Hello everyone and Happy New Year! I still have about 6 hours to go from California, but I hope you all are enjoying the holiday! May 2014 bring you loads and loads of happiness, seriously you all deserve it! Anyways, once again it took me 100 years to update this and I am so sorry for that. Between a broken laptop, all the holiday madness, and a serious case of writers block coming out with this chapter was extremely difficult, but here it is FINALLY. There is so much fluff in here you guys will probably feel your hearts smile, which I'm hoping is a good thing. Also, there's a bit of a time jump so the first half in Elena's POV is early October and the second half that's Damon's POV is late October. Thanks for the continued love and support that you've given me this past year, you all have no idea how grateful I am for your kind words in the reviews and for following my stories. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and feel free to let me know in the reviews if there's anything involved with pregnancy that you'd like to see in the next couple chapters. And once again, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Chapter 8
EPOV
"You know if you're really uncomfortable about this you don't have to do it," Damon said taking my hand once he'd stopped his car in front of the large building. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before gathering my courage and forcing a smile.
"It's fine," I said kissing him softly. "Dr. Montgomery thinks it's a good idea and my mom really wants me to do it, who knows maybe it'll be good."
"Okay well I'll be here at 5 o'clock sharp to pick you up," he said kissing my forehead and I nodded before I got out of the car. I walked towards the large set of automatic doors nervously; I could feel my heart beating faster as I walked down the hall looking for suite 115. No turning back now. I opened the door slowly and took note of the small nicely decorated waiting room and thanked God that it was currently empty.
"Can I help you sweetheart," the little old lady behind the receptionist desk asked me with a warm smile.
"I'm here for the group," I said nervously fiddling with the hem of my t-shirt.
"Oh I'll walk you back there," she said getting out of her desk chair and opening the door leading towards the back. I followed her down a hallway and around a corner where I saw a set of double doors that opened into a large room with chairs set up in a circle towards the middle. I noticed a few other girls already sitting down so I sent the woman a polite smile before taking my seat.
It seems like a good idea in theory, a support group for future teenage mothers, but being here is making this all seem so real. Not that it didn't before, but this forces me to realize that Damon and my family aren't the only people that are going to know I'm pregnant. The news will spread, and talking about it with complete strangers only reminds me of that.
As of this week I'm officially in my second trimester. The nausea and morning sickness have finally stopped, thank goodness. Right now my baby bump is extremely subtle and when I'm dressed you can't see it as long as I don't wear overly tight shirts, but pretty soon that'll change and everyone will know. People have already been talking about why I didn't go back to school, but no one actually knows why. Although, me being pregnant is one of the rumors going around so I'm pretty sure most people are figuring it out for themselves. I guess it is kind of obvious. I'm being tutored at home, I have gained weight, my breasts have gotten much bigger, and Damon is by my side almost every minute of every day.
As more girls walked in and took seats I noticed a few of them chatting with each other, which only makes me feel more uncomfortable. They all know each other already, and now I'm the new girl stepping onto their territory. Group therapy is a pretty personal thing and I'm sure it's a little weird for them to be so open with someone they hardly know. I know it is for me.
"Afternoon ladies," a younger woman announced walking into the room and taking a seat in the last available chair. I'm assuming she's Dr. Fell, she looks to be in her mid twenty's, and she's quite pretty. "So it looks like we have a new face here," she looked at me with a genuine smile and I felt my cheeks heat up from the attention. "So Elena, I know it's your first time and if you want to just sit back and take it all in that's fine, but talking is encouraged. Why don't you start by telling us a little about yourself? Like maybe your age and your situation."
"Well I'm 17 and I'm supposed to be a senior," I said with a nervous smile. "Uh when I turn 18 in 3 weeks I'm going to move in with my boyfriend Damon, he's the father. That's about it I guess."
"You said you're supposed to be a senior," she pointed out with a curious expression. "So are you no longer in school?"
"I'm doing the home tutor thing," I shrugged timidly.
"That's a good idea," another girl said smiling at me. "I decided to stay in school this semester because my parents couldn't afford a tutor and I'm only a junior, but it's been hell. People look at me like some kind of slide show act."
"Ugh me too," another girl said frowning. "Even my teachers have been gossiping about me."
"This is a good topic I think we should cover," Dr. Fell said looking at all of us. "Handling other people's reactions to the news. Unplanned teen pregnancy is painted in a fairly negative light in todays society, I know you guys all must be struggling with the judgment."
