A/N: Finally, I finished this update. It was a struggle, but I am glad I was able to write it.

Thank you for the reviews and Tweets. I love this story so much and I almost did not write it because I knew Mia would not be Stefan's. After talking with a dad who is now raising two little girls who are not biologically his with his wife, I knew I had to do it. Because there are men out there who can take on this responsibility and be loving fathers. I applaud anyone who can do that.

Okay, I hope you enjoy this update!

Stefan rolled his neck, stretching it the best he could as he waited at a stop light. It was Friday and he was looking forward to spending the weekend with Mia and Elena. Work had been tough on him all week. Not that he was complaining, but he was looking forward to seeing his girls.

When the light turned, Stefan continued driving the short distance to his house. He frowned when he pulled into the driveway and saw that Elena's car was not there. He grabbed his briefcase and went inside. Maybe she had gone to get dinner.

Stefan opened the front door and went inside, dropping his briefcase by the door. He walked towards the living room and nearly died from a heart attack as a room full of people jumped out from nowhere and yelled "SURPRISE!". Stefan stood there, completely in shock as he saw all of those people smiling at him. Then reality set in and he smiled, taking in all of the decorations.

And then Elena, carrying Mia, emerged from the sea of people. She had the biggest smile on her face, no doubt because Stefan was truly surprised, as she approached him. Elena reached up and kissed him softly. "Happy Birthday" she said quietly, still smiling at him as she pulled away.

He honestly hadn't thought that anyone had remembered. A few people at work had stopped in to wish him a happy birthday, but he really wasn't expecting anyone else to go out of their way, especially not like this. Hell, he didn't even think his own brother would remember. Then again, maybe Elena had reminded him. "You did all this?" he asked her, tilting his head slightly as he looked at her.

"We both did" Elena said, motioning to Mia. Mia was the cuteness factor that brought everyone to the party. And she looked extra cute in her pink dress and little white sweater jacket.

Stefan smiled, grabbing Mia from her as Elena turned around and informed her guests that the food was out back. Stefan began greeting his lingering guests, thanking them for coming and accepting their compliments on how beautiful Mia was.

He had hardly seen Elena since he walked inside. She was running around, making sure the guests were happy. When he did spot her, he gave Mia over to Caroline and snuck away, on a mission to get Elena alone for a few minutes. "Hey" he said, grabbing hold of her arm and pulling her close.

Elena turned around and smiled, putting her arms around his waist and hugging him. "Are you enjoying your party?" she asked, tilting her head up to receive his kiss.

"I love my party" he told her, sliding his thumb across her cheek and smiling. "Thank you for doing all of this. You are amazing" he told her, bending down to kiss her again until Damon interrupted him.

"Come on birthday boy, it's time for a speech!" Damon announced, grabbing his brother and Elena and dragging them back to the tables with all of the people still sitting and enjoying their food. Damon grabbed a champagne glass and a knife, tapping on it to get everyone's attention. He pushed Stefan down into the chair in front of him. "Attention everyone!" Damon announced, waiting for the chatter to stop. "I just wanted to publically wish my baby brother a happy birthday. For 25 years, I have had to put up with him" he said, smirking at Stefan as he said this. Stefan rolled his eyes. "I taught him everything he knows. How to write his name. How to hotwire a car. How to get a girl …" he added, winking at Elena and making her blush. "Stefan might not know this, but I am incredibly proud of him. He has a degree, a career, and most importantly, a beautiful family" he said, shooting Elena another wink. "He's 25, and he has life figured out. That's pretty good. So, before I go on and say anything embarrassing, I turn the floor over to the party hostess herself, Elena" he said, motioning for Elena to come and stand where he was.

Caroline pushed Elena forward and Elena swore she was turning bright red. Public speaking was never her strength. But as she stood up in front of all of Stefan's friends and co-workers, all she had to do was look at Stefan and she calmed instantly. Because talking about him and saying how great he was, that was easy. "First, I want to thank you all for coming and helping me wish Stefan a happy birthday" she began, smiling at Stefan before her shyness took over once more. He had a way of taking her breath away by just a look. How had she never noticed that before? She looked at Caroline and Mia to gain her confidence back. "I've known Stefan for 20 years now. I met him in Kindergarten and we were inseparable all the way until we left for college. And although we went our separate ways, somehow, he found me again. I don't know how, but I do know why" she said, looking back at Stefan and smiling. His eyes were glued to her as he listened. "I love Stefan" she said, fidgeting with her fingers as she announced this to a lot of people she barely knew, if at all. "I probably don't tell him that enough, but I do. He's my best friend and he means the world to me" she added. "And for at least today, I wanted him to feel special. Because he makes me feel special every single day that I am with him" she said, feeling herself tear up. She looked at him for a moment, seeing so much love in his eyes. It was incredible, to be with someone who could look at you like that every day. "If you are here today, it is because you know Stefan. And I just want to tell you how incredibly lucky you are to have him in your life. He's amazing" Elena finished.

