A/N: This update has skipped ahead by a few months, so as to move the story along.

Thank you for all of the wonderful reviews!

It was hard to believe that it was already the end of August, and that the wedding was just two weeks away. The last five months had been a whirlwind of wedding planning and shopping, but Stefan had made sure to get some quality alone time in with Elena whenever he could.

Like the impromptu trip to Victoria, BC for the weekend. She had been so excited, having never been on a ferry to get to any place. She had been thrilled with the sight-seeing, and Stefan was just happy to be able to hold her hand all day and experience everything with her. And of course there was the sex back at the hotel room after.

The baby was due in a week, and Bonnie was determined to be ready for the wedding the week after. Even though Stefan and Elena had told her to just focus on herself and the baby, Bonnie had brushed their concerns off. Which was why Bonnie was still taking Elena out the next evening for a bachelorette celebration and Damon was doing the same for Stefan. There was no telling either one of them no. Both were determined to keep tradition when it came to Stefan and Elena.

But presently, Stefan was content, in bed with Elena lying on top of him, her face buried in his neck as she kissed him softly. Even after a steamy round of shower sex, she had wanted to keep close to him rather than trying to go to bed.

Elena had tried to tell Stefan about a month ago that she thought they should abstain from sex starting a month before the wedding. That way they would have a more wedding night feel if they hadn't been able to be with one another for so long. Surprisingly, Stefan had agreed. Because he knew it would never work.

Elena had lasted one week before she jumped him in the shower one morning before work, demanding that he take her right there against the glass door. Which he had happily agreed to do. And ever since, she hadn't brought up the idea of abstaining from sex before the wedding. He did tease her about it every chance he got though. He knew it wasn't fair though. That he was so sexy. Elena couldn't help herself.

"I'm cold" Elena whispered. With her still wet hair and the air on in the apartment, it hadn't taken long for her to cool down.

Stefan pulled the sheets and blankets over the top of her, wrapping his arms around her again. "Better?" he asked. She nodded her head against him and he kissed the side of her head. "I love Friday nights" he said, lazily running his hands along her naked back. He felt her shiver and knew it wasn't from the cold this time.

"Why's that?" Elena mumbled. She wasn't tired, but she was enjoying lying lazily in bed with him.

"Because we can stay up late tonight and stay in bed all day tomorrow" he whispered. Now that she was done with her community service, he had her all to himself on Saturdays. He felt her smile against his neck and that alone drove him crazy.

"We have things to do tomorrow" she reminded him. A few last minute things for the wedding, followed by their bachelor and bachelorette celebrations.

"We can sleep in a little" he said, wrapping his arms around her. "Bonnie's not taking you to a strip club, is she?" Stefan asked. He hadn't brought it up all this time, but it did bother him, thinking about Elena watching some other half naked guy dance for her.

Elena laughed, lifting her head and smiling down at him. "Now why would I want to go pay some stranger to strip when I've got you who will do it for free?" she asked jokingly. She saw him smile, but could still pick up on his insecurity. She kissed him softly for a brief moment before looking at him seriously. "I told Bonnie I didn't want to do anything like that. We'll probably go out to dinner or do something mellow" she assured him. Jenna hadn't been able to make it, so Elena had decided she really just wanted something simple and low-key. Especially since Bonnie was going to have the baby any day now. "I don't have any reason to celebrate my last few weeks as a single woman" she added.

"I love you" he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Damon and I are going to the speedway" he said, deciding to tell Elena what they were doing. "Have a beer. Place a few bets" he said. And he was completely okay with that.

"No strippers for you either?" Elena asked with a small grin.

"There's only one woman I want to see naked" he said, smiling. "And, she's already naked as it turns out" he grinned, swatting her ass playfully. Elena grinned too, though she was concentrating on something. "What?" he asked.

"Just counting in my head how many more years I have to put up with you" she answered.

"Ouch" he said playfully. He rolled her over, and then rolled on top of her. She wrapped her arms around him and accepted his hungry kiss.

And then his lips were on her ear in an instant, breathing heavily against her. "Take all those years, and think about all the amazing sex we will be having" he whispered.

Elena smiled. "Very true" she told him. And she would enjoy every moment of sex with him. "We really should be getting to bed though" she told him. Even if she wasn't exhausted, they did have a long day to wake up to.

"Noooooooo" he groaned, attacking her neck with his lips. "I'm not tired yet" he whispered.

