Happy Valentine's Day!
Just a quick note - this is the SAME "Bittersweet" as I posted years ago. I'd originally planned to do some major revisions and publish it on Kindle Worlds, but my agent and I decided against it. So….after many requests, here you go.
For those who've read this before, you may find some edits along the way, but nothing significant will change. I've just had so many requests to post this one (and "Echoes") that I thought it would be fun gift for all of y'all for Valentine's Day.
I do want to warn you that this story will have a major character death. If that's not something you want to read, then you'd probably be best skipping this one and waiting for my next Vampire Diaries story to come about.
Once again - this story is simply for entertainment purposes. I don't own The Vampire Diaries...only the plot is my own.
"Ouch, Kennedy. Aunt Elena actually needs her hair..." She reached up and pried open the toddler's sticky fingers. She frowned as she looked of the strands of long, dark hair that remained threaded through her niece's chubby fingers. "Well, I need most of it anyway." Balancing the now-grumpy one year old on her hip, she turned to Stefan. "Can you take her while I help Jenna?" Trusting Jenna with the Thanksgiving turkey was always an exercise in courage. The day was much less likely to require a visit from the fire department if the other guests kept the little ones amused.
"Aw. Aunt Elena just isn't any fun, is she?" Stefan teased his wife as he ran his hand down her back. "Let's go see if we can find something else to play with." He eased his niece out of Elena's grip with one hand and continued the process of untangling the hair from Kennedy's fingers before they made it into her mouth with the other. He walked from the kitchen and into the former sitting room that Jenna and Alaric had converted into a playroom for their ever-expanding brood. He turned at the sound of footsteps racing down the stairs.
"Hey, no football in the house." Alaric reached out and plucked the ball from Jackson's hand just as the five year old hit the bottom step.
"But Uncle Damon said..." Jackson looked up the stairwell for moral support.
"Uncle Damon said we'd go play football outside." Damon bent and whispered into his almost-nephew's ear. "We don't want to make your mom mad on Thanksgiving, she'll burn the turkey. Uncle Stef, you want to play too?" Damon reached out and took the ball from Alaric. "I'll make sure he doesn't break a window this time."
"Come on, Uncle Stef!" Jackson bounded to his uncle's side.
Stefan had given up attempting to teach his nephew how to correctly pronounce his name. Damon spent too much time hanging out with Alaric for any correction to stick. He glared at Damon as he shook his head in mild annoyance. Unfortunately, he couldn't ignore his brother's laughter as he spun the football in his fingers. "Let's go. Kennedy and I can watch."
"Put on your jacket." Jenna stood in front of the french doors in the kitchen, blocking her son until he went back to retrieve his jacket. "Don't forget..." She paused as she saw Stefan already winning the battle at threading Kennedy's arms through her pink hoodie. "I don't know how he does it." She moved aside to let Jackson out the door and her rounded belly brushed against the card table set up adjacent to the kitchen table. "She'll do anything for Stefan."
"My brother's always had a way with the ladies." He winked in Jenna's direction.
"Remind me why we invited you again?" Jenna gave him a warning glare as she pointed to Jackson staring up at his idol. She brushed her hair out of her face as she walked to the sink to wash her hands.
"Because your son worships the ground that I walk on, I keep him out from under your feet, and," he motioned to the wine rack, "I always bring the good stuff."
"As if I could drink it."
"Save it for later. Just remember this the next time you and Alaric think about adding to the family. After number three, he's going to be driving a mini-van."
Jenna laughed and nodded as she turned her attention to the stove where the mashed potatoes had just begun to boil over. She turned the fire down and reached behind her to rub her back.
"Jenna, why don't you go sit down. I can take it from here." Jenna sighed and wiped her hands on a dish towel. "You don't have to ask me twice."
"Are you sure I can't help?" Liz Forbes walked into the room and leaned against the kitchen counter. "I can do something. Do you need me to set the table?"
"Of course not, you're our guest." Elena waved Liz off. "And, Jackson actually already set the table." She raised an eyebrow as she looked at the table. "Why don't you go keep Jenna company. The doctor wants her off her feet."
"So, how's Caroline these days?" Jenna fluffed a pillow and put it behind her back.
"She's doing really well. She loves her new job - she has a lovely group of girls. I went to visit a few weeks ago and watched one of their games. She thinks they have a great chance at winning the state cheerleading title this year. Did I tell you she bought a house? She sent me pictures from her yard this morning. The trees are just lovely."