The partygoers began to clap as Stefan stood and pulled Elena into a hug. "I'm the lucky one" he whispered into her ear, kissing it before letting her go. He held her hand and looked adoringly at her for a moment, truly understanding how lucky he really was. Then Elena was being pulled away by Caroline and Stefan by one of his college friends.

Stefan said goodbye to all of his friends as they left one by one. There was a large stack of presents in the living room for him, and about half a cake left for him to finish over the next week.

He found Elena in the kitchen, cleaning up. "What can I do to help?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind her and resting his chin on her shoulder.

Elena smiled. "You can give Mia her bath and put her to bed" Elena told him. It was way past her bedtime.

Stefan smiled as he looked over at Mia, lounging in her swing and sucking on her binky. "I can do that" he said, kissing Elena's shoulder before going and grabbing Mia. "Come on little one" he said, picking her up and kissing her face. "I can't wait until you are old enough to help me eat left over cake" he said, disappearing from sight.

Elena smiled as she continued to clear dishes and pick up after the party. She was exhausted, but it was completely worth it to see Stefan smile so much.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Elena sat at the kitchen counter, having changed before Stefan wandered back downstairs. "She's asleep" he said, sitting down next to Elena. He turned to face her and smiled. "Thank you again for today."

Elena smiled as she grabbed for a folder next to her. "I have something for you" she said. Stefan looked at her curiously. "It's not a birthday present, but I wanted to give this to you tonight" she said, handing him the folder.

Stefan opened the folder and scanned the papers inside. Then he looked up at Elena. "Elena …" he said, not really sure what to say in that moment.

"You're her father. I don't need legal documents to tell me that. But I know these little details need to be taken care of. And, if you are ready to take full responsibility for her, I'm ready to let you" she said in one long breath before letting it out. "There's no rush, Stefan. You can take however long you need to sign them, if you want to at all. I just wanted you to know that you have the opportunity."

Stefan set the folder down and stood up. He walked out of the kitchen and Elena was extremely confused. But he was back less than a minute later, this time holding a pen as he sat back down and opened the folder. He signed off on every page. Elena's eyes watched his pen until he shut the folder. "Done" he smiled proudly, barely being able to push the folder away from him before Elena had flung herself into his arms, kissing him. He pulled away from her slightly. He rested his forehead against hers, locking his eyes with hers. "Thank you" he told her softly. "Mia means the world to me. I love her so much. If it is possible to love her any more than I already do, I will" he smiled, kissing her lips softly once again.

Elena wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. "I love watching you two. She is such a lucky little girl to have a man like you in her life" she told him.

"I'm the lucky one" Stefan said, repeating his words from earlier. "Mia is probably the best gift you could have ever given me."

Elena laughed slightly to herself as she pulled away from him. "Stop being so damn perfect" she told him with a hint of playfulness in her eyes.

"I wish I could" he grinned. He ran his hands up along her sides, enjoying the feel of her silky robe against his hands. "What's this?" he asked, continuing to feel her robe and attempting to get his hands in it. He had never seen it before.

Elena laughed as she grabbed his hands and pulled away from him. Then she smiled. "This is your actual birthday present" she told him. He stared at her, thinking he knew what she was referring to but not wanting to get his hopes up. "My checkup went great and I am free to … you know" she said, ducking her head slightly out of embarrassment. It wasn't every day she got to have sex with Stefan Salvatore. But hopefully that was about to change.

Stefan grabbed her face in his hands, stroking her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. He looked at her with such seriousness. "Are you wearing that little black thing?" he asked as a stupid grin fell across his face.

Elena shrugged. "Why don't you take me upstairs and find out?" she suggested.

He laughed at her response. "Okay" he said, standing up. He placed one arm around her back and one just behind her knees, picking her up and heading towards the stairs. Stefan stumbled four times when Elena had wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Somehow, they made it to the bedroom. Stefan leaned over and set her on the bed. "I'll be right back" he whispered.

Elena sat up on her elbows and looked at him curiously. "Where are you going?" she asked, smiling as she watched him back up away from the bed.

"You'll see" he told her, grinning. "Don't go anywhere" he added, pointing a finger at her before disappearing out of the room. Elena fell back and covered her face out of frustration, but she was still smiling. Because whatever he was doing, it more than likely had something to do with her.

Five minutes later, he was walking back into the room. She sat up again some, watching him. Stefan set six candles around the room, lighting them as he went. "Candles?" she asked, a huge smile appearing. He was such a romantic.

"And" he said, walking back to the bed. He pulled out a handful of rose petals from the pocket of his slacks and tossed them all over the bed near her. He crawled back on the bed, moving over her so he could kiss her again.

"You are such a romantic" Elena said before his lips captured hers.