"I'm not in school," a shy girl said speaking up. She looked about ready to pop, but she's insanely beautiful. She has cocoa colored skin with dark hair and green eyes, but there's a certain kindness I can sense from her. "But I went to the grocery store with my mom yesterday and everyone looked at me in disgust."
She looked to be on the verge of tears, and I really felt for her. As more of them spoke I realized that everything I'm feeling is normal, and there's a certain comfort in that. For the first time since I found out about my pregnancy I don't feel so alone. I mean don't get me wrong, between Damon, Katherine, Caroline, and my parents I have an amazing support system in place. Although, none of them really understand what I feel like because they've never been in my situation, but these girls get it. One of the girls talked about how her boyfriend had hit her when she told him about the pregnancy, and it just opened my eyes to how lucky I really am. A lot of them don't have the father around, but Damon has been with me every step of the way.
"Elena what about you," Dr. Fell said turning to me. "You've been quiet. You said your boyfriend's name is Damon. What's he like?"
"Uhm he's great," I said with a small smile. "He's older than me, but we've been together for almost 3 years now and I've known him most of my life. He's been really supportive about everything; I think he's excited to be a dad. We're moving to New York next summer so he can go to school and when I turn 18 in 3 weeks I'm moving into his apartment here in Mystic Falls."
"And what about your parents," she asked curiously.
"Well when we first told them they freaked out and I ended up staying with Damon for a few weeks to give them some space," I shrugged biting my lip nervously. "When we finally talked they were really mad, but they've been supportive enough. They set a bunch of rules and limitations though. I'm not allowed to go to Damon's alone, we have to spend all of our time at my house, no sex, and whenever he's around they give him the cold shoulder or toss him dirty looks. I think they blame Damon for this because he's older than me, but our age difference isn't even that big, and it was my decision to start having sex. I just wish they'd let go of this grudge they have against him because he's the father of my child and he's not going anywhere."
"Sounds like you have a little resentment towards them," she said raising one of her perfectly shaped eyebrows at me.
"I try not to, but I guess I can't help it," I said crossing my arms.
"My dad punched my boyfriend when he found out," one of the girls said giggling and we all laughed.
"My mom slapped mine," another girl said.
"Parents are always the hardest one's to break the news to," Dr. Fell nodded looking around the room. "And even if they accept it and are supportive they often project their disappointment without even being aware that they do it. So I'm going to give all of you who still live at home a little homework assignment. Talk to your parents about how you're feeling. If you think they're being unreasonable or unfair you should voice it, just be sure to do it nicely. Yelling or complaining won't get you anywhere, but a calm and collected honest conversation might, and then next week we'll all talk about how it went. Does that sound good?"
The room nodded and she smiled before stating that we were done for the day and everyone moved to stand up. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to face two of the girls smiling at me. One was the pretty black girl I'd noticed earlier and the other had ratty brown hair and brown eyes. She was as the one whose boyfriend had hit her and I felt the urge to just give her a hug right here. No one deserves that.
"I'm Hayley and this is Bonnie," the girl with the ratty hair said with a warm smile. "Your name is Elena right?"
"Yeah," I answered shyly. "It's nice to meet you guys."
"Well we just wanted to be nice and introduce ourselves," Bonnie said smiling. "I know it's a little intimidating at first, but once you get more comfortable with everyone it's way easier."
"Dr. Fell seems nice," I said as we walked down the hallway towards the waiting room.
"Oh yeah she's pretty cool," Hayley said nodding. "She had a baby when she was a teenager too, she gave it up for adoption. It's cool talking to someone who actually gets it. My mom sent me to this therapist when I first found out and it sucked. The lady kept saying she understood even though she hadn't experience anything close to it. So when I came here I was relieved to be around people I could relate to. It's kind of nice being around people who are able to say that they understand and actually mean it."
"Is that your boyfriend," Bonnie asked pointing to Damon who was sitting in one of the chairs in the corner smirking at me.
"Yeah that's Damon," I said smiling proudly.
"God he is hot," Hayley said fanning herself dramatically and I giggled.
"Seriously your child is going to be gorgeous Elena," Bonnie teased.
"Yeah just don't tell him you think that his ego is big enough already," I rolled my eyes in amusement knowing he's probably listening in on my conversation. "Anyways I'll see you guys next week."
They waved goodbye and I walked towards Damon who stood up from his chair with a knowing smirk on his face as he pressed a soft kiss to my lips.
