Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries! I do however own Ally Gilbert and all of her plot lines!
Summary: Ally Gilbert's life changed the moment Stefan Salvatore came back to Mystic Falls to visit his nephew Zach and they happen to meet. Four months after the tragedy of her parent's deaths Ally, her fraternal twin sister Elena and younger brother Jeremy are still trying to figure out what to do with aftermath of it all. From now on, everything is going to change whether Ally likes it or not.
A/N: Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! I promise that this isn't one of your typical Elena has a twin stories! A good chunk of Ally's history with the Petrova bloodline will be revealed in this chapter! This will be an eventual Stefan/Ally story! This will be centered on season one of TVD! The external link is to the polyvore sets for the chapters! Also check out my tumblr is thelittledarkrose where I have posts for the story up if you want to check those out! The gorgeous cover was made by my very good friend Lemon! Also I noticed that the TVD writer's messed up with the whole bonfire thing in 3x22 because the day that Elena's parents died was actually a Saturday so I'm changing that little part in this story! Enjoy!
"Heading out for a run. I might stop over at the Salvatore Boarding House to see Zach. I accidentally dropped my locket into the toilet and the dried rose I had in it spilled out." Ally announced walking into the kitchen wearing one of her running outfits and her hair up in a high ponytail as she headed over to the fridge opening the door and pulling out her water bottle shutting the door behind her.
"Okay sweetie, be back before your father get's home alright?" Miranda said smiling over at her oldest daughter sitting at the kitchen table where she was working on some things for the historical society.
Dried rose was the code name for vervain which Ally and her parents used whenever Elena and Jeremy were in the house and could overhear their conversation. Case in point this time with Ally's fraternal twin sister Elena was sitting next to their mother at the table working on homework. Usually Ally and Elena ran together but Ally had finished her homework before Elena since she didn't have to work the next couple days at Mainline Coffee.
"Will do!" Ally promised smiling back before heading out passing Jeremy as he held the front door open for her as he had just walked in the house. "See you later guys!"
"Try not to have too much fun without me Allycat!" Elena called out after her causing Ally to laugh in amusement shuffling down the porch steps.
Ally jogged in place as she popped her earbuds in starting up her running playlist making sure her armband was securely wrapped around her arm so her iPod nano wouldn't fall out while running before taking off. She enjoyed running. It was a way to get away from all the pressures of life in her opinion.
Ally had always known about vampires, when she had confronted her parents about it they had been very surprised. But they had naturally assumed she had learned about though the old Gilbert journals. But that couldn't have been farther from the truth.
Ally's knowledge of vampires went back much further than than that. But to actually explain how far back would take a good amount of time and patience to understand it fully. Ally's story starts over two thousand years ago with a past life of hers when she went by the name Melina. Of course Ally only remembered being Melina thanks to a spell an old friend of hers had performed on her.
Ally's thoughts about her past lives soon faded as she stopped where she was breathing heavily taking a quick swig of her water glancing around her surroundings noticing that the clouds had gotten dark and ominous. It had been said they might get in a thunder and lightning storm later in the day but the weather had been so mild that she had forgotten all about it.
Tugging her earbuds out and hitting pause on her playlist just as heavy rain began to pour down. Gasping in surprise, she ducked under a nearby tree on the sidewalk. Yanking her iPod nano out of it's jacket which was attached to her arm she stuffed it into her sports bra where she had put her cell phone and locket before leaving the house.
Ally saw that she was thankfully only three blocks away from the Boarding House so she quickly sprinted away going as fast as she could in that direction. In a few seconds of running she was soaked to the skin. What made it worse lightning flashed not far away. Happily she spotted the driveway leading to the Boarding House and dashed up to the front door breathing heavily.
Tugging the elastic band out her hair she knocked on the front door breathing in deeply trying to calm herself down. The front door then opened revealing Zach and someone she recognized but had never officially met before.
"Hey Zach, dreamy green eyed guy." Ally greeted smiling at the two of them nervously causing them both to chuckle amusingly at that.
"Get in here you're soaked to the bone!" Zach announced grabbing Ally's arm pulling her inside the house closing the door behind them.
"Really? I hadn't noticed!" Ally replied sarcastically smiling running her fingers through her wet hair looking curiously over at the guy she called dreamy green eyed guy though she knew exactly who he was and he was looking her over just as closely.
"Oh this is my nephew Stefan, Stefan this is Ally Gilbert. Will you show her to a room so she can take a shower while I get her some dry clothes?" Zach said looking over at Stefan who nodded his head yes before Zach ran off to grab everything.
"It's nice to meet you Stefan." Ally said smiling up at him as he smiled back holding the hand not holding her water bottle out for him to shake.
"Nice to meet you too Ally. I'm sorry for staring at you but you look like someone I used to know." Stefan said shaking her hand before letting it go looking at her quizzically as he motioned for her to follow him.
