Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Twilight or Vampire Diaries. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer and L.J. Smith. I do own the original characters made up for this storyline. Thank you.

Writer's Notes: Thank you armywife1979 and Siobhan Whitlock for your reviews! I think that every story needs a healthy balance of drama. I hope everyone enjoys the next few chapters. As always, thank you my silent followers, and if you haven't already, favorite and follow, and leave me a review!

[Mikaelson Manor February 14th, 2023]

Klaus drove towards the manor because Elijah texted him and told him that Stefan was there and that he was going to pick up Elena now. When he pulled up, Stefan had Kol on his back, and was just punching him in the face.

"Damnit," Klaus got out of the Jeep fast, Bella right behind him. Klaus grabbed Stefan from behind, locking his arms around him. Kol got to his feet and started forward, but Bella stopped him. Kol started to push past her, but she spun him, twisting his arm behind his back, and forcing him to his knees in an arm bar. One of the many techniques she picked up from her classes with Alaric.

"Stop," Klaus said when Stefan tried fighting him. Stefan's knuckles were bloodied, and Kol's face was the proof of Stefan's destruction.

"Let me go Bella, I'm not going to hit the bastard," Kol said, and Bella let him go.

Kol spit blood out of his mouth, and Bella took her jacket off and was wiping his face.

"You fucked my girlfriend!" Stefan screamed at Kol.

"So? It's not my fault she was unfaithful to you. She's a big girl and can do whatever the hell she wants. Maybe if you satisfied her- "

"Kol, that's enough." Klaus growled, still holding on to Stefan.

Stefan managed to slip free and was charging Kol. Bella grabbed Stefan's arm, and used his own gravity against him, and brought him to the ground, she pulled his arm around, locking it in place, and angled her toe in his armpit. "Don't fucking move Stefan, our you'll break your arm." Bella said, and then looked up at Klaus, who was stunned at Bella's reflexes.

Stefan was crying now. "How could she do this…and she's pregnant…"

Bella eased her hold and slid to the ground and pulled Stefan against her as he wept.

Kol was stunned. "She's…. pregnant?"

"Stefan," Bella's voice was calming, soft. She brushed a hand through his hair, stroking his hair gently. "Elena loves you. It was one mistake. A dumb one, but she loves you, you have to believe that."

Klaus watched how Bella handled Stefan, drawing him in like a child, mothering him. Calming him with her voice.

Stefan's head was buried in her chest as he sobbed. His arms were hugging her around the waist now. His heart was shattering.

"I didn't know…" Kol said, cutting his eyes over to Klaus. His lip was busted, his eye was already blackening, and his nose was definitely broken. "I wore a condom that night. I swear it hadn't broken." He was confused.

Elijah pulled up with Elena. She was still crying as she got out of the car, her legs shaking.

Bella looked over at her sister and shook her head, which made Elena stop walking. She sank down to her knees, sobbing hard. Elijah was out of the car and looking at the aftermath of Stefan and Kol's brawl. He had left them both in one piece.

Kol walked over to Elena, kneeling beside her. "Is it true?" He asked softly.

Elena's eyes were red, tears still rushing over her cheeks. She nodded, her chest exploding with pain, the pain of her own heart shattering.

Kol reached out, smoothed her hair back, wiped at her face.

"Your face…" Elena said between sobs.

"I deserved it." Kol said and sighed. "I'm so sorry, but I'm sure that you're not carrying my child Elena."

There was an overwhelming silence, for some time before Stefan managed to pull himself out of Bella's arms. He wiped his face, looking away from Bella.

Klaus cleared his throat. "Let's go inside. Get some tea. Discuss this without coming to blows."

Bella got to her feet, linking her hand with Stefan's to grab his attention. "Come on. Let's sit and talk about it all."

He was silent as he followed her inside.

Everyone sat in the front room. Klaus had Lina, the maid, get some tea made for everyone.

Bella was the first to speak. "First off, Kol, I'm sorry about your face. You need to ice your nose, and possibly go to the doctor."

Kol waved a hand. "It's not the first broken nose I've had Bella."

She looked at Stefan, going to stand in front of him, and then kneeling down to look up at him. "Stefan. Look at me please."

