The Return: Nightfall Chapter 14

Elena woke up the next morning in Stefans narrow love. She recognized this onward she was fully awake and hoped to heaven that she had given Aunt Judith some well-founded excuse last night. Last night the very concept was extremely fuzzy. What had she been dreaming to fuck off this wakening seem so extraordinary? She couldnt esteem jeez, she couldnt remember anythingAnd therefore she remembered everything.Sitting up with a jolt that would make sent her flying off the bed had she attempted it yester mean solar day, she searched her recollections.Daylight. She remembered daylight, full light on her and she didnt declare her ring. She took a frantic look at both hands. nonering. And she was sitting up in a shaft of sunlight and it wasnt hurting her. It wasnt possible. She knew, she remembered with a primitive memory that pervaded every cell of her body, that daylight wouldkill her. She had learned that less(prenominal)on with a single touch of a sunbeam to her hand. She wo uld neer forget the searing, scalding pain the touch had imprinted a behavior on her forever. Go nowhere with bulge out the lapis lazuli ring that was beautiful in itself, but more beautiful in the knowledge that it was her savior. Without it, she might, shewouldOh.Oh.But she alreadyhad , hadnt she?Shed died.not simply Changed as she had when shed become a vampire, but died the true death that no one came back from. In her own personal philosophy, she ought to obtain disintegrated into anonymous atoms, or gone straight to hell.Instead she hadnt reallygone anywhere. Shed had some dreams most fatherly or motherly people giving her advice and of wishinging very often to foster people, who were suddenly much easier to understand. School bully? She had watched sadly as his drunken father took his own outrages out on him night after night. That girl who never got her homework done? She was expected to raise three young sisters and brothers while her mother lay in bed all day. Jus t getting the corrupt fed and cleaned took all the time she had. There was unendingly a reason behind any behavior, and now she could see it.She had even communicated with people through their dreams. And then one of the Old Ones had arrived in Fells Church, and it was all she could do to stand his interference in the dreams and not run away. He caused the humans to call for Stefans help and Damon had by the way been summoned, too. And Elena had helped them all she could even when it had been almost unbearable, because Old Ones knew about love and which buttons to push and how to make your enemies run in all the right directions. But they had fought him and they had won. And Elena, in difficult to heal Stefans mortal wounds, had somehow ended up mortal again herself naked, lying on the ground of the Old Wood, with Damons jacket all over her, while Damon himself had disappeared without time lag for thanks.And that awakening had been of basic things things of the senses touch, taste, hearing, sight and of the heart, but not of the head. Stefan had been so good to her.And now, what am I? Elena said aloud, staring as she turned her hands over and over, marveling at the solid, mortal flesh that obeyed the laws of gravity. Shehad said that shed give up flying for him. Someone had taken her at her word.Youre beautiful, Stefan answered absently, not moving. Then suddenly he rocketed up.Youre talk of the townI know I am.And making senseThank you kindly.And in sentencesIve noticed.Go on, then, and say something long please, Stefan said as if he didnt believe it.Youve been break out too much with my friends, Elena said. That sentence has bonnys impudence, lustrelessnesss courtesy, and Merediths affirmence on the facts.Elena, its youInstead of keeping up the silly dialogue with Stefan, itis me Elena stopped to think. Then, carefully she got out of bed and took a step. Stefan hastily looked away, handing her a robe.Stefan? Stefan?Silence.When Stefan turned more or less after a decent interval, he saw Elena kneeling in the sunlight holding the robe.Elena? She knew that to him, she looked homogeneous a very young angel in meditation.Stefan.But youre crying.Im human again, Stefan. She lifted a hand, let it fall into the clutches of gravity. Im human again. No more, no less. I guess it just took me a few days to get fully back on track.She looked into his eyes. They were always suchgreen green eyes. Like green crystal with some offside light behind them. Like a summer leaf held up before the sun.I derriere read your mind.But I gitt read yours, Stefan. I can only get a general sense, and even that may be goingwe cant count on anything.Elena, I have all I want in this room.He patted the bed.Sit by me and I can say all I want is on this bed.Instead she got up and threw herself at him, arms around his neck, legs tangled with his. Im still very young, she whispered, holding him tightly. And if you count it in days, we havent had many days together care this, but Im still furthermost too old for you. But to be able to look at you and seeyou looking back at me Tell me youll love me forever.Ill love you forever.No occasion what happens.Elena, Elena Ive loved you as mortal, as vampire, as pure spirit, as spiritual child and now as human again.Promise well be together.Well be together.No. Stefan, this isme . She pointed to her head as if to emphasize that behind her gold-flecked blue eyes