A/N: Hey guys! Thanks so much for your reviews. There is a flashback in this chapter & I hope it explains things that I was trying to write out on the issue between Stefan, Olivia and Sam. Since a few of you commented on it. Also, that won't really be a focus in this story in the long run of it. Miranda & two new characters will be and how everyone else is adjusting to changes in their lives and the people around them. :)

Anyways, thanks so much for reading & Please let me know what you all think.

Enjoy!

CHAPTER ONE- Begin Again-

Stefan's P.O.V.

"So, when did it all start. The feeling you have that your own kids hate you. I mean, you do realize that they're only 6 years old?" She asked me, her finger tips tapping away at the white sheet of legal paper in front of her, her eyes narrowed at my face.

I nodded. "Yeah, I get it. Carol. But, here's the thing. My kids were perfectly fine with me before Elena and I told them about Matt and then suddenly things came crashing down." I told her, watching as she placed a piece of her hair behind her ears and exhaled.

"So, how did it happen? When did everything 'come crashing down' as you say." She asked me, jotting down a few more notes and scratching the top of her head, staying quiet for a moment.

"Sam and I were cleaning out a few old boxes from when we moved into the new house and he came across a few photos of him and Matt, with Olivia too and then he asked me. "Why doesn't Matt come over anymore since I came back..." My voice trailed off, exhaling at the thought of confusion in my son's green eyes.

"And? What was the response from you?" Carol asked, locking her eyes on me and extending out her hand towards her desk, grabbing the glass of water from it and taking a long drawn out sip of the liquid as she watched me struggle for the right words.

"I went downstairs with him. Called Elena and Olivia to come into the living room and we talked about it. We explained that Matt wasn't a good guy and that he hurt their mommy a lot in the past. And, then the whole room went silent. It was like a pin dropped when Olivia suddenly shouted "Ever since you came back, Daddy. Matt doesn't see us anymore and I don't like it, I miss him!"

"Hm. So, this all happened because your son found a few pictures of him with Matt as a baby? Stefan..you're their father. Matt never was. I mean, he abused Elena, he was in a plot to kill you and he-" She begins to say, suddenly stopping as I scoff at her words.

"Sam found the original adoption papers that Matt had signed before I ever came back into their lives. He found them with the pictures and he asked me about it! Okay. My son, asked me why his name and his sisters were on this piece of paper and what it meant! And me wanting to be honest with him. I said that once upon a time, Matt wanted to be their dad." I tell her in an irritated tone, digging my nails into the arm rest handles as I looked up at her.

"But, I thought that when you and Elena told your children about you being their 'forever daddy.' that they were ecstatic about it. I thought things were going really well." Carol tried to clarify as I shake my head and laugh a bit. Things were going perfect up until Sam and I went to go look for something and ended up coming across those pictures and that damn piece of paper that had Matt Donovan's signature and the words "Adoption" in bold letters written on the top it and me having to explain why my son's name and his sister's were on it.

"Everything was fine until Sam asked me what adoption meant. And when we explained it. My kids looked at me like their lives would have been better with Matt as their dad. You know how that made me feel, after months of finally feeling like a father to them. I get hit in the face with this dead man's request of wanting my kids as his own! Now, I feel like I have to always prove to them that their better off with me. I feel like I'm trying to fucking match up with a dead man to win my kids over all over again! Their my kids, Carol. They are my children and I would die for them. I love them so much. But, this is just ridiculous and I hate the fact that Matt Donovan, the man, along with Klaus and Katherine who tried to ruin my life is still being mentioned in my household! I thought we were done with this!" I commented, leaning back in my chair and hearing as Carol let out a loud sigh.

"Stefan. Things take time and adjustments will happen. Your kids are going through stages of trying to make sense of it all. Why Matt's not coming back or going to ever see them again. I understand that you feel like they are blaming you for Matt not being around anymore. But, really. I bet you that they don't blame you at all. I think that you also need to remember that even though as much as both you and Elena may hate it. Sam and Olivia looked up to Matt for five years while you were away, Matt Donovan was all they knew as a dad. So, I personally think that your kids are grieving for Matt. I know it sounds bizarre. But, it is possible." She stated with a firm tone, watching as I shook my head and locked my eyes on her.