Stefan hesitated, but her met her brown eyes with his green ones.

"I know you're in a lot of pain right now. So many thoughts are happening, and I know that this is not the day that you wanted to find out all of this. Valentine's day is about love, and right now, it's all a mess. But," she hesitated. "You have ever right to feel angry, and upset. Elena made a mistake. A big one. One that she cannot take back. But I do know she does love you. There are no excuses that will ever make what happened, okay, but she really needs to get to a doctor and get checked out. She's pregnant. A child is growing inside her, and she needs to stay as calm as possible, and right now she's not," she nodded towards her sister who was still crying hard.

Stefan lifted his head, looking over at Elena. She was pregnant, and Kol said that it wasn't a possibility. "Was Kol the only one you were with?" His voice cracked as he asked the question.

Elena took some breaths, wiping at her face. "Yes. Just that one night, I swear to you Stefan."

Stefan nodded. He wanted to believe her. "Is it possible the baby is mine?"

Elena was quiet. "Yes."

Bella hadn't got that information earlier from her. She sighed. "I know this is getting on a personal level, and I know that you don't want the whole world knowing all your business. But, did you and Elena use protection ever?"

Stefan sighed, running a hand through his tussled mocha hair. "A couple times, but…there was a few times that we…uh forgot."

Elena wiped at her face. She hadn't thought about those times. She couldn't remember when her last period was, and that was her fault. She didn't keep up with it like Bella did with hers.

"Okay, so the best thing right now, is to get Elena to a doctor soon." Klaus spoke up. "I know it's not going to fix things, but right now, that's our option."

Stefan nodded, wiping at his face again. He looked over at Kol. "I'm sorry man." He apologized, now that all the rage was gone, and he just felt deflated.

Kol waved a hand. "No worries. I'm an asshole. I deserved it mate. To add to it though. I was really drunk and high that night. I don't think I would have temped her if I hadn't been, or at least I like to think I wouldn't have. I feel like shit because Elena was drunk too. Really drunk." He looked away from Stefan.

Stefan nodded. He understood how control worked. He should have been there New Year's but he had to meet the police at the autobody shop to fill out reports. That was the last thing he wanted to be doing on New Year's, but that's what happened. "Thank you for being honest," he said, his voice breaking a little.

"Elena, you should tell Jeremy." Klaus said, looking at Bella.

Bella nodded. "Yes. We need to let Uncle Ric and Aunt Jenna know as well."

Elena just nodded her head. She wiped at more of her tears. That's when Stefan stood and walked over to her. He was trembling still, and he went to the floor in front of Elena, on his knees, and then he just embraced her, his head resting on her stomach. Elena was stunned, her arms coming over him, and hugging him back and then they both wept.

After tea, Stefan drove Elena home. They needed the alone time to talk about things.

Bella was exhausted by the time everyone settled down. She walked up the stairs towards Klaus' room. She went into the bathroom and just pulled her clothes off and stepped into the shower. The hot water washed over her tired muscles and she sighed a sigh of relief.

It wasn't long before Klaus joined her. The second shower in the same day, but he knew this was a shower to help ease the stress and tension they both were feeling. His arms came around her from behind, and she leaned into his bare chest. Letting the water run over both of them.

"I'm sorry." Bella apologized.

"What for love?"

"Ruining Valentine's day."

"It's not ruined." Klaus said and turned her to face him. He leaned down and kissed her softly. "I love you. I'm with you, and that's all that matters. We didn't get to eat anything though."

Bella smiled. "Well, I'm not really hungry anyways. Just exhausted. My family is exhausting."

"I understand. Kol is exhausting. This isn't the first time he's pissed off a boyfriend. He doesn't learn his lessons."

She sighed. "I think Stefan and Elena will be okay eventually. They've been together for 2 years. They're the epitome of what true love looks like. Elena put up with a lot last year when he became suddenly withdrawn. She thought that maybe he was not being faithful, but she didn't ask. Probably because she didn't want to know, but it turned out to be just the stress of being a Salvatore."