there was a bright active mind spinning in overdrive. Iknow you. Even if I cant read your mind I can read your face. All the old fears theyre back, arent they?He looked away. I will never leave you.Not for a day? Not for an hour?He hesitated and then looked up at her.If thats what you really want. I wont leave you, even for an hour. Now he was projecting, she knew, for she could hear him.I ignition you from all your promises.But, Elena, I mean them.I know. But when you do go, I dont want you to have the guilt of breaking them lo oming over you as well.Even without telepathy, she could place what he was thinking to the tiniest shade of a nuanceHumor her. After all, shed just woken up. She was probably a little confused. And she wasnt interested in becoming less confused, or in making him less confused. That must be why she was nipping his chin gently. And kissing him. Certainly, Elena thought, one of the two of them was confused.Time seemed to expand and then stop around them. And then nothing was confusing at all. Elena knew that Stefan knew what she wanted, and he wanted whatever she wanted him to do. bonny stared at the numbers on her phone, concerned. Stefan was calling. Then she ran a hasty hand through her hair, fluffing the curls out, and took the video call.But instead of Stefan it was Elena. comely started to giggle, started to tell her not to play with Stefans grown-up toys and then she stared.Elena?Am I going to get this every time? Or only from my sister-witch?Elena?Awake and good as new, Ste fan said, getting in the picture. We called as soon as we woke up Ele but its noon Bonnie blurted out.Weve been occupied with this and that, Elena cut in smoothly, and oh, wasnt it good to hear Elena talk that way Half innocent and wholly smug about it, making you want to shake her and beg her for every wicked detail.Elena,Bonnie gasped, using the nearest wall for support, and then sliding down it, and allowing an armload of socks, shirts, pajamas, and underwear to consume down onto the carpet, while tears began to leak out of her eyes. Elena, they said youd have to leave Fells Church will you?Elena bridled. They saidwhat ?That you and Stefan would have to leave for your own good.Never in this worldLittle lovely lo began Stefan, and then abruptly he stopped, opening and shutting his mouth.Bonnie stared. It had happened at the bottom of the screen, out of sight, but she could almost protest that Stefans little lovely love had just elbowed him in the stomach. Ground zero, two o clock? Elena was asking.Bonnie snapped back to reality. Elena never gave you time for reflection. Illbe there she cried.Elena, Meredith breathed. And then Elena like a half-chocked sob. ElenaMeredith. Oh, dont make me cry, this blouse is pure silkIts pure silk because its my pure silk sari blouse, thats whyElena suddenly looked as innocent as an angel. You know, Meredith, I seem to have grown much taller lately If the end of that sentence is so it really fitsme better Merediths voice was threatening then Im warning you, Elena Gilbert She broke off, and both girls began to laugh and then to cry. You can have it Oh, you can have itStefan? Matt waved his phone first cautiously, then banging it into the wall of the garage. I cant see He stopped, swallowed. E-le-na? The word came out slowly, with a pause between each syllable.Yes, Matt. Im back. Even up here. She pointed to her forehead. Will you meet with us?Matt, leaning on his newly purchased, almost-running car, was muttering, Thank God, thank God, over and over.Matt? I cant see you. Are you okay? Shuffling sounds. I think he fainted.Stefans voice Matt? Shereally wants to see you.Yeah, yeah. Matt lifted his head up, blinking at the phone. Elena, ElenaIm so sorry, Matt. You dont have to come Matt laughed shortly. Are yousure youre Elena?Elena smiled the smile that had broken a thousand hearts. In that case Matt Honeycutt, I insist that you come and meet with us at Ground Zero at two oclock. Is that more like it?I think youve almost got it down. The old Elena empurpled Manner. He coughed theatrically, sniffed, and said, Sorry Ive got a little cold or allergies, maybe.Dont be silly, Matt. Youre bawling like a bollix up and so am I, Elena said. And so were Bonnie and Meredith, when I called them. SoIve been crying n early on all day and at this rate Ill have to scramble to get a picnic ready and be on time. Merediths planning to pick you up. Bring something to drink or eat. Love yaElena put down the ph one, breathing hard.Nowthat was tough.He still loves you.Hed rather that I stayed a baby all my life?Maybe he liked the way you used to say hello and good-bye.Now youre teasing me. Elena quivered her chin.Never in this world, Stefan said softly. Then, suddenly, he grabbed her hand. coiffe on were going shopping for a picnic and a car, too, he said, pulling her up.Elena startled both of them by flying up so rapidly that Stefan had to grab her by the waist to keep her from shooting toward the ceiling.I thought you had gravitySo did I What do I do?Think sinister thoughtsWhat if it doesnt work?Well buy you an anchorAt two oclock Stefan and Elena arrived at the Fells Church graveyard in a brand-new red Jaguar Elena was wearing tenebrous glazees under a scarf with all her hair pinned up under it, a muffler around her lower face, and black lace mitts borrowed from Mrs. Flowers younger days, which she admitted she didnt know