Leaving Jenna safely in the hands of Liz and her Caroline update, Elena walked back into the kitchen to check on the turkey. She jumped as someone put cold hands on her shoulders. "Jeremy! I didn't hear you come in. Where's Hannah?"
"We just got here." He motioned to the back door. "She stopped to take Kennedy before she became part of the game. Jackson wants Stefan on his team." Elena smiled as she watched Damon speeding through the yard with Jackson on his back. Definite touchdown. "Ric's going to be sore tomorrow. He shouldn't try to race Damon."
Elena walked back to the oven. "I think the turkey's done. You got here just in time. Can you go break the news to the football team?"
"So I get to be the bad guy?"
"Yep. Looks like it."
Hannah reached around Jenna's shoulder to pick up the last of the dessert dishes as Elena removed the drinking glasses from the table. She stumbled as Kennedy caught hold of her pant leg. "Umm...a little help?" She turned to the adults assembled around the television in the living room.
"I've got her." Stefan scooped up Kennedy and she giggled as he flew her through the air. She yawned as took hold of his shirt. "Is it time for her nap?" He looked to Alaric for confirmation. "I'll take her up." He climbed the stairs while Kennedy patted his back.
Liz smiled as she collected the silverware. "He really is great with the kids. Do you know how lucky you are, Elena?"
Elena's shoulders tensed as she nodded. She knew what was coming, and she tried to prepare herself. She was caught on the far side of the dining room - too far away to retreat into the safety of the kitchen.
"So," Liz continued, "I know it isn't really any of my business, but you and Stefan have been married what...six years now?" Liz paused. "When are you two going to have a little one of your own?"
"Umm," she stalled. "I'm not sure." She bent over and let her hair fall in front of her face. She plucked the last of the glasses off the table and hurried into the kitchen. Her hands were shaking as she added the dishes to the sink.
Stefan jogged down the stairs. "I think she'll stay down." He was surprised at the tension that filled the living room. The television was on, and the guests seemed to be half-watching.
Liz met him as he hit the bottom step. "Stefan, I'm sorry. I didn't know." She looked as if she'd be pleased if the floor simply opened up and swallowed her. "I wouldn't have asked..."
Confused, he looked for Elena but instead noticed Damon's concerned expression. His brother nodded toward the kitchen.
"Elena?" Stefan could tell her breathing was shaky as she stared out the kitchen window where Alaric and Jeremy were deep in conversation. Neither of the men noticed Jackson seemed to be attempting to propel himself into space on the wooden swing set.
"I'm okay." She wiped angrily at her cheeks, still not turning to face him. "I'm okay." She took a deep breath as she turned and leaned against the kitchen counter - tear tracks were still visible on her cheeks. "Really," she attempted a smile, "Liz just caught me off-guard."
"Do you want to go home?"
"No." Elena shook her head. "I promised Hannah I'd look at the bridal magazines with her. If I'm going to be wearing the dress, I'd like a little say in it." Using the oven as a makeshift mirror, she smoothed her hair before looking up at Stefan. "Do I look alright?"
"Always." He stroked her cheek and was saddened when he found lingering traces of her tears.
Putting on a brave face, Elena walked into the living room. "So, Hannah, did you bring those magazines?"
Elena placed her journal on the nightstand as she clicked off the bedside lamp. She peeled the blankets back and slid under the covers. Stefan tossed his book onto the floor as he wrapped his arms around her. The cool, sun-filled day had ended in a cold drizzle. "You're cold." He pulled the blanket up over her shoulders and she nestled into his side. He ran his hand down her arm as he kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry about today."
She winced. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Are you sure?" He couldn't hide the shadow of worry in his eyes - no matter how dark the room was.
"Not tonight." Her breath caught in her throat. She was quiet for a few minutes - her hand absently stroking Stefan's chest. "I just need to be with you." She reached up and caught his face between her hands and pulled his lips to hers and kissed her husband with a desperate intensity. She threaded her fingers through his hair as she pulled his face lower - until his lips met her throat.
"Elena." His voice was scarcely louder than a whisper. He gently moved away as he shook his head.
"I need all of you tonight, Stefan." She stroked his cheek and guided his lips back to her throat.
Elena's gentle breathing was the only sound in the room as she lay curled into Stefan's side with her head on his chest. He stroked the smooth skin of her back as he stared up at the ceiling. He was worried about Elena. He'd known these past months hadn't been easy for her - a series of one disappointment after another, but he didn't know how to help her.