Klaus dipped his head in again, kissing her softly at first. He then hoisted her up, and she hooked her legs around his waist. He turned off the shower, stepping out and carried her to the bedroom, not caring about drying off as he lay her on the bed. His hands moved over her body, caressing her with every touch. His mouth traveled over her body, kissing, and suckling in random spots. That gathered a few pleasant sighs, and some gasps. His mouth covered her core, his tongue reaching in circles around her clit, sending vibrations through her as he pleasured her. Her hands brushed through his hair, to his shoulders as her belly tightened as her orgasm threatened to make its appearance.

She was trembling under his touch, how his fingers wound inside her, pushing her over the edge and she started spilling out. She moaned, the feeling of ecstasy washing over her. Then he was kissing her on the mouth, drinking in her moans of pleasure. His hot, throbbing cock was ready to invade, and she widened her legs, allowing him passage. He thrust inside her as her orgasm rolled, and that shot more waves of vibrations through her body from head to toe. He was powerful, his hips thrusting in even strides, his tip hitting her center repeatedly. She tightened around him, begging him for more, her essence sliding over him with ever push. Her hands raked down his back, holding on to him for dear life, as he picked up his pace. He moaned as she hooked her legs around his waist, pulling him in deep. He leaned up, his hands going to her hips as he drove into, her moans were all that he needed to keep going.

When her legs trembled and fell to the mattress as her next orgasm ripped through her, he turned her, getting her on all fours. He leaned in, kissing her shoulder. "Relax," he murmured in her ear, his hot breath on her neck and ear.

She relaxed into him, and then he slid into her hot, moist entrance again. He groaned as he slid in. This wasn't going to help his control.

"I'm okay. Don't hold back," she breathed, feeling every inch of him from this position.

He moved a few slow strokes, her tight walls fitting him like a glove. He picked up his pace, thrusting a little hard, and she gasped, and moaned. He leaned over her, kissing her shoulder, sucking there. Then she was moving with him, pushing him backwards on the mattress and straddling him. She rocked over him, dancing her hips expertly. His hands reached up, groping her bouncing breast in his hands, they fit perfectly, and his thumbs rubbed over her nipples.

She shattered then, orgasming hard, rolling her hips with every pleasure wave, drawing it out. His hands were on her hips, he moaned, swelling tight inside her. She leaned down, her hair fanning out around them, and kissed him, her tongue clashing against his. Her hips drove into him over and over. She felt him tighten, swell so hard he was about to bust. She doesn't know why she did, but she rode him harder, pushing him to his edge.

The look of pure pleasure rolling over his face was enough for her, she grabbed his hands pinning them above them. The swirl of passion in his eyes made her breath hitch, and then he was busting open, spilling out as she drove down over him. His seed oozed inside, coating her insides as she pumped her hips a few more times, milking him as she clenched around him.

"Oh baby," She murmured, and kissed his lips, drinking him in, and releasing her hold on his hands. His arms came around her, hugging her tight against him. She leaned up, seeing his face wet with tears, and she frowned. "What's wrong?"

Klaus shook his head. "I love you so fucking much. I'm sorry, I'm emotional. That was just…soul shattering."

Bella smiled and kissed him, deeply, passionately, feeling her heart beat fast with pure joy. Joy that she found her soulmate.

[March 31st: Swan Residence]

6 weeks later

"Stop whining." Bella muttered, as she helped Elena zip her dress.

"I'm fat," Elena complained.

"No, you're pregnant. 11 weeks to be exact. You've got a tiny bulge there, hardly noticeable."

It was prom. The final hoorah before Seniors graduated in May and went on to college and adulthood.

Elena sighed, turning to face Bella when her dress was finally zipped. "Are you sure it's not that noticeable?"

"It's not. Seriously El, you're worrying for nothing." Bella offered a smile.

Elena's dress wasn't tight fitting really. The black and gold was slimming.

Bella was wearing a dark navy dress, just chiffon and silk. Nothing too fancy. She didn't want to stand out. "Stefan said the limo will be here at 6." Bella said, and then looked at herself in the mirror. She admitted she did look pretty tonight. She smiled at herself in the mirror and then turned and picked up her phone. It was nearly six now.