"I hope I don't look exactly like them. That would be awkward." Ally replied smiling softly over at him as Stefan led her into a one of the spare rooms.
It was a large and decorated in creams and dark reds with dark wood furniture. The furniture itself were clearly antiques so Ally felt weird standing in the room while she was still very wet.
"No just very similar is all." Stefan stated still watching her closely, Ally could see that he was very confused and curious about this.
"How long are you staying in town visiting your Uncle, Stefan?" Ally asked putting the emphasis on the word uncle hoping he'd catch on as the look in Stefan's eyes flashed from confused to dumbfounded.
"You know..." Stefan whispered softly in shock looking at her pleadingly.
"I do. The reason I know is entirely different than what you're thinking. Don't worry your secret is safe with me." Ally promised brushing her sodden hair out of her eyes as she then lightly sneezed into her elbow. "Excuse me."
"Bless you. The bathroom is here so you can get out of those wet clothes and take a nice shower." Stefan said placing his hand on the middle of her back motioning with his other hand towards the bathroom door. "I'll leave the clothes Zach is bringing for you on the bed."
"Thank you." Ally gratefully whispered before walking into the bathroom closing the door behind her.
Ally pulled her cell phone, locket and iPod out of her sports bra and setting them down on the bathroom counter along with her water bottle. Pulling her armband off setting it on the counter she shrugged her shoes and socks off quickly stripping her clothes off heading towards the shower. Opening the glass door she twisted the knob turning off adjusting the temperature until it was just how she liked it. Stepping into the spray sighing softly in relief pulling the door shut.
She lost track of how long she was in there but getting out she grabbed a towel off the hanger wrapping it around herself she felt infinitely better. Gathering her wet clothes off the floor she opened the bathroom door looking around for Stefan but he wasn't there but sitting on the bed were the clothes Zach got for her. He had also left an empty laundry basket to put her wet clothes in. Huh he thinks of everything. She thought to herself smiling.
Dropping her wet clothes into the basket taking a closer look at the clothes Zach had lent her. The dark gray sweatpants wouldn't fit her at all so the long sleeve dark navy button down shirt would have to do until her clothes were dry. Unwrapping the towel she dried herself off grabbing the shirt and slipping it on over her head. The shirt was very big on her and hit her mid thigh.
Ally sighed biting her bottom lip as she ended the call. She had called her mom explaining how she had gotten caught in the storm while running. Her mom had advised her to spend the night at the Boarding House since it didn't look like the storm was letting up anytime soon and she would let her father know when he got home from work.
Ally knew her dad would call her immediately after finding that out. It was only a matter of time. Zach had come in a few minutes before she called her mother to collect the laundry basket with her wet clothes and the towel she had used. She had asked if he had a spare hairbrush or comb she could borrow along with a new batch of dried vervain for her locket. He told her he'd ask Stefan for the hairbrush before heading out to get the vervain leaving the door wide open. Hearing a knock on the door she turned her head spotting Stefan leaning against the doorframe.
"I believe you asked for one of these." Stefan said holding up a small hairbrush still in it's packaging making Ally laugh softly.
"That I did, thanks." Ally said smiling at him gratefully taking it from him.
"I have to say my shirt looks better on you than me." Stefan casually mentioned watching Ally tear open the packaging pulling the hairbrush out tossing the package into the trashcan next to the desk.
"Oh this is yours? I thought it was Zach's. It's really nice." Ally asked running the brush through her hair looking at him curiously.
"No, Zach borrowed that shirt from me a few days ago for a council meeting and I guess he forgot to give it back since he let you borrow it." Stefan explained as Ally nodded her head in understanding.
"Ah well I'm sure you'll get it back after I'm done with it. So, are you ready to hear how I know about vampires? Of course I'm not sure if you're ready to know absolutely everything." Ally said as she continued to run the brush through her hair trying to get all the tangles out. "But I will explain as much as I can for the time being."
"Well whatever you're comfortable telling me is just fine!" Stefan said nodding his head up and down firmly.
"Let me get comfortable first." Ally said climbing onto the bed sitting against the pillows at the foot of the bed tugging on the bottom of the shirt so it covered her setting the hairbrush down beside her. "There we go."
"All ready?" Stefan asked sitting down beside her on the bed crossing his legs underneath him as Ally nodded her head yes.
"Alright so I think I shall start at the beginning. It all started over two thousand years ago with two sisters. They were fraternal twins and the best of friends. Both sisters were handmaidens to a very powerful witch. The younger of the sisters her name was Amara and she fell in love with a very powerful warlock, but their love was forbidden." Ally explained as Stefan's eyes widened in amazement. "Not to mention that the man Amara fell in love with was engaged to the witch let's call her Tessa they both served. Now the older sister her name was Melina and she tried to talk her sister out of this but she knew how stubborn her sister could be. So she did everything she could to help her sister out of the goodness of her heart. Mainly because she loved her sister. But things didn't go as planned. Now Tessa didn't discover what had happened until she was left at the altar because Amara and the warlock had ran off together the day of the wedding leaving Melina to fend for herself when Tessa had discovered she had been helping them."