"Looks like you made some friends," he said taking my hand as we walked out to the car.
"Yeah everyone was really nice I'm glad I came," I said nodding in content.
"Apparently I'm hot," he wiggled his eyebrows flirtatiously and I giggled rolling my eyes at him.
"I knew you were eavesdropping," I said once we'd reached the car.
"I wasn't eavesdropping I just have good ears," he shrugged innocently as he opened the door for me and helped me inside. Not that I need help, but I let him do things like this because I know it makes him feel like he's doing something.
When we got back to the house I could smell dinner cooking and I was already salivating. Food has been my best friend lately and eating is what I look forward to the most throughout the day. Katherine and Damon keep telling me I've hardly gained weight with the exception of the slight baby bump, but I know they're just trying to make me feel better. I look like a whale. I just can't stop eating.
"How'd the class go," my mom asked as she stirred the salad and my dad sat at the counter reading the newspaper.
"It was good I'm glad I could go," I nodded eyeing the lasagna sitting on the stove excitedly. They completely ignored Damon as we all sat down to dinner and I thought about what Dr. Fell told us to do. I know I really do need to have a talk with them about their treatment of Damon. I understood it for the first month or so, but it's been almost 4 months and they still act like he's some kind of disease. They used to love Damon and I hate that everything's turned out this way.
"I need to talk to my parents," I said looking at Damon after dinner was over. "They need to stop being so hateful towards you and I'm going to say something."
"Elena it's fine I get why they're mad at me really I don't mind," he shrugged putting up his usual front when he doesn't want people to know something bothers him. I can always see right through him.
"I'm doing this for me just as much as I'm doing it for you," I said taking his face in my hands. "You're my future Damon, you're the father of my soon to be child, and I need them to respect that."
"Okay," he said pulling my hands down from his face and kissing them lightly. "I'll wait upstairs. I have to talk to Kat about something anyways."
I nodded with a nervous smile and watched as he turned to walk up the stairs. I took a deep breath and collected myself before walking into the kitchen where my mom was putting away leftovers and my dad was looking over some paperwork at the counter.
"Can I talk to you guys," I asked making sure to keep up my strong façade.
"Is everything okay," my mom asked slightly concerned.
"Yeah everything's fine," I nodded chewing on my bottom lip nervously. "I just need to talk to you guys."
"Alright," she said taking a seat next to my dad as they both focused their attention on me.
"What's this about," my dad asked skeptically.
"Well today in my group therapy Dr. Fell told us that we needed to talk to our parents if we felt bothered by something," I said nervously wringing my hands together. "And I wanted to talk to you guys about the way you've been treating Damon."
"I don't understand," my mom said furrowing her eyebrows together. "We've accepted Damon into our family and he's welcome in our home any time."
"Yeah but you guys treat him like he's carrying the plague," I said crossing my arms in annoyance. "You ignore him, you're always giving him dirty looks, and when you do talk to him you always sound like you're pissed. I know it bothers him, and he hasn't said anything about it because he's Damon and he refuses to show weakness, but I know him and I know when something upsets him."
"Elena he got my 17-year-old daughter pregnant what more do you want from me," my dad asked pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation. "He's lucky I haven't reported him for sleeping with an underage girl, but I didn't out of respect for you. Your mother and I could've banished him from the house, but we didn't."
"Are you really still on that," I asked him in disbelief. "You guys need to stop blaming him for everything. It was just as much my fault as it was his. You were fine with us dating even with the age difference I don't understand why it's suddenly such a huge issue!"
"Because there's a difference between simply dating someone and sleeping with them Elena," my mom said sternly.
"What exactly did you guys expect," I asked in disbelief. "We love each other and we've been together for almost 3 years, so yeah we slept together. I'm sorry if you don't approve of that, but it wasn't your decision to make. He didn't pressure me or influence me at all, it was my decision. It's been four months since we told you and you need to just accept it and treat him with a little respect because he's not going anywhere, and if you refuse to treat him well then you don't have to have a relationship with your grandchild."
"Elena," my mom gasped at my outburst in disbelief.
"She's right," Katherine said walking into the room and standing next to me. I looked at her with shock and relief that someone else is here to back me up. "Sorry I couldn't help but overhear," she said sheepishly before turning to look at them. "But she's right. With this baby Damon is officially apart of this family forever now and he deserves to be treated with respect. He's been like a brother to me since kindergarten and he's been nothing but good towards Elena. I thought you guys were supposed to be decent people, but your attitude lately hasn't been very upright. Elena is pregnant and she has a lot of really stressful and emotional changes going on in her life, she needs Damon by her side and she needs you two to be respectful of that."
