With a genuine smile, Elena placed her hand in his, giving it a good shake the way her father had taught her. Firm, solid, but gentle.

"Elena--" Gilbert "Salvatore," she introduced herself in turn. "And thank you, thank you very much. It belonged to my parents, and my sister and I have done our best to keep it going over the years." Well, she had more so than Katherine, but Elena didn't blame her sister for that. Because none of it was real, of course.