Elena ran her hand over her belly, stopping there, feeling her small bulge. She smiled lightly. She was going to be a mom. Something she didn't see happening this early in her life, but it was happening, nonetheless. Her and Stefan were trying to mend things. He wanted a DNA test done, and she couldn't blame him. He would have to wait until past the halfway mark until then. So far, he was supportive enough considering everything that happened.

The limo was waiting for them outside, Stefan and Klaus were already inside.

"You are beautiful love," Klaus said, as Bella sat next to him. His hand curled with hers, and he kissed her softly.

Elena sat next to Stefan, and his arm went around her automatically. They had been trying to work things out, and Stefan was trying really hard to connect with her again, and in some ways, he still did connect, but his trust in her was just…shattered. She was working hard, he could tell, to make it up to him.

They got to the school, and a lot of kids were already there. Caroline ran up to Bella and hugged her. "Oh my god! Your dress is just so gorgeous!" She spewed, smiling wide, as she looked Bella over. Her eyes cut to Klaus, and then looked back at Bella. "I didn't know you two were dating."

Bella smiled. "Thank you, and we are. Four months now."

"Well that's great. You two are adorbs!" She squealed and then hugged Elena. "You're beautiful too."

"Thank you Care," Elena said, and then everyone was dancing, enjoying Prom.

Even Bella danced some, even though dancing was something that she rarely did.

"Bells!" Jake was there, smiling wide.

"Hey Jake. Who'd you bring?" Bella said as she swayed and bounced to the music.

Jake was moving along with the rhythm too. "Oh, Jessica." He motioned. "She's getting something to drink."

Jeremy had come with Alice, which was cute, and surprising. They had been seeing more of each other lately.

Jasper appeared as a slow song started. "Hey Klaus, do you mind if I steal your woman for a quick dance?"

Klaus smiled. "Not at all." He said and smiled at Bella. "Have fun, love." He said and found himself being asked to dance by Caroline. He nodded politely and took her hand and started a dance. Jake moved back across the room to find Jessica, to pull her into a dance. He had been seeing her more frequently. She was quirky and sometimes high maintenance but he didn't mind so much.

"So, how have you been darling?" Jasper asked, smiling.

"You know, just school, the gallery, all of that kind of stuff. I'm fine," She smiled back.

"Good. I was worried about ya for a bit. How are things with Klaus?"

Bella nodded. "He's wonderful. I'm really happy."

"Even better. I miss our talks." Jasper admitted.

She hadn't really spent a lot of time with her friends, so now she felt guilty. "I'm sorry. I should make more time for you guys. I know Alice misses our girl nights."

The song ended, and so Jasper let her go, taking his hand off her waist. "Well, maybe we can plan something as a group. A night out on the town in McKinney or something."

Bella nodded. "That would be nice." She said, smiling, and then looked up at Klaus when he approached. "Did you enjoy your dance?" She teased.

Klaus smiled. "It was fine." He said and kissed the side of her head.

By the end of the night, Bella was glad that she went to Prom with her friends. She did miss being with them more. She made a promise that she would make more time for them.

[April 1st: Mystic Grille]

Bella smiled, and listened to Mary talk about how amazing Damon was.

"He's just so great. The kids love him and he's so good with them." Mary said, smiling.

"Damon is a great guy," Bella agreed.

Mary blushed, taking a drink of her coke. "Can I ask you something serious?"

"Of course."

Mary hesitated a bit. "Do you think Damon would…you know, like someone like me?"

Bella raised a brow, smiling. Damon hadn't asked her out yet. "Well, you're beautiful, smart, and fun." She pointed out.

"Yeah, but…I'm already thirty, I have three kids. I'm a widow." She frowned.

"Damon is 24, he'll be 25 in October."

Mary sighed. "But he's a big shot lawyer, and I'm an…accountant. I don't fit in with you all's world. I'm not rich or famous."

Bella frowned. "Fit in? Mary, you fit perfectly. You're family. Plus, Damon would be lucky if someone like you walked into your life like that. Damon is ready for a family. He wants to settle down. Have children."

"That's true. He wants kids. I have three already." She sighed and ate a fry.

"I think you're overthinking it. If you can't have children, that's not something that Damon will get hung up on."

"I mean, I can have more children." Mary said and then took a drink. "I'm just making assumptions. He might not want kids."