"I suppose we could make an effort," my mom said sighing in defeat. "I think Kat is right we do need to respect Damon if he's going to be the father of our grandchildren."
My dad was staying silent, but at least I've made some progress with my mom. Plus, she usually talks to him about things like this and somehow manages to change his mind so I'm hoping that'll be the case.
When I made my way up to bed I found Damon lying down in his boxer shorts with his eyes closed and his hands resting behind his head. He looked like some kind of Greek God and I wonder how I got so lucky to call him mine. I changed into my pajamas and climbed in next to him resting my head against his naked chest and sighing in content when he wrapped his arms around me. I would be happy spending the rest of my life just like this. No interruptions. Just lying here with Damon.
"How'd the talk with mom and dad go," he asked looking down at me a minute later.
"My mom said she'd make an effort," I shrugged snuggling in closer to him. "I think they just need time, but at least now they're aware of the fact that it upsets me. If they try and be nice it'll eventually come natural, at least that's what I hope."
"I love you," he said kissing the top of my head. "You know that right?"
"Of course," I said smiling up at him. "I love you too. I know I haven't really told you this a lot, but you're amazing Damon. It's just, when I went to therapy today I heard all these horror stories about the fathers and I realized how unbelievable lucky I am to have you. You've been so perfect throughout all of this and I need you to know how much I appreciate it."
"You don't have to thank me for doing the right thing," he said gently brushing aside a piece of my hair before scooting down so we were facing each other on our sides. "Besides, seeing you like this with your little bump makes me so unbelievably happy you have no idea. I mean, we created that." He slowly rubbed his hand over the little bump on my stomach and I smiled as his blue eyes looked at me with so much love I felt like I would burst.
"Isn't it a little cliche that we made a baby in the back seat of your Camaro," I teased giggling softly and he laughed.
"That backseat has been very kind to us these past couple years," he said wiggling his eyebrows like he always does. I knew by the look on his face that he was remembering all the times he managed to get me naked in that backseat over the time we've been dating, and I'm not even ashamed to say that happened so many times I lose count. "Remember your 16th birthday?"
"That was a good night," I said smiling nostalgically.
"That was a great night," he said emphasizing the word great and I giggled because I know he's referring to the copious amount of sex we had. I'm pretty sure we set a record for number of rounds in one night after I went back to his apartment that evening. I intend on breaking that record the second I move in with him at the end of the month.
DPOV
It's kind of insane how quickly these past 4 months have gone by. Elena is already almost halfway through her pregnancy and just 5 months from now I'm going to be a father. I'm scared shitless. Not that I would ever tell Elena that. She has enough to worry about as it is. And today isn't about the baby it's about her. She's turning 18, which also means she is officially an adult and she can officially move in with me. She's spending the day at the spa with Katherine while Stefan helps me move all of her stuff over to my place. I wanted to surprise her and have the apartment all ready for her tonight when she comes over. She already has stuff that she's kept here over the past few years, but now this is her place just as much as it is mine and I want her to know that. Katherine helped me pick out a bigger dresser a couple weeks ago so all of our clothes would fit and she forced me to get rid of a few things to make room in the closet. I'd offered to buy a new place with a second bedroom for a nursery, but Elena said it was unnecessary since we'd only be here with the baby for a few months and most new parents like to keep the baby in their room during that time anyways. As soon as we find out the sex Grandma Salvatore is insistent that we make a trip to the penthouse so she can help us set up the nursery before Elena isn't able to fly anymore.
We spent last night in a fancy hotel, which took A LOT of persuasion with her parents, but they finally relented since she'd be moving in with me in a day anyways. They've been making an effort to at least pretend to be nice to me, and it's better than nothing. At least now we can spend our free time in our apartment.
Last week when Kat came over she informed me that the place was way too "bachelor pad" and that it needed a woman's touch so I told her she could change a few things. While Elena and I kept ourselves very busy at the hotel last night she came by and decorated. There were new towels in the kitchen and bathroom, throw pillows on the sofas, new bedding to replace the plain black I had before, and a few new lamps and things. I let her borrow my credit card and I don't even want to know how much she spent, but if it makes Elena happy I don't care one bit.
