A/N: Hey so this is a mini drabble that's part of a set I'm planning on doing. Please go easy on me this is my first time writing Stelena fanfiction.

Summary: Stelena and their journey as new parents. Part 1.

February 5th

"Hey working woman,"

Elena's face broke into a smile at the sound of her husband's voice. She rested her suede bag down on the counter and tilted her head up as he stepped forward to kiss her.

She reciprocated and melted into Stefan's arms, moaning softly as one of his hands glided through her hair and he pulled her closer with the other.

It was nice to be home.

And she didn't just mean their house.

"How was work?" Stefan murmured, breaking away from the kiss.

Elena released a long-suffering sigh and Stefan chuckled.

"That bad huh?" he hummed, raising his eyebrows and leaning down to press a kiss on her forehead.

"Uh, not bad just uh... challenging. Same as always you know. It's just been a lot recently," she said shedding her coat.

Stefan nodded sympathetically and lifted up a mug from the counter.

"Coffee?"

"Mmm please." Elena nodded enthusiastically.

Elena sat down at the counter as Stefan prepared the drink. When he finished he slid the cup over to her and went back to the meal he was preparing on the stove.

Elena rested her chin in her hand. There was something almost therapeutic about watching Stefan in the kitchen. He always seemed so at home when undertaking anything culinary. Elena always joked that he was wasting his potential in journalism and should've pursued a career as a chef.

"Don't get me wrong. I love my job," she said, lifting her cup to her mouth and taking a sip.

Stefan nodded in response

"-And you're good at it," he chimed in.

"But I think… I just…" she sighed and gestured vaguely, attempting to make her point.

Stefan stopped what he was doing and regarded her with a confused expression.

"What?" he asked.

"I just feel like I need a break-" she blurted out. "- Since I finished my residency it's just been a lot know?"

"Well, how long have you felt like this?" Stefan asked, coming around to her side of the counter.

"I don't know a couple of months now. But, I mean it's silly, right?" she exclaimed.

"Why is it silly?"

"I'm a doctor, I mean this is what I signed up for isn't it?"

Stefan smiled gently and shook his head.

"You have every right to feel tired and want to to take a break, you're only human Elena," he insisted.

"Yeah I know but-"

"You save dozens of people's lives every day. You have to go into work and witness some pretty gruesome stuff; stuff that most people never have to deal with. So do I think it's ridiculous that you want a break from all that? No." Stefan finished.

He slowly began stroking back her hair soothingly and she sighed leaning into his touch.

"I guess you're right." she mused. "I do have quite a few vacation days saved up," she mused.

"Well as long as I give my boss some notice we can plan to go away for a couple of weeks," Stefan replied.

Elena straightened and shook her head.

"Now isn't the right time. We just got a new director of surgery, plus they've just built a new wing at the hospital; everyone still adjusting. I don't know, maybe later on in the year."

"If that's what you want," Stefan said resting his hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah, I think I just needed to get that off my chest. I feel a little better now after talking about it. A vacation would be nice. I think having something to look forward to will make things easier at work." she said decidedly.

Stefan leant down and cupped her face in his hands, resting his forehead against hers.

"Whenever you're ready just let me know. And promise me you'll let me know if anything else is bothering you," he prompted her.

"I will," Elena answered softly, nuzzling his nose.

He tilted his head to brush his lips against her's, when suddenly, Elena's eyes flew open.

"Stefan the pot!"

Stefan jumped in shock and raced toward the stove, as the large pot of tomato sauce began to boil over.

He shot Elena a half-hearted glare as she began to giggle.

"Just for that you're not getting a single mouthful of this,"

"Aw… come on please?"

Elena gave him her best pleading face but he just shook his head.

"Nope,"

Elena pushed out her stool and stood. She stalked around to where Stefan stood and circled her hands around his waist from behind.

"What if I told you I love you?" she murmured, placing a kiss between his shoulder blades.

"Then I guess I'd have to forgive you," he sighed, relenting

He turned and pulled Elena into his embrace.

She met his lips with hers, smiling.