Bella shook her head. "No, he wants kids. Trust me." She smiled.

It was like Damon knew that someone was talking about him, because he walked into the Grille, carrying a briefcase, and he had his phone up to his ear.

"Je m'en fiche. J'ai besoin de ça corrigé." Damon spoke rapidly and in French. He saw Bella and Mary and walked over towards them. He motioned for Bella to scoot over and she obliged. (Translation: I don't care, I need this fixed.)

"Non, maintenant. J'ai besoin que cela soit fait aujourd'hui." He said sharply. He paused, listening to the person on the phone. "Bien. Rappelez-moi plus tard. Au revoir." He said and hung up. (Translation: No now. I need this to be done today. Fine. Call me back later. Goodbye.)

Bella frowned. "Tout va bien?" (Translation: Everything fine/okay?)

Damon nodded. "It'll be okay." He said, reverting to English for Mary's benefit. He grabbed Bella's coke and took a drink.

"Well, if you need anything, let me know." Bella said, and picked up a fry and popped it in her mouth.

Mary watched Damon, he was so comfortable with Bella, but she knew that was because of their long history and friendship. "I didn't know you spoke French." Mary smiled at him.

Damon smiled back. "I do. I speak four different languages."

"Four? That's crazy." Mary exclaimed.

"My family is originally from Italy. I speak fluent Italian, French, Spanish, and I speak Latin." He explained, stealing Bella's fries.

Mary was amazed. "Bella you speak French too?"

Bella nodded. "Two years of French at Mystic Falls High. But I spoke it before then. I speak Spanish too. But that's it. I'm not as fancy as Damon."

"It's not fancy," Damon smiled. "Not all of you went to Private school. It's cool." He teased.

"Haha," Bella said and smiled. "How's Stefan? I haven't really had a good chance to talk to him." She felt the pain in her side again from earlier, but she ignored it.

Damon nodded. "Well. He's going to be a father. It's scary for him, but he's sort of…excited? But he doesn't want to get his hopes up. With everything that has happened."

Mary had heard about Elena being pregnant. She told her that she would be there for her if she needed support or had any questions.

Damon sighed, taking another drink from Bella's coke. "I told him everything will work out. I'm positive he's the father, and Elena is trying, really trying. I told him to be thankful for this surprise. It kills me he's so young, and is going to be a dad before me, but hey, I'm gonna be the best uncle."

Bella glanced at Mary, who was blushing a bit. "Well, very sound advice. I'd tell him the same thing."

Damon stole another fry and then looked at Mary. "Are you feeling okay? You look a little flushed." He commented and reached over, the back of his hand gently brushing her cheek.

"Yes, I'm fine." Mary said quickly. "Uh, just tired."

He nodded. "If you need rest, you can do those expense reports from home. You don't have to push yourself."

"No, really. I'll come into the office. It's no big deal."

Damon shook his head. "Mary, you need to take care of yourself. You're working a lot, and you don't need to. It's okay. If you need anything, that's what I'm here for." He smiled.

Mary knew that. She knew that Damon, Bella, and even Klaus, made would make sure her and the kids were great. They had given her more than she could ever repay, and she just wanted them to see that she works hard. That she's not just a mooch. "It's fine. I…I like working, and it's really not a big deal." She wasn't flushed because she was tired. It was because of Damon's words.

Lexi Branson walked in. She was an Assistant District Attorney. Damon stood, kissing her cheek.

"Hey Branson," he smiled and then sat back down.

"Salvatore. We have a problem." She was serious looking.

Damon frowned. "We do?"

"Yes. We can't find him."

"Fuck," Damon got back to his feet. "How did you lose him?"

"I didn't lose him. If they would have honored the original sentencing."

Damon wanted to hit something, but he calmed down. He turned and looked at Bella. "Bella, Edward isn't in jail."

Bella frowned. "What do you mean he's not in jail?"

"After the preliminary hearing, the judge sentenced him like I told you that night, but then at the appeal, his lawyer did for him, they rebutted the previous sentencing. There was a new judge, and well. He got a lighter sentence. They let him out on probation with time served." Damon explained.

Bella was pale. "And…he's missing."

