Previously in "A Soldier's Coming Home", Amanda gives birth to a daughter and Meredith has twins.
Chapter Twenty-One
Salvatore Boardinghouse – Next Day…
Rebekah smiled at Stefan as she watched him sleep. She liked how cute he was with his eyes closed. Stefan groaned and said, "You're staring again."
"I can't help it," she replied. "You're so cute when you're asleep."
He smirked then pulled her on top of him, resting his hands in a soft but still firm grip on her waist. "And you're very beautiful," he replied back, sitting up to kiss her softly.
Rebekah smiled against his lips and returned his kiss, moaning as their tongues danced. She broke the kiss first when she heard his mother's voice on the other side of the door. "Stefan Salvatore, you better not be in there playing hooky! You have a new job to get to today!"
Stefan groaned and said, "All right, Mom!" He looked at Rebekah. "I wish I didn't have to leave, Bekah, but I don't want to make a bad impression."
She nodded and climbed off of him, watching as he got dressed in a nice suit. Before he left, he gave her a soft kiss on the lips.
Rebekah smiled. "Good luck, my love. I'll see you later."
"I will see you later, Bekah," Stefan said with a sly grin at her before leaving the bedroom.
Rebekah smiled as she watched him leave the room and then placed a gentle hand on her belly. "There goes your daddy, little one."
After she got dressed, Rebekah ventured downstairs and found Stefan's mother making soup.
Elisabetta smiled at Rebekah. "Good morning, Rebekah. How are you feeling today?"
"The baby is getting more active than ever," she told her future mother-in-law.
Elisabetta gently placed her hand on Rebekah's belly and felt a kick. "You're right, he's definitely active today." She sighed. "I'm looking forward to becoming a grandmother again. When you announced that you were pregnant, I was over the moon. I could tell that Stefan was eager to have children, especially when he saw how happy his brother and Elena were with Carrie and Damian."
Rebekah nodded and smiled. "We are planning to name him Dante, after your father," she told Elisabetta, who began to tear up at the name.
"I think my father would be pleased if he were alive right now," Elisabetta said. "You know, when I was pregnant with Damon, I was originally going to name him Dante. But, when he was born, he looked more like a Damon than a Dante, so I changed my mind."
"He's definitely more of a Damon," Rebekah said with a smile.
Elisabetta laughed. "Yeah, you're right about that." She kissed Rebekah on the cheek and then kissed her belly. "I can't wait to meet you, Dante. I'm going to spoil you rotten. That is, if Mikael and Eleanor don't beat me to it."
Rebekah laughs softly. "He's going to be a very lucky boy," she told the brunette.
Elisabetta nodded. "Indeed." She cleared her throat. "Now, let's have some soup before it gets cold."
"Okay," Rebekah replied with a smile as she sat down at the kitchen table.
Meanwhile, Stefan arrived at his new job. He exhaled deeply and went inside, determined to make a good first impression. He spotted his new boss and walked over to him, surprised when the man turned around and it was Mikael.
Mikael smiled at his future son-in-law. "Hello, Stefan. Punctual, I see. That's good."
"I wanted to make a good impression, Mikael," he told Rebekah's father.
Mikael nodded. "I like that in an employee, Stefan. It shows good work ethic, which is why I hired you." He smiled. "That and I know that Rebekah would be angry at me if I didn't at least give her future husband a job."
Stefan chuckled quietly. "I would like to have a decent paying job so that I can spoil Rebekah and the baby."
Mikael nodded. "Of course you do." He motioned for Stefan to follow him. "Come, I'll show you to your office."
Stefan nodded and followed Mikael down the hall to a door just to the right.
"This will be your office, Stefan." He gestured to a young woman at a desk next to his. "This is Christina, your secretary."
She had red hair and a bright smile. "It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Salvatore," she told him.
Stefan smiled politely. "It's nice to meet you too. I think we're going to get along just fine."
Christmas, Later that Year…
Stefan chuckled as he stroked his hand over Rebekah's protruding belly. They had gathered with her family, his brother & Elena, his cousin & Jules, who was expecting her second child and Elisabetta, who was taking lots of pictures with the new camera Stefan and Damon had gotten her.
Eleanor brought out the turkey she had been working on all day at home. "All right, everyone, turkey time."
All of her stepsons grinned as they got up then helped their wives up before each of the siblings, as well as Zach & Jules and Damon & Elena followed her into the dining room, where a large table setting had been set up.
Finn smiled at the turkey on the table. "Eleanor, this is good. I can't wait to carve into it."
Eleanor handed him the carving knife. "Would you like to do the honors?" she asked with a smile.
Finn took the knife from his stepmother, kissing her cheek. "Don't mind if I do."
He carved into the turkey gently and slowly, smirking over at his wife when he revealed the crisp golden insides of the turkey. "That's a fine turkey, Eleanor," Sage said with a smile.
Eleanor smiled. "Thank you, Sage. I wanted to do something extra special."
"Well, you certainly made it special. Not just for the adults, but for the kids as well," Sage said, turning when Ruby and Bridget came running up to hug their mom around the waist.
"I agree with Sage," Finn said. "You certainly did make things special for us."
Two-year-old Bridget gave Eleanor a toothless smile. "Love you, Nana!" she said excitedly. Finn chuckled then ran a hand over his daughter's dark red hair.