"Only for you" he breathed against her skin, kissing her neck as his hands lingered on her sides, inching their wait toward the ties on her robe. Slowly, he pulled the ties apart and sat up some as he pulled her robe apart. Yes, she was wearing the little black silky thing. "Wow" was all he could get to come out of his mouth.

Elena sat up more and he helped her get the robe off. "Really?" Elena asked, looking down at herself and then back up at him. She hadn't been so sure she could pull it off.

Stefan grabbed her hands in his as he looked at her. "You would look amazing in anything, but this is pretty high up on my list" he grinned, kissing each of her hands as she blushed.

Elena pulled her hands away from his as she reached for his tie. "I love you in a tie" she said, loosening it and helping him get it off. She then reached for the buttons on his shirt and undid them one at a time, slowly. His eyes never left hers as she reached the last button and pushed his shirt off of his shoulders. He stood briefly, pushing is pants off so he could catch up to her.

Elena laid back and wrapped her arms around him when he joined her again on the bed. As nervous as she was about this, she soon forgot when Stefan was lying on top of her, kissing along one shoulder and then across to the other. It was exactly like their first time. He went slow, taking his time as he kissed every inch of skin on her. He kissed along her stomach, remembering how not that long ago, she was pregnant. He was thinking it would be amazing to see her pregnant again. Not that he needed another child, but raising kids with Elena was at the top of his list now. They were a great team, and she looked absolutely beautiful when she was expecting.

The only difference between now and their first time was, after he had removed her little black silky lingerie and she had discarded his boxer briefs soon after, he had whispered that he loved her - something he hadn't been able to do the first time.

Hearing Stefan whisper "I love you" as he made love to her was exactly what she needed to feel safe and secure with him, not only in that moment, but in her future with him. It pieced together for her what she had failed to see before. That Stefan loved her and nothing was going to change that. That she could screw up in their relationship and he would still be there. She needed to give him that same commitment. Her thoughts soon scattered though when she felt Stefan scrape his teeth against her shoulder. That was extremely hot. He smiled against her skin when he heard her moan softly.

It was slow and gentle and he had never felt closer to her in his entire life. He felt her nails press into his back slightly as he rocked against her. He brought his lips back to hers and kissed her gently. "I love you so much" he whispered, kissing her again. He could tell her that every day and she would never get tired of hearing it.

"Stefan" she breathed out, almost desperately, arching her back just slightly. His words had the right effect on her.

He knew. He was close too. "I know" he reassured her, bringing her legs up to wrap around his back. He panted against her ear, enjoying the feel of her against him.

When she cried out, he was gone too. They were both breathing hard and slightly sweaty, but that didn't stop him from kissing her soft and slow. Elena tore her lips away from his and turned her head to the side, still trying to take in air. Stefan settled for kissing along her neck again. "I can't believe I waited six years to do that again" she breathed out with a small, exhausted laugh. How had she not jumped him in bed the days following their first time when they were 18?

Stefan smiled, kissing her collarbone before pushing himself off of her. He looked down at her and smiled even more. "Just please don't make me wait that long for the next time" he said.

Elena grinned. "I think we have to do this again tomorrow" she said, laughing again as she closed her eyes. Gosh, she was tired.

Stefan kissed her lips one last time before rolling away from her momentarily. Stefan got them situated under the covers before he put her arms around her and pulled her close. "This was the best birthday ever" he said, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Even better than the one where I found you a snake out back and it got loose in your house?" she asked.

That had been his 8th birthday and he had to admit, that was pretty great. "That was pretty cool" he told her, gliding his hands down her arms. "But you were naked in this one so…" he said, earning a small tired giggle from her.

"Fair enough" she yawned before she could stop herself.

"Go to sleep" he whispered, kissing behind her ear gently.

She nodded before turning around to face him. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his chest. "I love you" she whispered, tilting her head up slightly to smile at him. She kissed his chest gently before closing her eyes.

"Love you too" he whispered back, kissing her head. He could feel her heartbeat against his chest and when her breathing started to even out, he looked down and saw that she was out.

A half an hour passed and just as he was about to fall asleep himself, the baby monitor lit up and a string of quiet fussy noises appeared. Stefan smiled, easing Elena out of his arms and laying her head on his pillow. Carefully, he got out of bed and grabbed a pair of sweats to put on. As tired as he was and as much as he wanted to stay wrapped up with Elena, he had more of a reason to smile.

His daughter was wide awake when he walked into her room. He cherished these moments, during the middle of the night or early morning, because it was just the two of them. When she was changed and fed, he would just sit with her and rock her, talking to her like he would if she were able to talk back. Because one day she would be able to, and she would call him "daddy."

And that moment would make him feel more like a father than any legal document could.

A/N: I don't like writing this kind of sexy time because I'm no good at it, but I hope it was descent without crossing the line too much. ;)