AN: Hello readers! Sorry for the long way but as usual work got in the way and I also had writer's block. I'll keep this short b/c I know you all dying to read the newest chapter. Here we go!

Chapter 35:

I sat in the coffee shop near my job waiting for Damon; as usual, he was running late. If I knew he was going to be late, again I would have stayed in the office doing more work but he promised me he be here on time. I looked down on my phone to check Instagram to kill time and my Facebook as well.

We have been back together for about a month now and it has been going good; some days we fight but that's because we are both stubborn people but other days it's like we never broke up in the first place. I was staying over more at Damon's than at Bonnie's and she even joked that I should just move there already but I feel its rushing too fast in this new relationship we have going. I also didn't want to assume that I can just move in; I rather have him ask me and since he hasn't yet I'll continue to live at Bonnie's and sleep over at his place.

I got a text from Bonnie confirming the date and location for Caroline's baby shower.

All set for the baby shower! Now we just need to know the sex of the baby and we can start picking pink or blue stuff. - Bonnie

Awesome! This Saturday is the baby reveal brunch so once we get the answer we can really get this ball rolling – Elena.

This Saturday Caroline is hosting a brunch to reveal the sex of the baby. I don't know why she can't just tell us but she wants to find out altogether by releasing pink or blue balloons into the air. Caroline was really into all these new trends going on for new moms and she was reading on everything on motherhood as well.

Can I skip on the brunch and you just tell me the sex of the baby? lol – Bonnie

I was about to reply to Bonnie when, "Elena? I'm surprise to see you here again. I thought you'll be home by now." It was my boss Elijah.

"Hey, yeah I wish I was home already. I'm here waiting for Damon yet again." He nods his head and grabs his coffee from the counter. "Mind if I wait with you? I'm waiting for my sister for dinner and she's running late as well." I gesture with my hand for him to sit, "sure better than sitting alone." I said.

I hope his sister didn't come into the coffee shop because she was one of Damon's many conquest back in the day. "Don't worry it's not Rebekah its my other sister Freya." I guess he saw the worry on my face. "Oh okay. Freya? I had no idea you had another sister; I thought it was just you, Klaus and Rebekah." I said.

He takes a sip from his coffee, "no there's six of us; four brothers and two sisters. The other three don't live in New York so we only see each other if we visit the other."

"Wow big family. Are you all close?" I ask.

He sighs and taps his finger on the table, "in the beginning no but we are trying to fix that. After the loss of our parents we realize family is very important and we should try to be in each other's lives."

I had no idea he lost his parents too, "I'm sorry to hear that. I lost my parents too and it's just my brother and me. We are pretty close but after they died we drifted apart a bit but now we are in a good place." I got sad remembering the past and I feel his hand on mine. "I'm sorry for your lost as well." He says.

I smile at him, "Thanks." Elijah and I became good friends outside the office and what helps build our friendship is I'm always sitting here waiting for Damon and he keeps me company. Some days we talk about work and upcoming ideas, gossip or meetings and other time we talk about personal stuff. The only problem was Damon wasn't happy about it.

"Well isn't this cozy." I look up and there is Damon looking mad as hell. Elijah lets go of my hand, "Hello Mr. Salvatore, I was keeping the lovely Miss Gilbert company while you – "

"I don't need you keeping MY girlfriend company." Damon barks angrily at him.

"Damon, stop." I get up from my seat and hold his arm from doing anything Damon-like.

Elijah gets up as well, "Well I'll be going now since I see my sister at the entrance. Good bye to you both and see you on Monday Miss Gilbert"

"Bye Elijah." I waved bye to him and turn my attention back to Damon.

"This is the fifth time I see him sitting here with you. Mind telling me why?" He asks angrily. "And this is the fifth time you're late, mind telling me why?" I counter back.

He groans in annoyance, "Elena, you know I have a business to run and I can't just up and leave whenever I want."

"Then don't make promises you can't keep. He was keeping me company while I was waiting for you…again! He's my boss, Damon get over it." This was the same argument we have all the time; he swears that Elijah has a thing for me but I don't see it nor do I cater to it.

"No I won't get over it. You think I like the idea that you work for him when I know he likes you. You need to quit that job ASAP."

"No I don't need to do anything," I grab my bag ready to go but he grabs my arm. "Hey where you're going?" He demands.

"Away from you. I'm not in the mood to hang out tonight. Bye." I yank my hand free from him and left the coffee shop. "Elena!" He chases after me.

I stop walking to hear him out, "I'm sorry just whenever I see him and you together it angers me, okay? I lost Katherine to a Mikaelson and I don't want to lose you too to another."

"How many times do I have to tell you? I am not your ex-wife Katherine. I am Elena and I love you and only you. You think after everything we been through I let something like another man ruin what we are trying to rebuild again? You need to trust me, Damon." I reach out to cup his cheek in my hands, "You need to quit being so stubborn and jealous and just see that I only want you and only you." I kiss his lips and his arms warp around my body to bring me closer.

