"Explain to me why we're moving again, please?" Max asked James. "I thought things were all right here. If it's about the condition of the castle, all I have to do is call Astrid and she'll fix up anything you want!"
"It's not about the castle, Max," James told him. "Apparently, it's about this whole damn place. One visit to Lenora's relatives on the outside and suddenly, this humble dimension's not enough for her anymore."
"It's not about me!" Lenora told him, looking disapproving. "It's about making a better life for our son, who's going to be born very soon. I just want him to start out the right way."
"Why can't you act like a normal pregnant teenager and be chronically irresponsible?" James asked irritably. "Why do you have to be so on top of things?"
"Because someone has to be," Lenora told him. "And it obviously wouldn't be you. Now, Aunt Lucy is gonna show us some really nice properties down where she and Damon live. That's a good idea, don't you think?"
"You are lucky that Damon lives in that house too, because if it was just your Aunt Lucy, who is a harsh, judgmental person, I wouldn't want to go," James told her.
"Oh, Aunt Lucy's not that bad," Lenora told him. "She's a genius, you know, and geniuses are always peculiar." She paused. "You know, maybe if you talked to her, you would find that she's not so bad."
James scoffed. "I could try," he told her. "But I doubt your perfect aunt would let me near her. She made it clear that she doesn't think I'm good for you."
"And why the hell do you think that matters?" Lenora asked. "Do you think that just because Aunt Lucy has a negative opinion of you that I suddenly will too, just to make her happy? I'm not gonna do that, James. You're good company and I think my life would be really empty if you weren't in it. So stop worrying about Aunt Lucy, please? I'm sure that Damon will help her come around."
"You could have been nicer," Damon told Lucy.
"Nicer to whom? The guy who impregnated Lenora?" Lucy asked. "Why should I be?"
"It would be one thing if she was upset about it, but she seems all right," Damon replied. "What if being with James is what makes her happy? Do you really want to risk ruining your relationship with her because you're being stubborn?"
"I think she deserves better than him," Lucy told him. "Someone smart and understanding and responsible. That's what she deserves. Not some loser who kills people for fun."
"I was like James once," Damon pointed out. "How are he and Lenora different from you and me?"
Lucy opened her mouth and then shut it, finally saying, "I don't know, but they just are!"
"Would you just give them a chance?" Damon asked. "I think you should."
Lucy sighed. "Fine," she said. "I'll try to be on my best behavior, but I doubt my feelings about him will change."
"But they might," Damon told her. "If your family can deal with you and me and be civil, I think you can do the same for Lenora and James."
Lucy heaved an agitated sigh. "Fine," she grumped. "I'll be seeing them when we go to look at houses tomorrow. Then maybe I can suggest a coffee date or something.
Damon grinned. "There's my girl," he said to her. "Was that really so hard?"
"You'll never guess, brother," Damon said when he opened the door to Klaus'. "I made myself a new friend."
"Oh, really?" Stefan asked dryly. "How nice for you. I assume your new friend is better than my new friend? Or at least a man?"
"What do you mean?" Damon asked, his eyebrows knitting.
Stefan sighed. "Just watch." They waited a few seconds and Felicity came running out. "Why are you here? You're supposed to be playing dress up with me. Come on!" She began trying to pull him away, but he resisted. "Felicity, can't you see that we have company?"
Felicity stopped pulling and looked at Damon. "Hi," she said. A flush crept up her cheeks. "Sorry."
"It's all right, sweetie," Damon told her. "You didn't know." Felicity looked up at Stefan. "Who is that again?"
"That's my brother," Stefan told her. "Damon."
"But I thought Daddy was your brother," Felicity replied. "I'm confused!"
"Well, they both are," Stefan told her. "It's just that Damon and I are brothers because we have the same parents and your dad and I are brothers in the sense that it's another word for 'friends'."
Damon laughed a little. "This is so cute seeing you explain things to a little kid," he told Stefan. "I never pegged you as the fatherly type."
Stefan's eyes narrowed. "You want me to show you cute?" He asked, his voice tight.
"Are you gonna fight each other?" Felicity asked, her eyes wide.
"Possibly," Stefan replied. "And I don't care if it'll scar you for life."
"Oh, it won't," Felicity assured him. "I want to watch."
Damon saw the eager look in the litte girl's eyes and pulled his brother aside. "Should we be worried that she's that excited to watch us beat up on each other? Is it normal or is she just a weird kid?"
"Well, she's related to Klaus, so what else would you expect?" Stefan asked. "She's his granddaughter although she thinks that he's her father."
"And you aren't telling her the truth because...why?" Damon asked.
"Well, her father is Klaus and Selina's son and he abandoned her or something, and told Klaus to raise her. And he and Selina don't want her to know about her real parents until she's older, cause they're evil or something now." Stefan shrugged. "That's just what I've gathered. I can't really say I know the complete truth."