Ally paused so she could take a breath smiling in amusement at the baffled look on Stefan's face.
"So Tessa crafted together a plan to get revenge on the lovers. And boy did she. Tessa kept Amara alive by turning her into the anchor to the Other Side. Now the Other Side is this mysterious dimension or limbo if you will where spirits of supernatural beings reside when they die. But she needed to get her revenge on the warlock too. And to do that she used Melina for it. See Melina was married, although not entirely happily as the marriage was arranged. But it was decent. And Melina was blessed with a beautiful son named Dimitri whom she loved very much. Not that Tessa particularly cared about the husband or Dimitri considering she killed Melina in cold blood right in front of them by carving out her heart. And it was her heart Tessa showed the warlock tricking him into believing she had killed his one true love." Ally continued editing several parts of the story out as she wasn't sure if Stefan was ready to know about the immortality elixir or what happened in the wake of all that quite yet.
"Oh my God... That-that's so crazy. Wait how does this pertain to how you know about vampires?" Stefan asked shock still written across his face.
"Don't worry I'm getting to that part. Now see Melina was gifted with magic but she wasn't allowed to practice it due to her social status and no one else in her family had the gift. So technically she was a witch when she died..." Ally said as Stefan caught on to what she was saying.
"So she ended up on the Other Side." Stefan finished his eyes brewing with amazement. "Incredible. Please continue."
"Now you see because of what Tessa did she violated the rule that all things must die. So nature found a balance by creating what you would call 'shadow-selves,' or doppelgängers, who could die. After had Tessa died some time later while she was on the Other Side she did a spell on the remains of the older sister so that when the next dopplegänger of Amara was born so would the older sister. Flash forward to a thousand years later when a new dopplegänger was born with an older fraternal twin sister. Their names were Roza and Tatia Petrova. Now Roza was very close with her sister as she had been in her previous life." Ally continued smiling as spoke of one of the happiest times she had ever experienced. "She was also best friends with a boy from her village named Kol. The two of them were like family to each other. Roza was also quite close with Kol's older brother's Elijah and Niklaus and his younger sister Rebekah. Kol had another older brother Finn whom Roza barely got along with. Now that could be attributed to the fact that Roza was only eight years old and Finn was a good deal older. Now Tatia didn't get along with Kol. So when Roza was off playing with Kol and his family, Tatia would play some of the other girls in the village she knew. Now Kol was the only child in his family that had tapped into magic and he enjoyed showing Roza the things he could do. And sometimes they did spells together. One day they managed to make it rain and the two of them played together in it for a good while before Elijah came and found them and took them both home."
"Kol sounds like a good friend. But I wouldn't be surprised if one of them ended up getting sick from that." Stefan casually mentioned groaning at the grave look on Ally's face. "That's what happened right? One of them got sick?"
"Yes. Roza woke up the next morning what would be diagnosed now as the flu with a very high fever. Now today it would be very easily treatable. But that wasn't the case a thousand years ago. Tatia was sent to stay with a relative so she wouldn't fall ill also. Kol, Elijah, Niklaus and Rebekah all had tried to go over to see Roza to check on her but had been caught by their father Mikael. All four of them had begged their mother Esther who was a very powerful witch to help Roza using her magic." Ally said as she played with the hem of the borrowed shirt.
"I'm guessing Esther didn't use her magic to make Roza better..." Stefan said cautiously watching Ally sighed softly.
"Well not exactly... Esther knew that if she performed the spell she had found that would cure Roza it could cause her to lose the unborn child she carried. So with that difficult decision she didn't do the spell instead she gave Roza a concoction of herbs to make Roza even worse instead of better. Then she lied to her children saying it was up to Roza now if she got better." Ally said softly her eyes filling with tears remembering just how painful the last few days had been before she had died for the second time. "Roza begged her parents to send for Tatia because she missed her sister. But they refused. Kol and Niklaus snuck over while Roza's mother was outside cooking and her father had gone to get supplies leaving Roza in the care of Ayana, who was Esther's friend and fellow witch. Roza was so excited she begged Ayana not to say anything and to let them stay. Niklaus had carved Roza a small wooden horse which she gratefully thanked him for. Kol had placed Roza's head in his lap as he and Niklaus told her about everything that she had missed since becoming sick. Roza kept how much pain she was in to herself. Kol and Niklaus both begged her to hang on trying very bravely not to cry. Roza told them that their dark rose would always be there for them. She then said she wanted to sleep a little more but they knew better that this was it. And just like that Roza slowly drifted to sleep never to wake back up."
"How awful that must have been for them." Stefan whispered softly that Ally barely heard it.
