It has been two weeks since I have left Mystic Falls. Damon has called me nonstop, begging me to come back home and talk things out with Elena. I would shake my head and fight back tears as I listened to them, one after the other. My tummy strained so hard against the fabric of my shirts now, a small sliver of skin would show.

My powers, witch and powers from the baby, were growing. The other day as I tried to convince a store owner in Nashville to give me a job, and I ended up compelling him. I had immediately turned down the offer and returned to my car to cry.

It's so hard, being pregnant and on my own. I miss everybody so much, but I need to do this. I have to find out which life is real. I can't take living like this, sleeping in my car and having horrible dreams about a life that seems so much less than this one, a life that screams out safety.

There's no Damon in that life though, no baby, nothing. The two people I love most in my life aren't there, in a life where I'm appreciated and not held up to a standard. Sure I may have lost my mother, but I had people that truly cared about me. I didn't have crazy powers that threatened my life and those around me and I wasn't pregnant with a half vampire child that was growing way too fast for my liking.

2258 Valparaiso Street

The address rang through my mind as I pulled up to the house. It was exactly like the ones from my dreams, the one in my memories. I took a deep breath and got out of the car. I trudged up the sidewalk and knocked on the door.

"I was wondering when you would come by. I've been waiting for you." I turned and saw my dad from the other life standing there, a grim smile on his face. I sobbed and threw myself into his waiting arms. He led me back into the house and sat me down on the couch. I wiped my eyes and looked around at the place around me. It was weird to see something you had only seen in your mind in real life. So tangible.

" I expect you want some answers." He said as he sat down on the couch across from me. I nodded and relaxed, my hands settling on my tummy that was now extremely round as I was technically 32 weeks pregnant, even though I had only conceived my child a little over five weeks ago. You know, vampire genes and what not.

"Grove witches, Hayley, are very special. They have a power that no other witches can achieve. Astral projection. Now, you are the most powerful I've heard about in a long time, so I think that can explain why you are here."

"Dad? Are you a Grove witch?" He shook his head.

"I'm not your real dad. Just a caretaker, but I think you've known that for a while." I nodded, surprised at the lack of betrayal I felt. I guess I had felt like that for a while.

"You were related to you're mother though, except she wasn't your mother. She didn't know the degree of your relationship, but she knew you were related. She too, could astral project herself into other places." I nodded.

"You said I was different, how so?' He took a deep breath and sat back against the couch. He tapped his chin.

"Okay, I'm going to try to explain this in a way that it won't be as confusing. You have lived two lives. One here in Nashville, and the other in Mystic Falls. When you would fall asleep in one place, you would astral project yourself to the other. That sense of exhaustion that you have carried throughout your life? That's where it comes from." My jaw fell open. It was hard to wrap my head around it. I had been living two different lives. BUt how does that explain Ella?

"Was Ella a Grove witch too?" He nodded. My head was spinning.

"So, why do I keep having these dreams? Am I still laying in a hospital bed somewhere, unconscious?' He nodded. There were two me's.

"Well, what do I do about that? I can't keep living my life like this. Isn't there a way to join both of my lives, like to fuse with myself?" He nodded again.

"It's a very big spell, and I have been preparing since your mother passed away. We'll do it once you have showered and eaten. You know where the bathroom is and I'll start on making you some food." I nodded and did just that. I stripped my clothes and showered, cooing to my baby as she kicked around in my stomach, reacting to the hot water. I wrapped a towel around my body and snuck into my "dad's" room. I grabbed a sweatshirt and snuck back out. I slipped into what was supposed to be my room and slipped on underwear, a bra, and some shorts before slipping on the hoodie over my head.

"That was your mother's favorite sweatshirt to wear when she was pregnant with Matt." He said and smiled fondly.

"Where is Matt?"

"His grandmother's." I nodded and sat down as he slid a grill cheese and bottle of water my way. I gobbled it up and watched as he slit a cut into his hand and held it over a cup. I gasped as I watched.

"Why? Stop!" I got up but he looked up at me, his fatherly expression back on.

"You need it. Now I might not be your biological father, but I've loved you as if you were mine, you know. I would do anything for you." My heart began to hurt. I felt my fangs start to slide from my upper jaw as he handed me the cup. I gulped it all down, my energy replenishing. The baby kicked harder than she ever has. I bent over a little at the pain, but straightened up when she kicked softer this time, almost as if to apologize.

"The baby is kicking." I took his hand and placed it above my hipbone. She kicked his hand and he smiled at me. I returned it and we stood there for a moment, enjoying the peace.

"We should head to the hospital, Hayley. The sooner you merge, the better." I nodded and followed him out the door and into his car. I was nervous and excited. I was finally going to be able to find some peace.

We pulled in to the hospital and he led me past the receptionist's desk and into the elevator. We were silent as he led me down the hall and into a room. I looked at the pale girl in the bed hooked up to wires and machines. Tears pricked my eyes.

"What do I need to do?" I asked. He grabbed a chair and eased my down next to her.

"Grab her hand." He said. I looked up at him.

"That's it?" He nodded. I guess after being related to Elena, you kind of expect everything to be complicated. I lifted my hand, but hesitated.

"What will happen when I do?" he lay a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it gently.

"Her essence will merge with your's and the body will disintegrate. It may be painful, and it may be dangerous." I nodded and wrapped an arm around my stomach protectively. The baby kicked and I grimly grabbed my other self's hand.

The most immense pain I have ever been in settled upon my soul and it took everything in my power to not let loose the scream that wanted to rip from my throat.

So there you have it! The reason for the dreams, the memories and all that! I really would like some reviews, seeing as I only got one for the last chapter. I really want to know what you guys think and everything. I feel that this story has maybe six chapters left, tops. I already have an ending planned and I hope that you guys ride it all out. Love you all! Xoxo