Lexi looked at Bella, her eyes apologetic. "I'm so sorry Bella. We are looking for him everywhere."

"Call Klaus." Damon said instantly. "Get a security team in place. I don't want you left alone." He ordered, turning to walk out.

Bella stood, grabbing his arm, and spun him to look at her. He stopped, his hands going to her face, framing it, and he stared at her very intently.

"Bella. Please. I cannot let anything happen to you again." His voice shook. "You are far too important to me to let this go. For once, fucking listen to me." His icy stare was serious, and Bella nodded. He sighed and kissed her forehead, and then smoothed her hair. "Call Klaus now." He said, and then he looked at Mary. He leaned in and kissed her cheek gently. "I'm sorry I can't stay for the rest of lunch. I really need to get to the office. Please go home and take care of yourself."

Mary just nodded, watching him leave with Lexi. She looked at Bella. Damon cared about her a lot. She could tell that he loved her. She wasn't sure in what capacity, but it made her heart sink a little thinking about it. She cleared her throat, getting Bella's attention. "Call Klaus hun."

Bella blinked a few times, and then she sat back down, shaking a little. She took her phone out and she called Klaus.

[Mikaelson Manor]

Bella and Mary went to the manor. Bella didn't want to drive alone, and Mary wanted to be with her. After Bella explained to her what happened last year with Edward, Mary didn't want Bella to be alone either. She called her sister and let her know that she was Klaus' and that Jeremy was going to be picking up Lola, and Annabeth from ballet after it was finished.

Klaus was angry. Bella had seen him angry a few times before, but he was livid right now.

Bella felt sick. She had been feeling sick all day, but she was trying to ignore it. She hadn't thrown up at all yet, but nausea rolled through her all day.

She thought that Edward was doing the right thing. That he was taking the sentence and pleading guilty because he wanted to make amends. How did the court let this happen? Did they not care about her at all?

Klaus was on the phone with his security officer when Jasper came in. He rushed to Bella to hug her.

"I heard about Eddie. Are you okay?" Jasper asked, looking down at her with hazel brown eyes.

"I'm…going to be sick." Bella said, and then she was rushing out, and to the bathroom.

Jasper looked at Mary. "I'm Jasper Whitlock. Bella's best friend."

Mary smiled. "Mary Appleton," she said, nodding. "I've heard about you."

Rebekah came down the stairs and Jasper went to her and kissed her gently. "Eddie is out."

Rebekah frowned. "What? When did this happen?"

"Today apparently."

Klaus threw his phone, angry.

Jasper moved, going over to him, putting his hand on his arm. "Hey man, take some breaths. We'll figure it out."

Klaus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Thank you, Jasper." He said, and then looked at his sister, who was startled when he threw his phone. Mary had been startled too. "I'm sorry for scaring you both."

Bella emerged from the bathroom. She was pale, sweaty. "I don't…something is wrong." She said, her tongue feeling heavy in her mouth.

Elijah walked through the door, another man with him. "This is Landon. He's going to- "he cut off when Bella started to fall. He was closest to her and caught her before she hit the floor. He swooped her up into his arms.

"Niklaus, calm down brother," Elijah said calmly as he brought her to the couch and lay her down. "She's burning up."

Mary frowned, going to her side, and feeling her face. "She's really hot. She was complaining about some pain in her side earlier."

Klaus kneeled next to her, his hand running over her forehead, wiping sweat away. "She hasn't said anything today." He murmured.

Elijah left and returned with a thermometer. He took her temperature. "103.6. Get her to the hospital." He said, his voice serious.

Klaus stood, lifting her into his arms. "Jasper, grab the keys to the Tesla."

Jasper nodded, going to the garage without a word, Rebekah following him. They just started dating after prom, and it was still new, but Bella was like a sister to her now that she and Klaus had been dating. She felt bad for being mean to her all those times. Rosalie didn't understand how Klaus could like someone like Bella, and not someone like her, but Rebekah kept herself out of that argument. Especially after what Bella went through, Rebekah was more understanding now.

Klaus brought her to the car and got into the backseat with her. Jasper drove, and Mary climbed in the passenger seat and they drove off to the hospital.