Eleanor smiled at her granddaughter and then looked at Finn, who was finished carving into the turkey. "Finn, could you lead us in the blessing? You do it so well."
"Of course," Finn said before everyone bowed their heads and closed their eyes. "Heavenly father, we ask that you bless this feast and the gathering of this extended family. We also ask that you watch over Rebekah as she delivers a safe and healthy child, and that you watch over those that are not with us. Amen."
"Amen!" everyone echoed before Eleanor and Sage began handing out plates to everyone.
Caroline suddenly felt nauseous and left the table, Klaus following after her. He followed her to the bathroom, where he saw her throwing up. Concerned, he went in and knelt next to her, holding her hair back and rubbing her back. Finally, she leaned back against him, sweating profusely. Klaus flushed the toilet and for the next few minutes, there was silence as he held her close. "I'm sorry, love. I wouldn't have planned to come here if you weren't well."
"It's not your fault, Nik," she replied. "It's the baby."
"I'm sorry, the what?"
"The baby," Caroline said. "Nik, I'm pregnant; that's why I haven't been feeling well. I wanted to tell you, but I didn't want to upstage Eleanor."
"I'm glad you told me," Klaus said. "Later, when you're up to it, we'll tell everyone else."
She nodded then let him help her up and they went back to the dining room.
Eleanor noticed Klaus and Caroline returning to the dining room and was curious about the smiles on their faces. She wanted to ask them about it, but decided against it, knowing that they'd tell her when they were ready.
Later, after everyone gathered around the tree once more, Klaus looked at Caroline and smiled. She gave him an encouraging nod to go on and he turned to his family to say, "Everyone, Caroline and I have some exciting news. Liam and Anastasia are going to be joined by another Mikaelson soon."
Eleanor nodded. "I knew there was something different about you two." She then hugged Caroline. "But, I'm definitely looking forward to becoming a grandmother again."
Liam came running up to his mom after hearing the announcement. "When will the baby be here?" he asked her.
Klaus picked his son up and settled him on his hip. "Mommy's belly has to get a little bigger before the baby is ready, buddy," he told him, gently tweaking Liam's nose, smiling when Liam let out a giggle.
Caroline smiled at Liam. "That's right, sweetheart, the baby will be here when Mommy's belly is big enough. Then, you and Anastasia will have a little brother or sister."
While Klaus and Caroline talked to Liam, Sage stood close to Finn before going over to the tree, picking up a small present and taking it back to her husband. "What's this?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Open it and see," she demanded with a grin.
Finn opened the gift and looked at Sage. "Is this the pocket watch I saw in the window of the store?"
"It is," she replied. "I bought it for you." Turning it over, she showed him the inscription on the back.
"That says baby number 3, Sage." Finn glanced at her again to see her nodding.
Finn smiled and pulled her into his arms. "Oh, Sage, that's wonderful news! First Niklaus and Caroline announce that they're having another baby, and we're having another one too."
All conversation stopped when they heard Finn's proclamation and he and Sage turned to glance at his family. "It's true, everyone! We're going to have a boy!"
Eleanor smiled and applauded. "Oh, this is the best Christmas present I ever received."
Later, Eleanor was cleaning up all the wrapping paper from the presents that had since been taken home with the right child when she heard the front door open. Eleanor went to see who it was and placed her hand on her heart when she saw it was her husband. "Mikael, thank goodness."
Mikael smiled and kissed her softly. "Hello, my love. Sorry I wasn't here, I was going over the inventory. Are there any leftovers?"
"Yes. And I also have news. Finn and Sage, and Niklaus and Caroline, are going to give us more family soon," Eleanor told him as she pulled him to the kitchen so that she could get his leftovers out of the ice box.
Mikael smiled. "That's wonderful news."
Eleanor nodded. "Yes, it definitely is."
Mikael saw the brief pass of sadness in his wife's eyes and he embraced her, kissing the top of her head. "I am sorry that I did not get to enjoy the celebration for Christmas. I know the children and grandchildren enjoy my imitation of Santa Claus," he told her softly.
Eleanor nodded and returned his kiss. "They did. Liam kept asking about you. Finn did a good job, but they were expecting you."
Mikael kissed her again. "We'll have another celebration, and I'll make up for it."
Over at the Donovan-Lockwood-Talbot Celebration…
Tyler stood up as he gently tapped his fork against his wine glass while he smiled over at Meghan. Tyler cleared his throat. "Friends, family, I have an announcement to make. Meghan and I will be adding to the family very soon. T.J. and Camilla will be joined by another Lockwood."
"Oh, this is wonderful news!" Tyler's mother Carol said, excitedly clapping her hands.
Tyler smiled. "Thank you, Mom." He looked at Meghan. "I love you so much, Meghan."
"I love you too, Tyler," she said as she stood up and kissed him softly.
Carol smiled. "I think this is a celebration of not only Christmas, but my son and daughter-in-law's blessed event."
"Since Tyler announced that, I think its time that I announce that both of my children are going to make Reed and me grandparents again," Kelly said with a beaming smile.
Carol smiled at Kelly. "Congratulations, Kelly. You and Reed must be proud."
"We're over the moon about it," Reed replied with a smile at his wife.
Kelly smiled back at Reed. "We definitely are."
Author's Note: Updating time! I hope all enjoyed this one, because the next one will probably be the arrival of another Salvatore – or maybe two!