He releases my lips, "Hmm I like the sound of that. Now how about instead of going home, you come home with me?" He wiggles his eyebrows and smirks. "Ha-ha after the stunt you pulled in there, you're lucky I'm in your arms right now. Besides I told Bonnie I'll go home to discuss the baby shower plans." Its very hard to say no to Damon but I can't let his sexy ways not let me plan my best friend's baby shower.

"Besides we can't stay up too late, we have the brunch with Care and Stefan to find out the sex of the baby." I reminded him.

He cranks his neck back and groans in annoyance then looks at me, "the idea is so stupid. I would never have done that if we had our – " He stops talking because he realized what he was going to say.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to –" I stop him by placing my hand on his chest, "Hey its okay. One day we have to talk about it and with Caroline being pregnant it makes the subject more in our face." He takes me in his arms and hugs me tight then rest his chin on top of my head, "I know, I know. Are you okay? I know this must be harder on you."

"I'm fine. I have my moments like planning this baby shower and the brunch makes me feel uneasy too." I honestly told him.

"Elena, you don't have to do it. We can cancel and not go tomorrow." He says.

I shake my head, "No, we have to be there for them. They love us Damon and we love them; we have to be there for each other no matter how hard it be for us both." I said.

"You're right. Well over all I am still not, looking forward to this baby revealed thing. I swear I think blondie has lost it." He jokily said and I know he was trying to lighten the mood.

"I rather stay in on Saturday in bed with you," He kisses my neck then travels up to my lips, "we can do this instead of brunch – naked though." He playfully smirks and I couldn't help but laugh at him; he will never stop trying to get me to skip the brunch or go home with him instead.

"We do that all the time. Come on and be a good boyfriend and take me home." I break free from his hold and walk a few steps from him so he can get the message that I am serious about me going home.

"You're killing me Elena Gilbert." He says as he grabs my hand and then hails for a cab.

"I know." I smiled proudly at him.

Brunch Time

The brunch was being held in their apartment and they were having it cater since Caroline is terrible at cooking and she refuse to have Stefan cook.

"Okay so the balloons will be released at 1:15 on the balcony." I'm following her around the apartment helping her organize anything she needed help with. She carried a notepad checking off everything, typical Caroline.

Caroline looked so pretty in her yellow sundress and glowing so happily. She was about to hit the six months mark so her belly didn't look that huge yet but you can tell there's a bundle in there. I was wearing a teal sundress with white floral patterns and my hair done in a side-ponytail.

The doorbell rings and Caroline walks over to answer it but first she asked me to sort the table. "Can you put the center pieces on the table and lay it out evenly? Thank you!" She walks off to give someone else a task.

I looked at the centerpiece it's a vase full of pink and blue roses with little question marks poking out. I place them evenly on the table where we will be eating our brunch.

I noticed the sonogram picture hanging by the end of the table and I walked over to it. I have not seen any of the newest pictures of the baby yet because I didn't feel ready and did my best to avoid it but there it was staring at me.

The little blob was bigger and you can actually see a little body figure. I felt different it was not sadness, what I normally feel when I think or look anything baby related. Instead, it was joy; joy seeing this little life growing bigger each day and soon he or she will be here and joy for my best friend for experiencing motherhood. I was so overwhelmed with joy I couldn't contain the happy tears.

I see Damon at the corner of my eye coming into the kitchen area and I quickly wipe my tears away before he thought I was crying for different reasons and he goes all overprotective Damon on me. "Ah there's my sexy girlfriend and –" His thumb reaches out to dry off the tear I missed.

"You're crying." He stated.

"Its not what you think. I'm happy; they're happy tears." I said. He looks surprise but happy that they aren't sad tears, "Good I love seeing you happy." He kisses me softly on the lips.

"Hmm I missed you last night." He says as he wraps his arms around me.

"Me too. Maybe if you behave I'll go home with you tonight." I looked up at him with flirty eyes.

We hear a disgust moan, "Argh, can you two save that for your own time?" It was Caroline.

Damon rolls his eyes and lets me go, "fine, only because its your brunch-party thing. I'm gonna go find Stefan." He kisses my cheek and left to find his brother.

DPOV

I wasn't too keen on being here; I try my best to avoid anything baby related. Yes, I was happy for my brother and blondie but I still wasn't 100% over what happened with my own child and the cause of it all. I put on a good act that I was okay but really, I still struggle with the loss of my baby and losing Elena right after. I have her back now and we are happy but there's this constant reminder that us together could have been more.

The only way I can get through this day is to drink and forget I'm even here. I came here more for Elena, I knew she be a wreck being here but seeing her cry happy tears showed me she was starting to be okay with this situation where as I'm not yet.

I still have so much anger in me over the whole situation but I do my best to hide it from the two most important people in my life Stefan and Elena. Elena was still fragile and Stefan was going through the motions of becoming a father; they both didn't need me screwing it up for them.

I found my brother in the kitchen directing the kitchen staff for the menu for the brunch. I always knew he had a thing for cooking so I know him not being the one making the stuff must be driving him crazy. I pat his back and he turns around, "You're here. For a second, I thought you weren't going to come." He said. "And miss this baby revealed party? Never!" I sarcastically said.

"Yeah-Yeah I know you think the idea is stupid but hey it makes Caroline happy. How are you doing?" There goes concern brother asking me the question of the day.