"Hmm. That it was. Now Roza watched from the Other Side as her sister Tatia blossomed into a beautiful young woman. But she had eventually married and had a child. Now sadly her husband died in battle. The tradition was that she was supposed to throw herself onto his funeral pyre. But she did not. All the women in the village envied her. All the men wanted to be her suitor. Well all men but Kol, but Elijah and Niklaus did. Now for awhile Tatia refused to make a choice between the two of them. And for a time they grew estranged. Which irked Roza as she watched this happening." Ally said tucking her hair behind her ears as Stefan nodded his head in agreement.
"Sounds familiar." Stefan said chuckling in amusement.
"I have no doubt. Tatia would later choose Elijah. Now during this time they lived in peace with the werewolves in the village. I know what you're thinking, werewolves don't exist. Well you'd be wrong. They've just have been hunted to near extinction by vampires. So they began reorganizing into packs to evade the vampires. Now when the full moon came around the humans would hide in the underground caves while the werewolves turned so they would be safe. Now Niklaus broke that rule when he took his youngest brother Henrik out to watch the wolves turn, but tragically Henrik was attacked and killed by the turned wolves. Can you say karma? Now it was because of Henrik's death that Mikael urged Esther to tap into dark magic to perform a spell that that would create the very first vampires. Esther enchanted Tatia's blood mixed with wine. Mikael then stabbed and killed their children therefore the first vampires were created." Ally said as Stefan's eyes widened in disgust.
"Father of the year." Stefan scoffed sarcastically causing Ally to chuckle softly.
"No kidding. Now after they completed their transition things were never the same after that. They were still brand new and hadn't learned to control their thirst. Now I forgot to mention this earlier but the werewolf gene isn't triggered until they kill someone whether it's an accident or not. When Niklaus made his first kill Esther's darkest secret came to light. Niklaus was not Mikael's son, but the result of an affair with the alpha of the village. This made Niklaus a vampire/werewolf hybrid. After Niklaus' first transformation as a hybrid, he was tended to by Elijah. Unbeknownst to them both that Tatia had followed them. It was the body parts of six villagers that led her to them. Now Tatia eventually saw Niklaus covered in blood and ran away in fear causing Elijah to run after her. What happened next Elijah doesn't remember because of a spell Esther put on him. While running away Tatia tripped and cut her hand badly in the process. As I said they hadn't learned to control their thirst so the smell of Tatia's blood overpowered him, Elijah begged her to run and she did. But she didn't get far. With his new speed Elijah caught up with her and fed on her." Ally said smiling sadly as the tears rolled down her face as Stefan wiped the tears away with his hand as she smiled gratefully at him.
"He killed her didn't he?" Stefan asked as she nodded her head yes.
"When Elijah managed to stop, distraught he took Tatia to his mother in hopes she could save her. But it was too late. Esther took her from him and put the spell on him to repress his memories and gave him a washcloth so he could clean up. As long as he stayed clean no one would know what happened. And that's exactly what he did. Esther then used the remainder of Tatia's blood to cast a curse on Niklaus to bind his werewolf side and help restore the balance caused by the immense power he had gained from being both a werewolf and a vampire. From then on both Elijah and Niklaus believed Esther killed Tatia by draining her of blood to put the curse on him. What Esther did to Niklaus was truly awful but in her eyes it was the only way in her eyes." Ally said wiping away the remaining tears herself watching Stefan closely.
"How is it that you know all this?" Stefan asked incredulously looking at Ally whose face was struggling to remain impassive his eyes then widened in realization. "No... That's not possible."
"Is it really Stefan? After everything I just told you this is what you have a hard time believing?" Ally asked as Stefan placed his hand on top of hers.
"It was you wasn't it? You were Melina and Roza weren't you?" Stefan said as Ally smiled proudly at him for figuring it out.
"Ding, ding, ding we have a winner! Now I also know about you because I watched from the Other Side as the next Petrova dopplegänger, aka my dear sister Katerina or as you knew her: Katherine Pierce. And I watched as she led you and Damon on a merry chase back in 1864." Ally said smiling proudly at Stefan as he nodded his head in agreement. "Katerina always did know how to get a man's attention."
"Since you're alive again that must mean you have a twin sister who is Katherine's dopplegänger right? What's her name? And what was yours with Katherine?" Stefan asked curiously still very much in shock over everything he's learned.
"Yes I do. Her name is Elena, and mine was Serafina with Katerina." Ally answered chuckling softly. "There are some similarities between Elena and Katherine. But there are more differences I think but that may be just me."
"How so? If you don't mind me asking." Stefan said as Ally shrugged casually not bothered by the question.
"Not at all. Besides being identical they're both caring, brave, selfish, and intelligent. However Elena is compassionate, a little pushy, and empathetic. Now Katerina loves to socialize, loves to play games, has a huge sense of self-preservation, and quite the knack for creating elaborate plans and deceptions. I wish I could say I love all my sister's equally but I'd be lying. I don't have favorites but sometimes the choices they've made sometimes makes me wonder what they were thinking." Ally explained making sure she spoke her thoughts truthfully yet not wanting to sound too blunt about it.
