His hand reached out to touch her face and stroke her cheek. She smiled closing her eyes but he told her to open them since he loved them so much. She did as she was told staring back into those eyes of his and suddenly fell deeper in love. She needed to tell him, but she's scared that telling him would ruin everything that they fought so hard to build. She wanted him to tell her first, needs him to tell her first to make everything okay.
"I have to leave soon,"
"Where?"
He chuckled. "To work. You should get some sleep while I'm gone."
"I don't think I can."
"Why not?"
"Because I'll miss you too much."
He sighed trailing his eyes over her clean face then kissed her once. "I…" her eyes widened as he stumbled. "I'll miss you too, I should get ready."
He kissed her again before getting off the bed. Bonnie sighed and only moved from her spot on the bed when her best friends called her out for lunch.
Stefan placed his hand on her shoulder snapping her out of her memory unknowingly so giving her slightly concerned eyes. "You alright?"
"Yeah I'm fine. Just thinking about something,"
"What?"
She looked up at him. "The day that you should've told me that you loved me."
He let out a breath chuckling a little sitting down on the bed. "Which day was that? I had multiple, thousands of times,"
"But this one was different. You wanted to tell me, but you changed your mind for some reason. When we were just lying in bed gazing at one another and then you told me that you had to leave and I asked you where and you chuckled and said work. You said that I should sleep while you're gone and I told you that I couldn't because I'll miss you too much to sleep. Then you stumbled. You wanted to say it but you replaced it with 'I'll miss you too' then you kissed me and left me."
Stefan watched her then looked away remembering the exact moment she told him about. "You're right. Bonnie, I was-"
"Scared, I know." She finished. "I know."
He shifted to his side and placed his hand on her face, stroking her cheek. "I love you. I love you so much. More than I could ever imagine." She closed her eyes as he kissed her then turned walking out of the room to get Stella who started to cry.
"If I told you how I felt, where would we be right now?"
"Here. Like this, only engaged if not eloped."
"You would elope with me?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
He smiled the kissed their little girl's head who was in his arms.
"I honestly think that the only thing that would change is our bed routine if you know what I mean."
He shook his head. "I miss fucking you."
"Hey, baby," she hit his arm.
He chuckled but then went serious. "Do you plan on sleeping with Matt?"
"I'm not answering that question,"
"Why?"
"Well firstly, it's none of your business and two, it's none of your business."
"You're the person I love and you love me so I say it is my business."
She sighed. "I'll put it this way: I'm not thinking about sleeping with anyone right now."
And like clockwork, the doorbell rang and Matt was the cause of it. Stefan watched them hug then closed his teeth tighter as they shared a kiss.
"Uh, this is," she walked over to Stefan taking their girl out of his hands. "This is Stella."
Matt smiled running his thumb along her cheek. "Hey, baby girl," his smile widened when the corner of her lip lifted on a half smile.
"Looks like she likes you," Bonnie said smiling herself.
"Let me take you two out for lunch."
"Eh-"
"We won't stay out long, I promise. And when's the last time you got some fresh air?"
"I highly doubt a restaurant is considered as "fresh air"," Stefan spoke.
They both have him a look before returning their eyes back to each other. "Okay, let me change really quick."
Matt smiled then held Stella as Bonnie handed her to him before going up the stairs but Stefan quickly took her back. "I have to wish my child goodbye."
"Look, Stefan, this isn't easy for me just as it isn't for you, a matter of fact it's even harder for me so I'll appreciate it if you stop with the snarky comments. I get it, I'm not the father and I never will be…fully anyway. So if that's the only thing that we can agree on then let's hold on to that and at least try to be civil."
Before Stefan could respond, Bonnie came down the stairs and soon Stefan found himself alone.
Bonnie smiled watching Matt and Stella. He was a natural, a pure natural and it was oddly surprising.
Matt kissed the little girl's stomach after he changed her diaper causing her to kick her legs in response. He lifted her in his arms and carried over to his bed where Bonnie was lying. He kissed her a few times before returning his attention back to Stella.
"Spend the night, please." He looked back over at her.
"Okay."
"Yeah?" She nodded. "That was easier than I thought."
Bonnie chuckled. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." He moved his hand to the side of her face kissing her again.
"I feel like I should be completely honest with you about everything,"
"I feel the same. No matter how much it'll hurt."
"Okay," she let out a breath. "I love Stefan and with you, I'm still adjusting on transferring that friendship love to real love. When will that happen, I don't know."
"That's understandable."
"Um. Stefan and I have kissed since everything and I am sorry. I'm with you and I need to stop acting like I'm not. I hate to blame it on the hormones, but," she shrugged. "We also talked out our future, where would we be if he admitted his feelings for me earlier and had not cheated on me,"
"And where would that have been?"