"I'm doing fine Stefan; you don't need to worry about me." I search for his liquor cabinet or tray so I can pour myself a glass of bourbon. I found it by the kitchen entrance and pour myself a glass, "Isn't it a little early for that?" He indicates with his eyes.

"I need a little help to enjoy this fantastic party." I counter back and take a long sip from my drink.

Stefan angrily grabs my arm and pulls me to the patio for some privacy, "Look if you don't wanna be here then don't be here. I don't need you ruining my special day. You either tell me what's up your ass or you can leave, I'll leave it up to you. So what's it gonna be Damon?"

"I'm fine bro. You know how much I hate brunch; its such a dumb idea. You know my schedule; I usually up and already ate breakfast by six in the morning. So maybe I'm a bit cranky because I'm starving. Let's call this little glass my appetizer." I said.

He looks at me skeptically but one of the workers in the kitchen called to him, "Hmm okay but try to control how much you drink. I gotta go." He runs back inside. I sigh in relief and linger longer in the patio area and looking up at the sky and taking sip after sip of my drink.

I hear the patio door open and closes then I feel hands circle me around the waist from behind. "Ah here you are. Brunch is almost ready." Elena informs me.

I nod my head and finish my drink, "You okay?" She comes around to look at me. I continue to stare off into the sky and I feel her hand touch my cheek and slowly turns me to look at her, "Damon, its me – you can tell me anything." Oh how wrong she is.

"I'm just not a fan of these events; especially for small little things that can be done over a text, phone call or even a Facebook post. I rather have you alone to myself in my bed." I wrap my arm around her waist and nibble on her neck to distract her.

She softly pushes me away and looks at me hard, "Why don't I believe you?" She says.

"You don't believe that I wanna ravage you? Well my dear Elena then you don't know me at all." She tilts her head to the side and does her best to study me, she needs to stop.

I let her go so we can head back inside, "Come on, the brunch is about to the start and we can't miss that." I held the door open for her and she walks by but before going inside, she looks at me one more time, "We will talk about this later." "Looking forward to it." I sarcastically said.

Eating time was over, it was time to meet in the patio, and there lie a closed bin with two strings for Stefan and Blondie to open. The people there to witness this joyous occasion was Elena, Bonnie, Caroline's mother Liz, her father via Skype since he lived in California, and my dad via facetime and myself of course.

"Okay is everyone here? You have your dad on Facetime?" Caroline asked me. I looked at my phone and saw my dad, "Yup. He's here."

"Hello, now let's open that box and see if I'm having a grandson or granddaughter." He excitedly said. I looked over at Elena and she was beaming holding my free hand as we wait for them to open the box.

"Everyone count…ONE, TWO…THREE." And out came blue balloons. "We're having a boy!" They both shouted happily and cried into each other arms. Everyone else cheered happily for the couple and ran over to them to give them hugs and kisses and I stood to the side watching the happy moment. A pit of jealously hit me as I see Stefan happy for the news.

I brush it off and went over to them to hand them my phone so my dad can congratulate them on the news. Elena again had happy tears as she came back to my side again. "You're having a nephew." She said so happily to me.

"Yeah a little boy to terror and make like me to piss Stefan off." I jokily said.

"They will never let us baby sit the baby if that's how you're going to behave." She played along. "Well that's my excuse to not make us baby sit." I said and she gave me a look.

I excused myself so I can say my congrats to the happy couple. I reach for Stefan's hand and bring him in for a manly hug, "Happy for you little bro. Damon is a good name; think about it." I said.

He laughs, "Funny; Caroline will kill me if I pick that name for the baby."

"That girl will kill you if you look at her wrong." I said.

"Hey I heard that." Caroline quickly said as she finished off hugging her mom. I went over to give her a hug as well, "only because you're carrying my nephew. Congrats Blondie. And good luck you're carrying a Salvatore boy."

"Argh you don't have to remind me." She said as she rubs her swollen belly. "You better not be like your uncle, young man."

"Psst, don't listen to her; she's crazy." I whisper to her belly.

I made my way back to Elena, she was sitting down enjoying the breeze, and I stood there for a few enjoying the view of her. Yes, I was feeling down today because of todays' news but I need to keep reminding myself things happen for a reason; this little hiccup made Elena and me stronger.

And I should be happy for my brother and his wife. I'm going to be a uncle soon to a little baby boy; I started to feel excited for the news. All the things I will do with the little guy and teach him how to be cool because Stefan has no idea what cool is.

I walked over to Elena and touch her shoulder; she looks up at me then places her hand over my hand. I lean down to kiss her cheek and tell her, "Sorry for being an ass earlier."

"Its okay. I understand why; just wished you told me instead of pushing me away but I'm glad you're okay now." I sometimes in awed that she knows me more than anyone else in this world.

I make her get up so I can sit and have her sit on my lap instead. "We're gonna be okay, right?" I asked her as we both looked ingot the Manhattan skyline.

Her fingers played with my hair as she said, "Yeah. As long we have each other we'll be okay."

AN:

Another chapter done. Hope you all enjoyed it. Please let me know what you think of it.