"I definitely agree with you about what you said about Katherine. Now since I've never met Elena I will have to take your word for it." Stefan said chuckling softly smiling at her as she smiled back. "I can tell you were a good sister to them all. Hard to believe there's more than one person with that face. And you're just as beautiful I think. "
"That's so sweet of you to say Stefan. Thanks." Ally said smiling happily at Stefan who smiled back. "Well I certainly tried! Yeah my past and current sister's are all very beautiful."
"You're welcome, I only speak the truth." Stefan replied nudging Ally's shoulder playfully causing her to roll her eyes lightly at him.
"I remember watching your face when you first met Katerina. How mesmerized you looked by her beauty. Ah the dopplegängers being drawn together is still a sight to see." Ally mentioned nudging Stefan's shoulder playfully back not realizing the last thing she had said.
"Wait, what do you mean the dopplegängers being drawn to each other? I thought your past sister's after Amara were the only dopplegängers around?" Stefan asked his eyes flashing from amusement to curious in an instant.
"I don't think I said those exact words... There were also dopplegängers of the warlock that Amara fell in love with. I just didn't mention it cause I wasn't sure of how you'd react." Ally replied biting her bottom lip nervously twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
"Oh well now that you mention it that does make sense. But what does that have to do with, wait... I'm a dopplegänger of the warlock Amara loved? That's just... Wow." Stefan said getting up from the bed pacing back and forth causing Ally to chuckle wryly.
"Stefan, hey. I'm so sorry..." Ally said getting onto her knees crawling to the edge of the bed grabbing Stefan's right wrist pulling him towards her so they were facing each other again. "Now you see why I wasn't sure if I should say anything."
"It's okay. I understand. It's just so strange to hear that I'm his dopplegänger and that I used to be involved with Katherine who is a dopplegänger of Amara. Back to what I asked before. What do you mean the dopplegängers being drawn to each other?" Stefan assured Ally smiling at her as she let his wrist go placing her hands on his shoulders.
"Okay so the universe has this weird way of drawing the doppelgängers together, making them be attracted to each other, both by fate and on first sight. Case in point like when you met Katherine." Ally explained as Stefan nodded his head in agreement.
"Huh, you do have a point. When I first saw Katherine there was an immediate attraction between us." Stefan admitted as Ally chuckled smiling.
"Yeah I saw that. Once I saw her start playing you and Damon I hightailed it out of Mystic Falls and watched Kol and his family for a bit. Niklaus or Nik as Kol, Rebekah and I called him was the King Of New Orleans in those days. Of course peace wasn't easy back then. But it was interesting to watch!" Ally mentioned smiling happily in remembrance dropping her hands from Stefan's shoulders. "It's lonely on the Other Side, all you can do is watch. I swore to myself that during this life I would make sure I would keep my sister safe and to know what it's like to really fall in love and to be loved in return."
"Well from what I can tell I know you will be able fulfill that promise. And whatever guy you fall in love with would be stupid not to be as crazy in love with as you are with him." Stefan said smiling at her as she smiled back in thanks.
"Well I hope you're right." Ally replied shrugging her shoulders.
Soon enough Zach had come back with her dry clothes and the dried vervain she had asked for. Both Zach and Stefan had both left to give her some privacy after that. Of course before Stefan left he asked her if she wanted some hot chocolate which she happily said she would love some. Stripping Stefan's shirt off she put her sports bra and underwear back on before shrugging back into the shirt. Ally grabbed her leggings and pulled them on quickly. She grabbed her locket off the bathroom counter opening it she quickly filled it with the dried vervain closing it when it was full.
"There we go..." Ally said to herself smiling as she put it back on letting drop onto her neck once she had the clasp shut, she felt safer wearing it.
"Here we are..." Stefan announced knocking on the door with his free hand, the other carrying a large coffee mug holding it out as she took it from him reveling in the warmth. "I wasn't sure if you wanted marshmallows or whipped cream on top so I didn't put anything on it."
"I like both with my hot chocolate but this is just fine thanks." Ally replied taking a sip sighing happily at how delicious it was. "Absolutely perfect."
"You're welcome, I'm glad you like it. Since you're spending the night here so is there anything specific you'd like for dinner?" Stefan asked smiling amusedly watching her sip her hot chocolate.
"Hm I'm feeling like having something spicy, doesn't matter what honestly." Ally answered as Stefan nodded his head appreciatively. "Any ideas?"
"As a matter of fact I do. We have the makings for enchiladas, how does that sound?" Stefan said as Ally's eyes lit up excitedly as she smiled brightly.
"Sounds good to me! I love enchiladas! And to tell you the truth I'm a pretty good cook so how about I help you out?" Ally replied as Stefan chuckled softly.
"It's a deal." Stefan agreed as they smiled at each other as Ally eventually had to look away trying to unsuccessfully hide her blush.