Damon put a hand on Stefan's shoulder. "How do you let yourself get involved with all this crazy stuff?" He asked. "I think you and I both need to get away for a bit."
"Why?" Stefan asked. "What mess have you gotten yourself involved in?"
"It's a Lucy problem," Damon replied. "And a Lenora problem."
"Does it have to do with your new friend?" Stefan asked.
"Hey!" Felicity yelled. "Are you gonna fight each other, or are you just gonna talk?"
"Would it irritate you if we keep talking?" Stefan asked her.
"Yes!" Felicity nodded. "I wanna see some fighting!"
"Then we're gonna keep talking," Stefan told her. "Can't you think of some other way to entertain yourself? That's actually a very important skill. Learn it."
"Fine, you big meanie!" Felicity replied, striding off to her room. "I'm gonna play a game and you won't be invited, and then you'll be sorry!"
"Yeah," Stefan called. "I'm sure I will! Not!" He turned back to Damon with a smirk on his face. "And that, brother, is the way you handle a whiny, smart-mouth brat."
Damon nodded. "Very effective. I'm proud."
"I'm telling Daddy on you!" Felicity called angrily. "You're supposed to be watching me!"
"Well, guess what?" Stefan called back. "You can tell him whatever the hell you want 'cause I really don't care!"
"Wow," Damon replied. "Nice kid."
Stefan sighed. "I know, right? You can definitely tell who she's related to once she opens her mouth. But if you just look at her when her mouth is closed, she's cute. That's how she draws you in and traps you. That's why I have to stay firm with her. Otherwise she makes me do tea parties and play dress up and god knows what else, and I just won't do it. I won't."
"And you're stuck here with her until Klaus gets back?" Damon asked.
"Basically," Stefan nodded. "Yes, I am."
Damon sucked in his breath and put a hand on Stefan's shoulder. "Wow, Stefan. I'm really sorry."
"Was watching Lenora this difficult?" Stefan asked.
"Even more so," Damon replied. "I had Lenora's magic powers to contend with. You don't."
Stefan turned. "Actually," he muttered. "I do." Felicity is...Felicity is Lenora's sister."
"Wow," Damon grinned. "Way to get on the bad side of a witch, brother. I would rather be back at home listen to Lucy complain about Lenora's new boyfriend, who is actually really great by the way; I'll have to introduce you some time, then be here and watch Felicity take revenge on you. Bye!"
"Hey!" Stefan called as Damon made his way toward the door. "You can't just leave me here!" But Damon made no indication that he heard him and when Stefan turned away from the door, he found Felicity looking at him with an innocent smile.
"You know what I just remembered?" She asked him.
"What did you remember?" Stefan asked.
"I remembered that I have magic powers and can use them if you make me mad," Felicity replied. "And you have. You hurt my feelings really a lot."
"So what?" Stefan asked. "Are you gonna turn me into something? I don't care. Go ahead and do it. It'll be interesting to see how you explain it to your father when he gets home."
When Klaus arrived home that night, he found Felicity cradling a dog. "Where did you get that?" He asked as he got closer to her and the puppy tried to scramble free of her grip.
"It's Uncle Stefan," Felicity admitted. "He hurt my feelings so I made him into a puppy."
"Now, pet, you know that's not a nice thing to do to someone," Klaus told her. "I want you to change him back."
"Why?!" Felicity whined. "He doesn't even like me when he's a person and that's all I want."
"But why did you think that turning him into a puppy would make him like you better?" Klaus asked.
"Because puppies like everyone," Felicity replied. "Even me."
Klaus didn't know what to say to this pronouncement. He just stood there looking at Felicity clutching Stefan the dog, who was clawing and biting her as he tried to get away.
"Why don't you give him to me for a little while?" he said finally. "Your arms and hands need time to heal."
"Okay," Felicity replied, pouting. She went to her room and then Klaus, after putting Stefan the dog on his bed, went to tuck Felicity in.
"Are you mad at me for what I did to Uncle Stefan?" She asked. "Do you hate me?"
"No," Klaus told her, taking her in his arms. "Of course I don't. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be liked. I've done some pretty awful things so people would love me, too."
"You have?" Felicity asked. "Like what?"
Klaus gave her a sad smile. "I'll tell you later," he replied. "It's not something you should hear right before bedtime."
"All right," Felicity nodded. "Good night, Daddy."
Klaus grinned and turned off the light. "Good night, pet," he replied.
"So what do you think of this house?" The realtor asked as Lucy, James and Lenora plodded after her. They were looking at a similar house to all the others they'd looked at that day. "It has a big yard, it's near a school, there's lots of children...perfect for newlyweds planning on starting a family."
"We're not newlyweds," James spoke quickly. "That's not what we are."
"Well, I'm sorry," the realtor said. "I just assumed, you know, since she's pregnant and all. Was it hard to explain the mistake you made to your parents?"
