Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, the Vampire Diaries or the Originals or any of the characters or events that have happened in the TV shows that happen in this story. Everything belongs to the author.

Chapter 38: Reconciliation and Celebration Prep

Kol

She threw up whatever was left in her stomach and then apologized. I had the right to know why she was so hell bent on doing everything herself. However, I didn't expect to be slapped or for her to say what she did. We hadn't had time to discuss all the things that had happened, just the two of us. So when she started saying what she did I was shocked. She had never flat out yelled at me at least not on purpose. However, this time was different. She let it all out. In a matter of seconds, sweet Bella turned into a young teenager mother before my eyes. She had held in all her fear, anger, pain, and frustrations. Then like a dam breaking. I had added onto it. I had taken a large knife and stabbed it into her dam. Like a wound it festered and today I broke it. I looked down at Bella and kneeled next to her.

Her heart rate picked up and she slowly sat on her knees.

She looked at me. Her eyes were red and the tear streaks on her face glistened in the sunlight. I saw fear. I knew she wasn't afraid of me hurting her, but afraid of what I would do. She feared that I would take Ellie and go. She looked exhausted. She hadn't slept long because Ellie had woken her up.

"Kol?" Her voice was so hoarse.

I just stared at her. She became worried. It was written all over her face. I kept my face neutral. I thought about letting her sweat it out and think the worst. That idea left my head as quickly as it had appeared. I couldn't do that to her. She didn't need to be yelled at. She needed support, not what I had been doing. Yes, I had been supportive, but not to the extent I should've been. I moved closer to her and she looked up at me. Her face was full of fear and her hands started shaking. She was so brave. She faced her fear head on, no matter the consequences she might suffer. I didn't ever feel like she considered how I felt but I came second. Once she thought that I might never turn my humanity back on she acted in Ellie's best interests. She didn't get romantically involved with anyone because deep down she had hope I would come back but it was hard to hold onto that hope. I knew that deep down and yet I had ignored that fact. I thought that since she forgave me it didn't bother her anymore. Clearly I had assumed too much. I had thought she was doing this to spite me, because she was mad or hated me. I was wrong. She loves me and wanted nothing more than to stay by my side. She had to focus on Ellie more than she did me. She didn't know if I would ever come back and so she continued doing what she did for Ellie. Even if that meant she would go do the hard things without me, so that I could stay with Ellie, so be it. I placed my palm on her cheek and she leaned into it, resting her head on my hand. She met my gaze and she smiled a small smile.

"I love you." She whispered.

In that moment I felt like a stupid but lucky idiot. Even though I was completely absent through the most important 9 months of her life she loved me. Bella made sure I stayed out of harm's way so Ellie would still have a parent if anything happened to her. She wanted to make sure our beautiful daughter still had at least her father if anything were to happen to her mother. I leaned forward and kissed Bella's forehead and she hugged me tight.

She started mumbling against my shoulder and crying again. I held her tight and rubbed her back.

"Let it out Bella." I said and that opened the floodgates.

She started sobbing. After a while, I started humming a lullaby my mother used to sing me. Bella was so tired that by the time I was done with the song, she was asleep. I picked her up and made our way back to Sam's house. When I entered Sam's yard he rushed to us.

"Is she?" His question died off and he smiled down at her.

"Emily and I will watch Ellie. You take her and rest. The pack will be busy tonight. We are going to host a celebration party for achieving our goal. Make sure Bella wears a short sleeve shirt." Sam said and Ellie appeared.

Can I stay with Aunt Emily and Uncle Sam pwease Daddy?

I smiled.

"Yes." I said and she kissed me on the cheek.

Thank you!

Ellie vanished. I took Bella to her room and laid down with her and I fell asleep next to her knowing we would be just fine.