Between the two of them they made quick work preparing the enchiladas. Once the pan was the oven Stefan whisked together a quick salad dressing in a little glass container with a lid for a spinach and strawberry salad popping the lid on as he placed it in the fridge until their meal was ready. They chatted amongst the two of them as Ally quartered strawberries for the salad about the many things they had seen and experienced over the years.
Ally expressed her love of watching the seasons change in different cities while on the Other Side. As each season passed she was simply amazed at how the world had grown. Paris had always been one of her favorite cities to watch as the years passed. Visiting Paris while she was alive and being able to experience everything the city had to offer was definitely on her bucket list of places to see.
Stefan couldn't help but smile as he listened to her talk. The things she must have seen just amazed him. But he felt bad that knowing that she had watched it all alone. As they both worked together setting the table for the two of them Ally told him about how she had watched him struggle with his bloodlust over the centuries and how she had wished there was something she could have done to help. Stefan told her it wasn't easy being a ripper but having his friend Lexi had most certainly helped. When their meal was was all done he quickly fixed them both a plate as Ally filled two glasses with water for them.
Once they had both sat down at the table Stefan told a few stories about how different it was growing up with Damon as they ate. Ally couldn't help but tell a few stories herself about her memories with each of her sisters as with each century she experienced how customs and traditions had changed quite a bit. Once they had finished eating they cleared the table together. Ally rinsed the dishes off as Stefan put them in the washing machine as they compared their favorite decades. Stefan wouldn't stop talking about his favorite bands from the 1980's which Ally found hilarious, but he looked so happy talking so she didn't have the heart to stop him. Ally was very thankful for this chance to get to know Stefan face to face for real instead of watching his life from the Other Side so she wasn't going to pass up this opportunity to learn more about him.
Back at home the next morning after Zach had dropped her off she had taken a quick shower making sure to actually wash her hair this time. After blow drying her hair and styling it into loose waves she quickly changed into one of her favorite pair of skinny jeans, a light gray t-shirt and matching gray converse that she had bought a few weeks ago she headed downstairs tucking her cell phone into her pocket.
"Aunt Jenna!" Ally exclaimed happily rushing over throwing her arms around Jenna hugging her when she spotted her.
"Hey kiddo!" Jenna said chuckling softly hugging back as they pulled apart Jenna tugged on a strand of Ally's hair smiling. "You get more beautiful every time I see you. What are you feeding these kids?"
"Steroids, lots and lots of steroids!" Miranda joked causing all three of them to laugh as Ally grabbed a glass out of the cabinet shutting the cabinet door behind her.
"Good one Mom. Very nice. Elena leave already? I was going to ask her if the game got cancelled because of the storm last night." Ally asked grabbing the carton of juice off the counter opening it and pouring some into her glass. "And Jeremy?"
"She left just before you got home to meet up with Matt and Bonnie at The Grill." Miranda said popping a few slices of bread into the toaster as Ally nodded her head in understanding as Jenna grabbed the carton of juice from Ally closing it back up as she picked up her glass taking a sip from it. "And Jeremy locked himself up in his and Elena's bathroom."
"Gross. I'll text her after I eat. She texted me last night asking for advice with Matt. I wonder if she knows what she's going to do." Ally said shrugging her shoulders scooping out some scrambled eggs her mom had left in a pan on the counter onto a plate.
"Got any plans today?" Jenna asked picking up her coffee mug taking a sip watching Ally take a few bites of her eggs.
"Nothing set in stone right now." Ally replied as the toast popped up and Miranda quickly grabbed it setting on the side of Ally's plate. "Why?"
"I thought we could go get mani pedi's together while your mom is out with Mrs. Lockwood working on the historical society." Jenna suggested as Ally nodded her head yes smiling brightly at her grabbing a piece of toast biting into it. "Awesome! Aunt and niece bonding time!"
"Yes sitting side by side getting our nails done gossiping about our nonexistent love lives is the perfect way to bond." Ally said sarcastically causing Jenna to push her playfully making her smile.
"They look so good!" Ally said looking down at her painted nails and toenails as she and Jenna walked out of the nail salon. Ally had swapped her converse for a pair of black sandals before she and Jenna had left the house.
"Okay yes they look amazing but who names a nail polish Purple-Opolis?" Jenna asked causing the both of them to start laughing simultaneously together.
"The same person who came up with Kinky in Helsinki." Ally shot back as their laughter faded away smiling cheekily at Jenna mentioning the color Jenna had picked out.
"Touché. Got me there." Jenna said smiling amusedly back at Ally. "When did you get so smart?"
"Oh I've always been smart, you're just now realizing it." Ally said shrugging her shoulders carelessly tucking her hair behind her right ear.
"Well my very smart niece how does lunch at The Grill sound?" Jenna asked wrapping her right arm around Ally's waist.