"Don't you go calling our child a mistake!" Lenora yelled. "We want him! And even if we didn't, it's none of your damn business. Now, let's leave here and go back to the house we were looking at before this. You barely let us spend any time there."
The realtor frowned. "You mean the old, rundown mansion near the cemetery?" She asked, eyebrows raised. "I don't know why I even showed you that place. Sure, the company's been trying to get it off our books for years, but..."
"We'll take it!" James told her. "It wasn't much different from our old house. We appreciate a fixer-upper."
"Are you sure?" Lucy asked, eyebrow raised.
"Yes," Lenora nodded. "We're sure, Aunt Lucy."
"All right," the realtor replied, even though she still looked skeptical. "Let's sign some papers, then."
"And are you still wanting to go out for coffee after this?" Lenora asked Lucy.
"Sure," Lucy nodded. "It was my idea. There's no way I'd back out of it now."
They signed the papers and then headed to a nearby coffee shop. "So," Lenora asked Lucy. "What inspired you to have us come here?"
"Well, I realized I might have come off a little harsh the first time we met and I wanted to apologize for my behavior," Lucy replied.
Lenora grinned. "Well, that's sweet, Aunt Lucy. Thank you."
"After all," Lucy sighed. "My family wasn't too happy when I decided to be with Damon but I stayed firm on my decision. And I'm happy. Can I assume the two of you are as well?"
"We get along," Lenora nodded. "I think it would be too soon to say that we're 'in love' so to speak, but he's good company and puts up with me, so I don't think I can ask for too much more."
"Do you feel the same about Lenora, James?" Lucy asked him, eyes slightly narrowed.
The intensity of her gaze made James spit coffee all over his front, then he began choking.
Lenora whacked him on the back a few times and when he could finally breathe, he asked, "What's the question again?"
"Do you feel about Lenora the same way she feels about you?" Lucy repeated.
"Well, I don't hate her, if that's what you're asking," James replied. "She keeps things interesting for me."
"See?" Lenora told Lucy triumphantly. "I told you he likes me!"
"He better," Lucy replied, taking a sip of coffee. "Otherwise, life for your child will be hellish."
"Now it's my turn to talk," James said. "Lucy, why don't you like me? You seem to be attracted to a man who's very similar."
"I knew Damon my whole life before he and I got together," Lucy said. "You're just a man Lenora's known for not even a year yet. And I heard you tricked her into starting a relationship with you. How can you expect me to condone that?"
"I don't expect you to condone anything that we do," James told her. "And whether you do or not doesn't matter to me because we're happy the way we are and I don't want you making either of us, but especially Lenora, feel guilty because she made a choice that didn't live up to your standards! She's a damn good girl. She's smart, she's bold, she's strong, and if you think the best way for her to live is with some accountant who'll make her have three kids and a dog or whatever, you really are holding her back and should be incredibly ashamed of yourself."
After this outburst from James, the three of them sat in awkward silence, drinking their coffees until Lucy finally said, "So, do you two want to come over for dinner with Damon and me sometime?"
A little over a month later, James and Lenora had settled nicely into their new house and had even made up a nice little nursery for the baby, who they planned to name Henry Alistair Black. One day, Max came into the kitchen with breakfast and as he put the plate of bacon down, he said, "I have a request. A friend of mine has come to town. He'll only be here overnight and I was wondering if I might go out and visit him. I don't have to, though, if you think it's too close to the time the baby will be born and you need me."
"Please, go ahead and go," James told him. "We still have plenty of time before we have to worry about that. Right?" He asked Lenora, who nodded, a smile plastered on her face. The truth was, she'd started having contractions a few hours before, but they weren't stopping her from doing anything, so she hadn't thought a thing of it. And she didn't want to ruin this for Max. He so rarely got to go out.
But once he was gone, Lenora's contractions started getting stronger. "Damn!" She muttered under her breath as she curled up on the living room floor. "Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn!"
"What?" James asked. "Please don't tell me the baby's coming."
Lenora gritted her teeth and let out a yell. "The baby's coming!"
"Right this minute?" James asked. "All right, let me call Max."
"No!" Lenora rocked back and forth. "Don't call Max! He deserves a night off! We can do this ourselves! We can bring a kid into the world! Now help me get my clothes off!"
James grinned. "I have no problem with that."
Once Lenora was undressed, she lay down on a few towels, and an hour or so later, the baby came into the world.
"I did it!" James said as he held onto his son. "I have a son."
"I did it," Lenora corrected, panting. "You helped. And yes, we have a son." She sat up and smiled at James. "Thank you," she said. "Now, I'll take him, while you go call my grandmother and she can help us clean him up and stuff, okay?"
"Yeah, sure," James panted. "Why not?" He gave his son a long look and lightly touched the boy's spattering of dark hair with the tips of his fingers. "Welcome to the world, Henry. Welcome to the world."