"I think that's everything," Stefan said collapsing on the couch once we'd gotten all the boxes moved in. Thankfully there wasn't any real heavy lifting to be done since it was mostly just clothes and trinkets, but we'd made at least 20 trips up and down trying to get everything.
"Thanks for the help," I said handing him a soda which he took gratefully.
"It's no problem," he shrugged. "So what time is she coming over? Do you have enough time to put all of this away?"
"Yeah she wont be here until 8," I said opening up one of the boxes and pulling out all of her picture frames. I smiled as I looked down at a picture of her, Katherine, and I from her 16th birthday party. Things were so perfect back then. Not that they're terrible now, but we sure as hell had a lot less to worry about.
"I should get going, but if you really need me I can stay and tell my dad to wait for me," he offered as he looked over the piles of boxes.
"Nah I'm good I wanted to do it myself anyways since it's all her personal stuff," I shrugged as I placed a few photos across the mantle. There was one of the Gilbert's from last Christmas, one of her and Caroline from their first day of school a few years ago, and one of her and I at the beach house from the first summer we'd been together.
Elena loves photos. Her bedroom back home was covered in picture frames and I made sure that every single one of them made their way back here and I found a place for all of them. I don't really have very many photos, and looking at hers surrounding the apartment makes it really feel like home.
It actually warmed my heart as I put all of her stuff away and mixed it in with mine. Seeing all of her lotions and products sitting on the bathroom counter and all of her clothes and shoes in the closet mixed with mine made everything finally feel real. It took me forever to get everything put away, but I finally did just in time to get the boxes out to the dumpster. Since she was going to dinner with her friends from her teen mom therapy group I promised her dessert so I'd made her favorite pumpkin cheesecake and made sure the kitchen was stocked with all the food she likes.
When I felt my phone vibrate I looked down and grinned when I saw her name before answering.
"Hello beautiful," I said knowing she'd be blushing on the other side of the phone. Even after all this time she can't help but blush when I compliment her, and I find it completely adorable. "You on your way?"
"I just pulled up actually," she said happily and I could hear the beeping sound from the locks on her car doors.
"I have a surprise for you so wait for me in the lobby," I said grabbing my keys and running out the door as I hung up. When the elevator stopped at the bottom floor I smiled when I saw her waiting for me and walked towards her quickly. With the baby I don't even like being away from her for a couple hours. I miss her every time we're apart. She had on a pink dress that complimented her skin tone perfectly, and you could see the slight outline of her baby bump under the fabric if you looked closely enough. I love her baby bump.
"You look so gorgeous," I said kissing her softly on the lips.
"Oh please," she rolled her eyes shaking her head. "So what's this big surprise you have for me?"
"Come with me," I said taking her hand and pulling her towards the elevator.
"I want to have a quiet night just the two of us," she said resting her head against my chest as the elevator doors closed. "So I guess we can go pick up my stuff tomorrow."
I smirked when she said that. She has no idea that it's already been done. When the elevator stopped on our floor we walked towards our apartment, but I stopped her before opening the door to tie a scarf over her eyes.
"You know you could just tell me to close my eyes," she said pointedly as I unlocked the door and guided her inside.
"But this is more dramatic," I said guiding her a little further inside and stopping her when she reached the middle. I pulled the scarf away and watched as she realized what I'd done.
"Oh my god Damon," she said looking around the room. "You moved my stuff?"
"Yup," I said popping the p. "And I got all of it, all I left behind was the big furniture we wouldn't need."
I gestured for her to follow me into the bedroom and showed her the dresser and the closet, and I showed her all of our combined stuff in the bathroom. The smile she was sporting lit up her entire face and it made me ecstatic seeing her so happy.
"You even changed the bedding and decorated," she said running her hand over the expensive new patterned duvet Katherine had bought. I told her to get a high thread count and I can tell just looking at it that she delivered. The bed looked so comfortable all I could think about was climbing inside with Elena.
"Well you can thank Kat for that," I said smirking," but I did pay for it."
"I can't believe this," she said as tears stung her eyes and she pulled me in close. "This is officially our apartment. Just you and me."
"Mhm," I said kissing her perfectly pink lips. "Wanna christen the place?"
"Of course," she said grinning and pulling me back in for a hungry kiss. As we shed our clothes and slipped beneath the sheets I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness over the fact that I have someone as perfect as her in my life. And from now on we can have many more perfect nights like this in the future. In our home.
So was that fluffy enough for you? I warned you! Anyways, I will try and get the next chapter out as soon as I can. Let me know what you think!