"We have a lot to do tomorrow" she reminded, running her fingers along his back. Stefan sighed, rolling off of her and flopping over on his back. Elena smiled as she rested her head on his shoulder, reaching down and grabbing his hand with hers. "I do love you" she told him, knowing he was disappointed.

"I love you too" he said. He leaned over and shut the lamp off. "Come here" he said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him. "I'll settle for cuddling" he said, kissing her ear.

"Sounds perfect" Elena said. She loved falling asleep in his arms. "Goodnight" she said.

"Goodnight, Elena" he said, snuggling even closer to her.

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Stefan stirred awake when he heard his phone ringing on the nightstand. He tried not to wake Elena as he unwrapped himself from around her to get to it, but she was already waking up. Stefan grabbed the phone and saw that it was Damon. He gave Elena a worried look before answering. It was three in the morning. "Hello?" he asked. He listened for a moment, and then he was scrambling to get out of bed. "We'll be right there" he said, hanging up. Elena was still looking at him, half asleep. "The baby's coming" he said, finally letting himself smile. He was going to be an uncle.

Elena smiled, suddenly more awake and jumping out of bed and rushing to her closet to find a pair of jeans and a shirt to wear. They were running into each other as they raced around their bedroom, looking for everything they needed. "Are they at the hospital yet?" she asked, tying her last shoe.

"On their way" Stefan answered, walking with Elena out of the room. Stefan grabbed his keys and they were out the door. Elena grabbed his hand as they rushed down the hall to the elevator. They were both bouncing with excitement, willing the elevator to go faster. Stefan looked over at Elena and they both smiled at each other. They had been waiting far too long for this baby to arrive. Stefan leaned over and kissed Elena as the elevator dinged.

They were still holding hands as they ran across the parking lot and into the hospital. Stefan asked for directions to the maternity floor. It was another elevator ride up and Stefan's grip on Elena's hand got tighter. He was as nervous as he was excited. Elena leaned against him and grabbed onto his arm. "She's going to be fine" she said softly, doing her best to ease his worry.

"I know" Stefan said, taking a deep breath in and then letting it out slowly. When they made it to the right floor, Stefan sent a text to his brother to let him know they were there.

Minutes later, Damon was walking past the doors and into the waiting area. He and Stefan hugged for a long while, both silently expressing their feelings. "How's she doing?" Stefan asked.

"She's doing well. It's going fast" he told him, letting go of Stefan. Elena was waiting with open arms to accept her hug. "Thank you for coming" he said.

"We wouldn't miss this for anything" she told him. When she let go of Damon, she could see that his face was full of worry, no matter how brave he was trying to be. "Has she cussed you out yet?" she asked with a grin.

It got Damon to laugh. "Not me. But she's said every word in the book I think" Damon added. "Come on. She'll want to see you guys."

Damon led the way back to her room. As much pain as she was in, she still managed to smile for them. "You guys didn't have to get out of bed to come and see me" she said, though she was thrilled that they had come.

"You think I'd miss the birth of my niece or nephew?" Stefan asked, taking Damon's vacated seat and holding Bonnie's hand. Another contraction hit and she tried so hard to not yell. But she couldn't help it. "Are you supposed to breathe or something?" Stefan asked.

"Fuck breathing. It doesn't do shit" Bonnie said, squeezing her eyes shut and waiting for the contraction to pass.

Stefan laughed slightly at her cussing. "Good to know" he said.

"I'm so sorry that we won't be able to take you two out for your bachelor and bachelorette parties" Bonnie told them. The baby had decided he or she was going to come early.

"Are you kidding me?" Elena asked, sitting down on the other side of Bonnie. "This baby is better than anything we could have been doing to celebrate my upcoming wedding" she smiled.

"Our wedding Honey" Stefan said, cutting in to remind her that he was going to be there too.

Bonnie laughed, and she needed that. "Stefan, it is always the bride's wedding. You remember that" she told him, patting his cheek.

Stefan grabbed her hand and kissed it. "I love you Bonnie" Stefan told her.

Bonnie's eyes filled with tears. Her emotions were all over the place. "Damnit Stefan, don't make me cry" she said, wiping her eyes.

He smiled at her. "Is there anything we can do for you?" Stefan asked.