"Sounds grand! Let's go!" Ally said smiling happily wrapping her left arm around Jenna's shoulders.
Soon they were sitting across from each other in a booth at The Grill waiting on their food. They chatted about school and their favorite classes before they both had ordered a cheeseburger with fries. Jenna had gotten a beer while Ally had stuck with Dr. Pepper which was one of her favorite sodas.
"So your mom is thinking of making tonight family night in celebration of me being in town. How does that sound?" Jenna mentioned causing Ally to stop sipping her soda looking at her.
"Well there's a bonfire party tonight but family night sounds fun too!" Ally said shrugging her shoulders as she didn't really care one way or another.
Just then her cell phone which she had placed on the table in front of her lit up buzzing quietly. Picking it up she saw she had two text messages, one from Tyler and the other from Stefan. Before she had left the Boarding House with Zach she and Stefan had swapped numbers so they could stay in touch once Stefan headed out of town again like he usually did after visiting his remaining human family. Ally clicked onto the text from Tyler first just to see what he wanted.
From Douchewood:
You coming to the bonfire tonight?
"Who is it?" Jenna asked as Ally chuckled softly to herself as she quickly typed out a response.
To Douchewood:
Can't. Tonight is Family Night.
"Tyler. Wants to know if I'm coming to the bonfire." Ally replied clicking onto the text from Stefan looking up at Jenna quickly who was trying not to laugh.
From Superman:
You're hilarious.
"Oh those Lockwood men can never turn down a good party." Jenna said shaking her head amusedly.
"Oh do you have any experience with that hmm?" Ally asked smiling over at Jenna who rolled her eyes good naturedly.
"Maybe I do. Maybe I don't." Jenna said mysteriously not giving in to telling Ally what she knew.
Ally had saved Stefan as Superman in her contacts while she had put herself as Lois Lane in Stefan's which she was quite proud of considering she knew he would react like this.
To Superman:
Don't I know it (;
Ally had finally caught up with Elena when she and Jenna had gotten back to the house. Elena had pulled Ally up to her room where once she was sure they were alone telling Ally all about what was going on with her and Matt. Ally listened patiently as Elena talked giving her advice when Elena asked for it. Ally knew Elena had been stringing Matt along for awhile now but kept her true feelings about it to herself.
Later on that night Elena had left for the bonfire. Jeremy had locked himself in his room smoking pot while Ally stayed downstairs talking with her father. She knew her Mom had only called Sherriff Forbes to bust Jeremy as a joke. Ally was seated on the couch in the living room texting Stefan and Tyler when the house phone rang.
"Hello?" Jenna said picking up the phone from it's cradle but Ally knew it was Elena calling. "Your dad is making me play Pictionary. I suck at Pictionary."
"You do. You're terrible." Grayson announced making Ally and Miranda laugh as he smiled proudly.
"Bite me, Grayson." Jenna replied trying not to smile setting down the bowl of popcorn in her hand on the table listening to Elena keep talking. "Oh, having second thoughts about ditching family night?"
"Here." Miranda said as Jenna handed her the phone as Grayson grabbed the bowl of popcorn taking it into the living room as Jenna grabbed the stack of games following him. "Elena, everything okay?"
"Matt." Ally mouthed to her dad grabbing a handful of popcorn popping it into her mouth chewing it.
"He doesn't really care about that yet, honey, he's just trying to figure out how you feel about him right now." Miranda explained as Ally smiled triumphantly at her dad as he shook his head amusedly. "Yes you do. You're just afraid to say it."
"Got that right." Ally muttered to herself grabbing another handful of popcorn.
"You're not gonna lose him, honey. You're setting him free." Miranda promised Elena as Ally watched her dad grab his car keys off the coffee table. "We'll be there soon okay? Love you."
"Keep an eye on Jeremy while we're gone okay you two? We'll be back soon sweetie." Grayson said kissing Ally's forehead as she nodded her head yes and Jenna saluted him in response.
"Jeremy?" Ally called knocking on Jeremy's bedroom door softly as Jeremy opened the door leaning against the door jam. "Are you hungry? There's some snacks and sandwiches in the kitchen if you're interested."
"No thanks Alls, I'm good." Jeremy said smiling at her thankfully noticing Jenna coming up the steps behind them frowning curiously at the scared look on Jenna's face. "Jenna what is it?"
"That was Sheriff Forbes. She said we needed to come to the hospital because there was an accident with your parents and Elena." Jenna explained as Ally took off running down the stairs with Jeremy hot on her heels. "Guys wait I'll drive you there!"
She and Jeremy clutched onto each other's hands as a lifeline on the drive there not talking the entire time. But Ally's thoughts were frought with panic and prayers that they were okay. The minute Jenna pulled into a parking space Ally was unclipping her seatbelt opening her car door and bolting out of the car dashing towards the hospital doors ignoring Jenna shouting her name.
