour of waiting I was finally able to see him. He had to lay flat for a few hours and was going to be in the hospital for a day or two. I tried not to let him show how scared to death I was, but to be honest, I think he saw right through me.

"Tonight didn't go the way I planned it."

"It was nice for the most part."

"No, it should have gone differently."

"How?"

"I should have been able to drive you back to your apartment and give you a kiss on the cheek. I would have told you how much fun tonight has been and how every moment we're together I'm just happy."

"Just a kiss on the cheek? That's not like the Damon Salvatore I know."

"Well maybe I would have given you a real kiss if you would have let me."

"You know I would." He grinned slightly and discovered that it may be one of my favorite things about him. "Are you feeling better? Anything hurt?"

"I'm okay right now. You're lucky it wasn't a false alarm or I would be making you pay that ambulance bill."

"I don't know if I'm ready for jokes yet."

"Well good. I don't want you joking about my possible death."

"Damon I'm serious, stop it." The uneasiness of my voice alarmed him enough to stop.

"Listen Elena," he said as he held onto my hand while looking me straight in the eye. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I just can't ever think of a world you don't exist in. I can't do it, not even joking around."

"When I first got diagnosed, I'd given up. I thought it was the end but I can't think like that anymore. I've got something to live for and I can promise you this as long as you are around I'm not leaving. I'm not going to leave you. I love you too much to do that." My eyes reached there limit as the silent tears made their way down my cheeks.

"You love me?"

"I've always had." Not caring that I probably wasn't aloud to be doing this, I crawled up onto the bed next to him and wrapped my arms around him. Forgetting about right or wrong, I kissed him with all I had to give; and suddenly everything didn't matter beside that fact that I was with him.

"I love you," He mumbled against my lips again.

"I could really get used to hearing that."

2 Days Later

I went through the bag of Damon's clothes and put them onto the bed.

"I hope you don't mind black, I know it's not really your color," I said sarcastically as I set down the clothes onto the bed that I brought from the house. Damon was finally being released and I could tell that he was a bit nervous to go home.

"I think I'll survive."

"You go change and I'm going to go call Stefan. Do you need anything else?"

"Well you know I really wouldn't mind if you wanted to help me get naked."

"I'm pretty sure you can accomplish that on your own."

"Yea, I know. That's not what I was saying though." I smiled and rolled my eyes while walking out of the room. I didn't get cell service unless I was standing near the lobby.

"Elena?" I stopped in my tracks and turned around to see Meredith out of her scrubs and in jeans.

"Are you okay?" I immediately asked when I noticed that she was crying.

"Yea, I'm… no not really." She crossed her arms and I didn't know whether to hug her or not. She didn't seem like too much of a huger.

"What happened?"

"It was his time, I just didn't… I didn't think…" She broke down again and instead of hesitating I quickly wrapped my arms around her and let her sob. "My family agreed with me. They actually did it, he's gone."

"I'm so sorry."

She let go of me wiped her face from the tears. "You should go see Damon."

"But-"

"No go," she shoved me back towards the direction I came from before some people that I assumed she worked with came up to speak with her. I didn't get to think before I was jogging down the hall way and towards Damon's room.

The moment I reached the room, I knew he knew. He never got a chance to change as he just sat there staring off into space.

"Damon?" I asked warily.

"It's really happening?" He whispered.

"Yes," I whispered on the verge of tears.

Rushing across the room he held me in his arms and squeezed me so tight I could barely breathe.

"This is it, Elena."

"I know," I gasped out.

Everything we hoped for was leading up to this one moment. This moment where suddenly we had our whole lives ahead of us again.

The End

AN: I'm so sad it's over! I hate ending stories but I just started a new one that I'll be putting all my effort into. It's called Just A Friend. Go check it out

Thank you sooooooooooooo much for sticking through this story with me!