Bonnie squeezed his hand tight, preparing for another one of those damn contractions. When it was over, she nodded her head. "We were in such a hurry that we forgot the bag with the baby's things" she said. "It's on the chair in the nursery."

Stefan nodded. "We'll go get it" he assured her. Stefan and Elena both leaned in and kissed Bonnie's head before getting up. Stefan slapped Damon's shoulder and smiled at him. He was so proud of his brother.

"Damon" Bonnie said, calling for him as she braced herself for yet another contraction. They were coming more frequently now.

Damon was at her side in seconds, doing his best to be supportive. "We'll be right back" Stefan said, letting himself and Elena out of the room.

"I can go and get the bag" Elena offered, knowing that Stefan probably wanted to be at the hospital.

But he shook his head. "They need their space" he told her softly, grabbing her hand to hold. Elena nodded, following Stefan down the hall.

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By the time Stefan and Elena made it back to the hospital, Bonnie had been taken to delivery. Damon came out three times to give them updates. Stefan and Elena both paced the floor of the waiting room, anxiously awaiting the arrival of their niece or nephew.

And three hours later, Juliette Elizabeth Salvatore had arrived. Damon was busy running back and forth from Bonnie to his brother and Elena, spitting out information, piece by piece. He was completely overwhelmed, but completely excited too.

She was 6 pounds, 4 ounces and 19 inches long. There were ten fingers and ten toes, and both mom and baby were doing well.

Stefan and Elena hadn't been able to sit still as they impatiently waited until they could go back and meet their niece. Elena couldn't help but stare at Stefan's face. He had the biggest smile on his face. She knew he was going to be one of those uncles that the kids loved. He was still a kid himself in so many ways, but he had so much love to give too. "You're thinking about everything you're going to buy her, aren't you?" Elena asked him in a teasing manner.

Stefan looked over at her and grinned. "Two of anything and everything she wants" he answered.

Elena leaned over and kissed him. "This is why I love you" she said softly.

Damon came back out to see them again, this time with something important to say. "You guys can come back now" he said. He looked exhausted now, but also like a proud father.

Elena held Stefan's hand tight as they walked behind Damon. Once they got to Bonnie's room, Stefan all but pushed Elena and Damon out of the way so he could get to the baby first. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Bonnie holding such a tiny baby bundled up in a pink blanket.

Bonnie smiled at Stefan, seeing his eyes glued to the baby. Stefan slowly walked towards her, peering over Bonnie to see the baby. His heart nearly gave out on him. She was absolutely the most beautiful, perfect little baby he had ever seen. "She's beautiful, isn't she?" Bonnie asked, smiling at Elena who made her way to the other side of the bed.

"She's gorgeous" Stefan said, pulling the blanket back some to get a better look. "Can I hold her?" he asked, not shy at all about what he wanted.

"Of course" Bonnie said, carefully lifting the baby up some to put her in Stefan's arms.

He was a complete natural when it came to holding her. His full attention was on the precious little baby in his arms. Slowly, he sat down in a nearby chair. "Juliette, you are truly beautiful" Stefan said, smiling down at her.

Elena came and sat down next to Stefan so she could see Juliette too. "Bonnie, she looks just like you" Elena said, smiling. With soft brown hair and the tiniest of features, she really was the spitting image of her mother.

"She's perfect" Damon said, sitting down beside Bonnie on the bed and wrapping his arms around her.

"Thank God you look like your mommy" Stefan said, getting a glare from his brother, but he was laughing too. Stefan leaned down and kissed Juliette's head before turning to Elena. "Here" he said, slowly transitioning the baby into Elena's arms.

She wasn't as confident in holding the baby like Stefan was, but as soon as the baby was settled in her arms, Elena relaxed. She looked up and smiled at Stefan. Yeah. She wanted one. She would have taken that one if she thought she could get out the door unnoticed. "I love her" Elena said softly, feeling her tears building up.

Stefan leaned over and kissed the side of Elena's head, completely agreeing with her. "I'll distract them, and you make a run for it" he told her.

Bonnie and Damon both laughed. "You can't have her, but you can see her as much as you want" Bonnie told him.

"I'm going to move in with you so I can see her every second of the day" Stefan informed them, putting his arm around Elena as he leaned against her to watch. "Did you call Mom yet?" Stefan asked.

Damon shook his head no. "I'll wait another hour or so. They don't like you calling to early there" he explained.

"She's going to be so excited" Stefan said. The last few times he talked to his mom on the phone, the entire conversation had been about the baby.