"We would've been engaged or had eloped. Everything else would've been the same."
"And where do you see us?"
"Honestly, I see us making it. With Stefan giving us hell, of course, but we can take him."
He smiled. "I see the same. But just as you're honest with me, I'll be honest with you when I say that I also see you choosing him. I don't want to place pressure on you, Bon in any way-"
"Are you breaking up with me,"
"No and yes. You're confused, you're not sure on what or who you want and I don't want you to feel like it has to be me. When you make your final decision on who you want, I don't want you to have to worry about the other, sure, if you choose Stefan I'll be hurt but I'll get over it and if you choose me Stefan will be hurt but he'll get over it too because we love you. We want you happy, you don't need any added stress. So lets just put a pause on us but keep our relationship going. I still want to kiss you and hold you and sleep next to you just because I am selfish, but I want you to do whatever you want."
"Okay," she whispered.
Matt wiped the read that slipped from her eye then kissed her lips longly once. "I love you." He told her looking into her eyes. "I just want you to know where my heart is."
Bonnie got in bed after placing Stella in the crib and laid beside Matt. Stefan was angry at her and protested against her sleeping over especially with Stella there as well but she told him that she'll be there tomorrow and ended the call. She let out a breath through her nose as Matt pulled her close before kissing the top of her head. He moved his other arm around her securing her then ran it up her back a few times then she was asleep.
Stefan tilted his wrist back holding the glass having the liquor spill in his mouth. He placed the glass down then asked for another downing that one just as the previous.
"Easy, brother, you're acting like she's going to Cancun with the boy."
"First it's a sleepover then next is Cancun."
"Damn, this Bonnie chick has got you good. Why do you love her anyway?"
"What type of question is that?" He took another shot.
"A very serious question. If you can express it then it isn't real. You're just like this because another man is involved. That and a baby."
"That can be a reason why I'm like this but it's not why I love her. Everyone loves her, she's nice and makes you question yourself and she cares. She's the only one who I told about mom and dad. And you."
"I'm back now aren't I?"
"Yeah, now when I don't need you."
"Actually I think it's quite the opposite. You told her how I left, right? Then use it. I'm back, pretend that you're broken up over it. You said she cared so use it against her, you'll be in her pants in no time."
Stefan thought and hated to say that it was actually a good idea.
"And in the meantime, pick you up a chick for a warm up."
"If I sleep with any other woman, I'm done. Bonnie will find out and leave."
"Chill, brother alright. Then I guess I'll be the only one having fun tonight." He took a swig of beer then walked away.
...
Bonnie groaned then reached over from her phone. "Hello?"
"I need you."
"Stefan?" Bonnie pulled the phone away from her ear checking the contact as Matt woke up.
"He's back, Bonnie."
"Who?"
"Damon, my brother."
She sat up. "What? How are- are you okay?"
"I need you. Please come home, please."
"O-okay, okay. I'll see you soon." She ended the call.
"What happened?"
"Stefan had a…less fortunate childhood, to say the least, and it just caught up to him." She halfway explained getting changed.
"Will you be okay?"
"Yeah, I should be fine." She slipped on her pants.
"You should be?"
"I'll be fine. I promise." She moved in and kissed him before taking Stella out the crib trying to not wake her up.
Matt got up too to drive her back and sighed watching her walk up the pathway.
Bonnie locked the door behind her then headed upstairs and placed Stella in her crib before looking for Stefan. She found him in their room with a bottle in his hand. She sighed then walked over to him taking the clear glass away. "Stef,"
"I'm sorry,"
"No, don't apologize." She sat on his lap. "How do you feel?"
"I don't want to talk about it, I just- I just need to hold you."
"Okay,"
Stefan stood holding her in his arms then laid them down on the bed. Their foreheads connected and Bonnie moved her arm around him and her fingers moved in his hair as he held her. Stefan closed his eyes feeling complete with her here. It's how he always feels now whenever she's near. He moved his hand up her ass then stopped on her mid-back. He kissed her in the next moment then again and she kissed him back.
He rolled forcing her on her back and her leg went around him. He grabbed the back of her thigh then released it to take off his shirt then kissed her again deeply. His hands slipped underneath her shirt then he pulled his body away to toss it on the ground before leaning in again kissing her chest.
"Wait, Stef. I…this isn't a good idea."
He watched her then closed his eyes. "You're right. I'm sorry,"
"It's okay. You're just- you just need to talk to me instead of masking it with other things."
"I told you I don't want to talk about it."
"Why not?"
"Because I just don't, okay?!" He sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you, I don't want to yell at you."
"But you're mad at Damon,"
"I don't know. The worst part is that I don't know. He shows up and we're brothers again, no apologies or hatred just brothers. What does that say about me, that I'm weak or- or that I have just stopped giving fucks about my life."