"Mrs. Lockwood. Ha. Doctor Lockwood. My wife, grieved for Matt. She was pissed off because of everything that he did to her and she blamed herself for it all. I don't want my own kids, who are 6 years old to blame themselves or me for that son of a bitch dying or not being around anymore! I don't want my kids to be in therapy for the rest of their lives because they have issues with a man that could have been their dad at one point. I just want all of us to be okay. Carol, I can't handle having my kids hate me for something I had no control over. I came back for them. Because, I'm their father! I'm the one who was supposed to be raising them since they were babies, I'm the one who lost time with them. Who didn't hear them say their first words or take their first steps because Matt was in my place! I should be cut some slack for trying to make things right and fix the damage that he did to my family!" I spat out in an angered tone, quietly remembering watching Elena self destruct in front of my eyes. Her sobs and wailing cries filling my ears, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Look, I don't want to place blame on you or Elena for anything that happened. I know it's been a rough year for all of you and that you and Elena are finally in a good place. But, changes like this one, adjusting to a new man in their mom's life. Do trickle down to small children and it makes it hard for them to understand. Your kids may have been fine with it at first. But, triggers like finding the pictures of Matt or seeing the adoption papers and having to explain that issue. They will affect your kids and there is no doubt in my mind that over time. Sam and Olivia will come to understand and that you'll all move on from it. Yet, you're only human Stefan and you as a father are trying your best. Yeah, your kids may not like you some days. But, it's part of parenting and deep down you have to know that even if they're mad at you. They'll still always love you. Don't blame yourself for something you had no control over. One day, your kids will understand and when that day comes, they'll realize that everything happens for a reason and that you... coming back into their lives and being their real dad is the best choice that you could have made and it was way better than allowing Matt to take on that role. So, my advice is go home and give it time. Answer any questions they may have and if they ever get mad at you. Work it out with them on their level. But, don't feel like they hate you. Because, they don't. Trust me."Carol commented, writing down a few more notes before turning to look up at the clock and with a smile on her face as she spoke.

"Next week, we'll talk about the new job and the baby on the way. Also, tell your wife to come in. I'd like to speak with her regarding some things." Carol told me, leaning back into her chair and watching as I nodded, clearing my throat.

"I will. And, Carol. Thank you. I'm going to work on it. I mean, those kids mean the world to me and I'm not going to allow Matt Donovan to rule our lives anymore. He got what he deserved. But, I'm not going to bash the guy completely either. Because, you're right. As much as I hate it. Matt was a good guy at one point before hate and jealousy reared its ugly head." I told her, getting up from my chair and looking down at my wedding band as I exhaled deeply at the thought of Matt actually genuinely caring for my family when I couldn't, all those years ago.

Jeremy's P.O.V.

Get to the hospital NOW! Jeremy, Elena's having the baby!

That's all it says. The text message sent from Caroline to me as I roll over and groan. I've barely slept any in the last 24 hours and to be honest, all I want to do is sleep some more. But, the tone of the text is worrisome and my first thought is something's wrong with my sister and the baby.

"What's going on?" Anna asks, rolling into me as she smiles and pulls the covers over her head.

"I know it's the late morning and we're both playing hooky. But, I thought we said no distractions." She says, a smirk tugged on the corner of her lips as I watch her pull the sheets from our bed over the top of her head.

"Anna. It's Elena. She's in the hospital." I tell her in a serious tone, swinging my legs over the bed and hearing as she gasps.

"What? But, I thought she wasn't supposed to have the baby for another two weeks! It's a little early. Isn't it?" She asks, placing her hand on my shoulder and hearing as I exhale, trying to get my attention again when she says " Jer. Talk to me. Isn't it a little early for her to be going into labor?"

"I don't know. Last I heard, she had a check up and the doctor told her that she should be on schedule to be induced in about two weeks. But, something's wrong. Something's off and yeah, before you even have to ask. I'm worried about it." I comment, placing my hand on top of Anna's that's still on my shoulder as I inhale through gritted teeth and turn to her as she says "Well, let's go then. Your sister needs support and so, come on. Let's go see her!"

Damon's P.O.V.

Pacing. That's what I'm seeing as I sink further down into the chair and watch my brother run his fingers through his hair.

"Did you call Caroline and Bonnie. Tell them to get Sam and Olivia from school and take them to your house?" He asks, stopping for a brief moment and looking over at me, his eyes filled with worry. His facial expression telling me that something else is bothering him entirely and yet, in the last four hours that we've been here. Stefan hasn't even told me what's going on!

"Yeah. She said that she's going to take them out to lunch or whatever and then go back home and just wait for us to call her with an update on Elena. Stefan, everything's going to be fine. The baby is full term. Nothing's going to happen." I reassure him, watching as my brother rubs his face with his hands in frustration and sighs.

"Yeah. everyone seems to be saying that. I just worry about her so much. I mean, she's been through a lot Damon and if something were to happen to her, to them..I-" Stefan starts to say as we both look up when we hear a young man's voice. He's wearing blue scrubs, a mask on his face and a blue hair band that covers his dark hair as he walks over to us and says "Mr. Salvatore. I'm here to update you on your wife and your baby. Congratulations, Mr. Salvatore. It's a boy!"

A/N: Hopefully this update cleared up a few things. :) If not, you can always send me a message and I can answer your questions into what I was trying to write.

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-Until Next Time!-