"We'll go and visit her soon" Bonnie said, looking up at Damon. "And maybe you can arrange for her to come here this afternoon?" Bonnie asked. It was very important for her to have Damon's mother be a part of the baby's life.

"I'll set something up" Damon smiled, kissing the top of her head.

"My family will be up here in a few weeks" Bonnie added. She was looking forward to their visit. For sure, this baby would have a lot of people loving her.

A knock on the door got their attention and they all stared at Katherine, dressed in a bright blue summer dress with black heels and her hair done in perfect curls. She looked flawless, while they all looked exhausted. She was carrying a teddy bear with a balloon attached. Elena felt Stefan's arm tighten around her reassuringly. Despite what Elena thought about Katherine, she was Bonnie's friend and she had just as much of a right to be there as Elena did.

They all looked at her for a moment, but Bonnie was the first to say something. "You came" she said, holding her arms out for her. She had sent Katherine a text the evening before saying she was having contractions.

Katherine smirked. "Of course I did" Katherine told her, walking to her and wrapping her arms around her. She deposited the bear and the balloon on the table beside the bed. "Congratulations" she whispered, kissing Bonnie's cheek. "And you, you big stud" Katherine grinned, reaching over Bonnie and pulling Damon into a hug too. "I'm so happy for you" she said.

"Thanks Katherine" he told her, hugging her tight. He was happy she was there, and impressed that she wasn't drunk from the flight over.

Katherine turned around and looked at Stefan, and then Elena. Then she came and sat down beside her so she could see the baby. Katherine pulled the pink blanket back carefully and looked down. "Oh you guys, she's precious" Katherine said, feeling herself getting emotional. She hated kids, but this one was cute. "She'd be perfect on the front page of my catalogue for the new baby clothing line" she added.

"We'll talk about that when she gets older" Bonnie told her with a smile.

"She alone would sell all of the baby clothes I design. She's precious" Katherine told them.

"Here" Elena said, reluctantly handing the baby over to Katherine to hold.

Katherine carefully took the baby from Elena's arms and held her close, admiring how pretty she was. "What's her name?" Katherine asked.

"Juliette" Stefan told her.

Katherine smiled at Stefan before looking down at Juliette again. "Well Juliette, Auntie Katherine is going to spoil you rotten" she said, going straight into a baby-talk tone. "Yes I am. Because you're so cute. Yes you are" she said. Then she grimaced. "Ugh, don't let me talk like that" she said, looking at Bonnie and Damon who were laughing at her. She didn't have a motherly bone in her body, but she was determined to be great with this kid.

"You should rest" Damon said, looking at Bonnie.

"We should be heading out" Stefan said. "We'll come back this afternoon" he added. He was exhausted. Elena and Stefan both gave Damon and Bonnie a hug goodbye before leaving the room.

Damon looked at Bonnie, trying to decide what to do about Katherine. "Let her hold her a while longer. Katherine won't get to see her very often, and she looks so happy" Bonnie whispered, admiring how her typically wild and out of control friend was now being so gentle and nurturing. Bonnie couldn't kick her out just yet.

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Elena snuggled close to Stefan once they were comfortably back in their own bed. He was looking up at his ceiling, thinking about something. "What are you thinking so hard about?" Elena asked.

"Just … how amazing it is that she is finally here" Stefan smiled. "Feels like we've been waiting forever."

Elena smiled too. "You're so good with her. This kid has no idea how lucky she is" she told him.

Stefan rolled over to face her, looking into her eyes for a moment. "You're good with her too" Stefan smiled. "Which is a good thing, because we're going to be the first ones they call to babysit" he added.

"I wouldn't mind at all" Elena smiled, leaning in and kissing him slowly.

When she pulled away, he was left looking in her eyes again. "Since you and I are both free tonight due to the unexpected arrival of our beautiful niece" Stefan said with a small grin. "I would like to take you out to dinner" he told her, moving himself even closer to her and resting his head on her shoulder. "We can celebrate our upcoming wedding together" he said.

"I would love that" Elena told him.

"Then maybe after, we can practice making one of those cute little babies" he said, whispering it in her ear.

Elena couldn't help but smile. "I would love that too" she said.

"I love you" he whispered, his eyes shutting slowly as he allowed the exhaustion to slowly take over.

"I love you too" Elena whispered, closing her own eyes.