why she was wearing. She made quite a picture, Meredith said , with the violet sari top and jeans. Bonnie and Meredith had already spread a cloth for a picnic, and the ants were sampling sandwiches and grapes and low-fat pasta salad.Elena told the story of how she had woken up this morning, and then there was more hugging and kissing and crying than the males could stand.You want to see the woods around here? oppose if those malach things are around? Matt said to Stefan.Theyd better not be, Stefan said. If the trees this far from where you had your accident are infested Not good?Serious trouble.They were about to go when Elena called them back.You can stop looking all male and superior, she added. Suppressing your emotions isbad for you. Expressing them keeps you well balanced.Listen, youre tougher than I thought, Stefan said. Having picnics at a cemetery?We used to find Elena here all the time, Bonnie said, pointing to a nearby headstone with a celery stick.Its my parents gravesite, Elena explained simply. After the accident I always fel t closer to them here than anywhere. I would come here when things got bad, or when I needed to have a question answered.Did you ever get any answers? Matt asked, taking a home-preserved cucumber pickle from a glass jar and passing the jar on.Im not sure, even now, Elena said. She had taken off the dark glasses, muffler, headscarf, and mitts. But it always made me feel better. Why? Do you have a question?Well yeah, Matt said unexpectedly. Then he flushed as he suddenly found himself the center of attention. Bonnie trilled over to stare at him, the stalk of celery at her lips, Meredith scooted in, Elena sat up. Stefan, who had been leaning against an elaborate headstone with unconscious vampire grace, sat down.What is it, Matt?I was going to say, you dont look right today, Bonnie said anxiously.Thankyou , Matt snapped.Tears pooled in Bonnies brown eyes. I didnt mean But she didnt get to finish. Meredith and Elena drew in protectively around her in the solid phalanx of what they ca lled velociraptor sisterhood. It meant that anybody messing with one of them was messing with them all.Sarcasm instead of chivalry? Thats hardly the Matt I know. Meredith spoke with one brow raised.She was only trying to be sympathetic, Elena pointed out quietly. And that was a cheap comeback.Okay, okay Im sorry reallysorry, Bonnie he turned toward her, looking ashamed It was a close thing to say and I know you were only trying to be nice. I just I dont really know what Im doing or saying. Anyway, do you want to hear the thing, he finished, looking defensive, or not?Everyone did.Okay, here it is. I went to visit Jim Bryce this morning you remember him?Sure. I went out with him. Captain of the basketball team. sensitive guy. A little bit young, but Meredith shrugged.Jims okay. Matt swallowed. Well, its just I dont want to gossip or anything, but Gossip the three girls commanded him in unison, like a Greek chorus.Matt quailed. Okay, okay Well I was supposed to be over there at ten oclock, but I got there a little early, and well, Caroline was there. She was leaving.There were three little shocked gasps and a sharp look from Stefan.You mean you think she spent the night with him?Stefan Bonnie began. This isnt how proper gossip goes. You never just outright say what you think No, Elena said evenly. Let Matt answer. I can remember enough from before I could talk to be worried about Caroline.More than worried, Stefan said.Meredith nodded. Its not gossip its necessary information, she said.Okay, then. Matt gulped. Well, yeah, that was what I thought. He said shed come early to see his little sister, but Tamra is only about fifteen. And he turned bright red when he said it.There were sober glances between the others.Carolines always beenwell, sleazy began Bonnie.But Ive never heard that she even gave Jim a second glance, finished Meredith.They looked to Elena for an answer. Elena slowly shook her head. I certainly cant see any terrene reason for her visi ting Tamra. And besides she looked up quickly at Matt youre holding out on us somehow. What else happened?Somethingmore happened? Did Caroline flash her lingerie? Bonnie was laughing until she saw Matts red face. Hey cmon, Matt. This isus . You can tell us anything.Matt drew in a deep breath and shut his eyes.Okay, well as she was going out, I think I think Carolinepropositioned me.She didwhat ?She wouldnever How, Matt? Elena asked.Well Jim thought shed left, and he went to the garage to get his basketball, and I turned around and suddenly Caroline was back again, and she said well, it doesnt matter what she said. But it was about her liking football better than basketball and did I want to be a sport.And what did you say? Bonnie breathed, fascinated.I didnt say anything. I just stared at her.And then Jim came back? Meredith suggested.No And then Caroline left she gave me this look, you know, that made things bewitching clear as to what she meant and thenTami came in. Mat ts honest face was flaming by now. And then I dont know how to say it. Maybe Caroline said something about me to make her do it to me, because she sheMatt. Stefan had scarcely spoken until this point now he leaned forward and spoke quietly. Were not asking just because we want to gossip. Were trying to find out if theres something seriously wrong happening in Fells Church. So please just tell us what happened.