Heart Stopped Beating

1) A Bed Fit For Two

Damon turns slowly, hopping down off the bar stool and swallowing the last mouthful of the liquor in his hand.
It no longer tastes of anything and the spice no longer burns the back of his throat.
Bourbon was his favourite drink, the mix of spice and cinnamon was as comforting however also delicious.
But now it just reminds him of emptiness, of the desolation and loneliness he feels every night as he sits in this empty bar by himself.
He grabs his leather jacket, putting his hands in his pockets and takes out a scarf. A woman's cerise pink scarf, faded and worn, but Damon treats it with such care. He pulls it up to his nose and inhales deeply the familiar scent. It's alluring, beautiful and delicate. Her smile flashes in his mind and the look of her warm, chocolate brown eyes warms his now stony heart on this cool winter evening. He takes one last look at the bar before he closes up.

Stefan's sitting in the library, reading to Elodie. Her eyes flutter closed as she enters into a deep sleep. She has a thick head of wavy, blonde hair. Stefan cradles her close as he brings her back to bed. He closes the Princess Bride and puts it onto the drawer beside him.
Caroline snores peacefully in her sleep, but wakes immediately as soon as she feels her baby enter the room.
"Did she get down okay?"
"Yes, she's fine. You need some sleep, please baby."
Caroline rolls tiredly out of bed, and joins Stefan, as they look lovingly down at their three month old daughter.
"She was worth it all."
"I know." Caroline replies, taking Stefan's hand in hers and kisses each of his knuckles in a tender show of affection.
"You are, by far, the cutest, cutest thing mommy and daddy have ever seen. We love you, Eloide Elena Salvatore."

Damon enters the boarding house, not purposely eavesdropping on anyones conversation.
He climbs the stairs, slowly, painstakingly slow. Wishing that the time would spontaneously fly past. But it doesn't. He wanders aimlessly into his bedroom, stripping naked of his clothes.
Elodie Elena? Elena. Elodie Elena Salvatore. Elena. Elodie. Elena. Elena. Elena. Elena.
He looks at the empty king sized bed sitting in the corner of his gigantic room.
A bed fit for two. A closet fit for two.
A room fit for two. But she's not there. And he doesn't want to sleep in that bed. It's empty and it's cold. It was warm and inviting when she was there, but she's not. He's alone.