"Liz!" Ally shouted running towards her once she had spotted her stopping in front of her gasping softly as Jeremy stopped next to her as he had been right behind her. "Are they okay?"
"Your parent's car went off Wickery Bridge. Elena's fine, she somehow got out of the car. It truly is a miracle." Liz explained to the both of them placing her right hand on Ally's right arm squeezing it comfortingly.
"And our parents?" Jeremy asked worriedly sharing a scared look with Ally.
"I'm so sorry you guys. They didn't make it." Liz said as Ally shook her head no in disbelief.
"No, no, no! It can't be true! Oh God, no..." Ally exclaimed trying to breathe properly as tears streamed down her face as Jeremy gathered her in his arms.
For once she wasn't the one protecting him. He was protecting her now. In that moment holding each other close as they cried Ally knew things would never be the same.
"It was you wasn't it? You saved Elena." Ally asked throwing her arms around Stefan's neck trying to hold back her tears after she had spotted him at the hospital quickly telling Jeremy and Jenna she was going to go get some coffee. "Thank you. What happened exactly?"
"Yes. I was out in the woods, by old Wickery Bridge. And I heard the accident. All of it. I was fast getting there, but not fast enough. The car was already submerged. Your dad was still... he was still conscious. I was able to get to him, but he wouldn't let me help him, until I helped Elena." Stefan replied wrapping his arms around her waist holding her tightly against him as Ally buried her head into his neck crying softly into his shirt.
"That sounds like my dad." Ally admitted smiling brokenly to herself.
"I went back for them. But it was too late. I couldn't- I couldn't save them. When I pulled her out I couldn't believe it. You were right, she looks exactly like Katherine." Stefan said rubbing Ally's back comfortingly.
"I know that Elena and I are adopted. It's the only explanation. Elena doesn't know. I'm guessing our parents were going to tell us someday." Ally said pulling back so she could look him in the eye noticing that he too was crying. "I can't believe they're gone."
"I'm so sorry that I couldn't save them." Stefan said leaning his forehead against hers as Ally shushed him using her thumbs to wipe away his tears.
"Stefan, no. You saved her. That's what my dad wanted you to do. And I am so grateful to you for that." Ally said shaking her head adamantly smiling at him through her tears.
"You promise?" Stefan asked looking at her for reassurance as Ally leaned up and kissed his cheek wrapping her arms back around his neck.
"I promise." Ally swore smiling softly at him stroking the back of his neck with her fingers.
The next week flew by like a whirlwind. Ally helped Jenna with planning the funeral as much as she could. So did Elena. Jeremy kind of spiraled closing in on himself and refused to talk to anyone but Ally. It was true that everyone grieved differently. And this definitely proved it. Ally sometimes had to drag Elena out of bed just so she wouldn't stay there all day. She didn't know how she could have gotten through all this without Stefan. He had become a lifeline to her ever since the accident. He would always come running if she needed him.
The funeral itself passed by in one big blur of tears and condolences from her parents close friends during the reception Mrs. Lockwood hosted for them at the Lockwood Mansion after the service was over since their house was too small for the amount of people who would have shown up. Jenna had been very grateful for that and had thanked Mrs. Lockwood for volunteering to hold it. Ally decided to cut out early because she couldn't take another halfhearted condolence so she quickly told Jenna she was going to head home.
Jenna had offered to drive her back but Ally declined telling her she was going to ask Tyler so she should stay there. She knew Tyler would take her since he had been very supportive the past week with everything going on like a best friend should. It didn't take Ally to find Tyler flirting with Vicki Donovan. She quickly asked if he would take her home which he said he'd be happy to. Tyler asked her to meet him by his car cause he needed to grab his keys. She pulled out her cell phone after opening her clutch as she walked towards the front of the mansion. Quickly pulling up her text conversation with Stefan she quickly sent him a new message.
To Superman:
On my way home. Meet me there in 10?
Ally had spotted Stefan at the cemetery watching the ceremony from afar dressed to the nines in a nice suit. She knew he was there because he felt guilty and to support her. She was grateful that he had been there. Ally leaned against Tyler's car tucking her clutch under her right arm as her cell phone vibrated with the response from Stefan. She quickly clicked on it.
From Superman:
Of course. See you there.
Ally smiled to herself as she spotted Tyler walking towards her swinging his keys on his finger so she quickly exited out of her texts. Tyler unlocked the car door opening it for her once he had reached her. She thanked him before sliding into the seat sitting down quickly buckling up as Tyler shut the car door. It didn't take him long until he was buckled in and he had closed his car door.
"All set?" Tyler asked looking over her sticking the key in the ignition starting the car up.
"Yeah we're all good." Ally replied nodding her head yes as he switched gears driving out of the driveway.
A/N: Okay so that was the first official chapter of New Life! I really hope you guys liked it as I loved writing it!
Don't be afraid to leave me a review on what you liked best! I'll even accept constructive criticism! Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! I'll see you guys for the next chapter!
- Kay