"Maybe it's both. I wouldn't say you're weak but you're strong enough to forgive your brother instead of holding a grudge. And maybe you did stop giving fucks but that's what you needed to do to forget and move on."
"So what do I do?"
"Whatever you want. But I say at least ask him for an explanation. He doesn't get to come back and act like he didn't break your heart and you can't let him believe that he didn't and don't act like he didn't either."
They held eye contact until Stella's cry was heard.
Bonnie woke up secured under Stefan's arm who was still asleep breathing softly near her ear. She moved her hand to cover his, fitting her fingers in the spaces of his bringing it up to her mouth to which she kissed. He stirred slightly moving in closer.
"Baby?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
She smiled a little. "I love you too."
He kissed the back of her shoulder before getting some more rest.
She held her phone up to her ear then looked back seeing Stefan playing with Stella so she knew that she was in the clear.
"Hey,"
"Hey, Matt," she smiled letting out a breath.
"How was everything?"
"Good I guess. I had to push but I got him to talk about it."
"I wouldn't expect anything less from you."
She chuckled. "I wanted to wake up next to you."
"I wanted the same. At least we kind of got that right? Although it wasn't in the morning, we woke up."
She smiled, "You're the optimistic type aren't you?"
"You should know this about me by now, Bon."
She laughed a little. "Maybe we can try again?"
"I would love to, but not tonight. I don't get off of work till late."
"Man, okay."
He chuckled. "You miss me, babe?"
"Of course I do."
"I love you." She smiled. "Don't fall for me too hard okay?"
She chuckled. "No promises."
He let out a breath. "I have to go but hopefully I can call you later."
"Okay. Bye,"
"Bye, have a good day."
"You too."
Bonnie sighed removing the phone from her ear then turned around walking over to Stefan and Stella. "Are you hungry?" He asked moving some hair behind her ear.
"I can eat."
"I'll take you out, just you and me."
"Who's gonna take care of our baby?"
"Caroline. I texted her earlier, she said she's free."
"Okay,"
"Yeah?" She nodded then closed her eyes when he leaned in kissing the side of her mouth.
...
Bonnie smiled handing her menu to the waiter after she ordered. She let out a breath looking out the window then at Stefan who was looking at her.
"She's fine."
"I know,"
"Caroline won't let anything happen to her."
"I know, I know. I just can't help but worry."
He smiled moving his hand to the side of her face stroking her cheek with his thumb before kissing her. Bonnie pulled away moving her head down a little connecting their foreheads.
"Well, it looks like you two made up." A voice said causing them to pull away and look over seeing a man taking a seat in front of them.
"I'm sorry, who are-"
"Damon," Stefan said growing sudden anger cutting Bonnie off from her question.
She looked between the two linking her fingers with Stefan's.
Damon held out his hands in confusion. "What's up man, I thought we were cool?"
"I was drunk."
He chuckled scooting in. "Well, you aren't now so lay it on me."
"I want an apology. I want to know why then I want an apology."
"Why what?"
"You're such a dick." Bonnie scoffed not being able to hold her tongue.
"Bluntness, something you forgot to mention to me last night." He looked over at his baby bro.
"Why did you lie to me?"
He sighed. "I didn't lie, Stefan. I said I'd come back and unless this is a dream, I'm back."
"You know what, go fuck yourself." He stood up taking Bonnie with him starting to head got the exit.
"Wait, wait." He spoke stopping their movement. "It wasn't easy. Leaving you. I wanted to come back but I wasn't in any position to take care of you. If I came back, we'd both be on the street."
"I was already on the street, Damon. Don't you get that? At least I would've had someone instead of being by myself for years."
"I wasn't thinking,"
"Yes, you were. You were just thinking about yourself."
"Look, I'm sorry, alright? I was being selfish but in the end, you were better off without me. If I would've come back, you wouldn't have a family."
"You don't know that."
"Yes, I do. If I would've come back you wouldn't have been sleeping around because you'd be too busy picking up after me. You and Bonnie would still be strangers, your daughter wouldn't exist."
"Don't try to justify your actions by saying hypothetical things. You have no idea what you're talking about!" He turned then walked out of the restaurant.
Bonnie stopped him before he got too far outside stepping in front of him pressing her hands against his chest. "Hey, hey," she moved her head standing on her toes to get eye-level. "Just cool down for a second," she placed her hands on the sides of his face then quickly moved his around her body returning her hands back to his face. "Breathe, okay?" She kissed him once pulling away but kissed him again as his hands tightened around her moving up her back opening his mouth to her. He moved forward backing her against a wall kissing her deeper lifting her legs around him moving them beside a dumpster.
He moved quick pulling down her panties, lifting up her dress, pulling down his pants and boxers and slipping inside her. Their lips connected again as they breathed deeply moving together. Her hands gripped his hair. They came quickly clinging to each other breathing heavily. Stefan kissed her once slipping out of her though he could go again but didn't want it to be by a dumpster in the middle of the day.
"We shouldn't have done that," she breathed.
"I would say I'm sorry but I'm not."
She couldn't stop her chuckle. "I know you're not."
He smiles causing her to smile back but roll her eyes. He chuckled then kissed her again moving his hands to her face. "I love you so much."
"Yeah?"
He nodded then kissed her. "Definitely." He kissed her again.
Bonnie smiled kissing Stella's belly making her smile and kick her legs. Her small arms reached up grabbing on to her mom's ears making some noises.
"My baby girl," she leaned in kissing her mouth.
"Look at my girls," Stefan joined them on the floor then turned Bonnie's head to kiss her. Stella giggled making her parents smile. "You see, our girl wants us together."
"Does she?"
"You want mommy and daddy together, baby girl? Would you like that? Yeah?"
Bonnie smiled then looked over at Stefan staring. He looked over at her staring into her eyes. He leaned in slowly switching his view from her eyes to her lips before they closed when their noses touch. His mouth slowly opens but he ends up letting out a sigh when her phone rings before their lips touch making her pull away.
"Hey," Bonnie stood walking away.
"Hey, Bon, how's your day so far?"
"Pretty good, what about you?"
"Good, I guess. I just miss you."
She smiled. "Yeah?"
"Mhm," she heard his name being called in the background. He sighed. "I have to go."
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Of course. I love you. Bye,"
"Bye," she sighed removing the phone from her ear feeling horrible. What was she doing? "Do you really want to be with me? Honestly, one hundred percent, no doubts or speculations, just you, me, and Stella."
"Of course I do. I want to be with my family, I want you." He moved his hands to her hips. "You're all I want, Stell is all I want, no one else."
She nodded. "Then I'm saying yes."
He breathed out a smile looking into her eyes then in the next moment kissed her lifting her legs around his waist taking them to the couch laying her on it. He pulled away from her lips mindful of their baby.
"Say it again."
"Yes."
"Marry me. Marry me, marry me, please,"
"Yes."
He kissed her again and she pulled him closer to her body.
...
Stefan slid the ring down her finger having it sparkle under the lights. Bonnie smiled looking down at it then up at him smiling, even more, when he kissed her. "Tomorrow, let's elope. Your dad can watch the baby and we'll just go."
"Okay," she nodded.
He kissed her again then stops to check on Stella in her crib. Bonnie let out a breath laying back on their bed distracting herself from realizing what's going on and how quickly.
Stefan sat at the bar for a drink. He couldn't sleep due to the adrenaline so he hoped a drink would calm him down like it usually does. He shifted in his seat a little then turned his head feeling hands on his shoulders.
"Fancy seeing you here."
"Damon. And I thought I was the only one to get a drink this late."
"Things didn't work out with Bonnie?"
"Actually it's quite the opposite."
Bonnie grunted stretching her hand out reaching for her phone. "Hello?"
"We're getting married actually,"
"Stefan?" Bonnie sat up and looked to her right seeing the spot beside her empty.
"Congratulations. I see my plan worked."
He chuckled. "What plan?"
"To act all upset about me mysteriously returning then your loving Bonnie would do everything she can to make baby Steffy feel better."
He rolled his eyes. "It was a good plan but I didn't use it."
"Bullshit. I saw you calling her right after I said something."
"Alright, fine, I used it but it backfired on me. We didn't have sex that night."
"But it got her away from that boy, didn't it?"
"What do you want, thanks?"
"No, I'm happy to pass along some tricks to my baby bro."
Bonnie had tears welling in her eyes listening to the exchanged. He manipulated her just so that he could come out on top. This was all just a game that he wanted to win really badly and the worst part is that she was playing it without knowing. He didn't sound mad, he didn't sound mad at Damon at all so was yesterday all an act? She had to give him a round of applause because she was completely fooled.
She heard laughing on the other end so she hung up the phone and packed most of her and Stella's things.
...
Stefan tiptoes upstairs stopping in Stella's room but frowned when he didn't see her. He figured that Bonnie had her so he walked in their room discarding his shirt only to stop when he realized that Bonnie was gone too. He narrowed his eyes then walked up to the bed spotting a diamond ring and note underneath it.
Check your call history.
Was all it read.
Stefan pulled out his phone quickly then cursed seeing that he must have butt dialed her during his conversation with Damon about her. He quickly called her but cursed even louder when it went straight to voicemail.
"Baby, baby, I can explain if you just come home, I can explain. I love you, I needed you, I- just come home, please come home, please. I need my family,"
[UNCOMPLETED]
[END]