This is Damon's POV from a couple of years into the future. Hope it's not too much of a shock in comparison to the last couple chapters.

Somehow Elena and I kept from getting pregnant for the weeks and months before getting married when I'd become human again. Even though we weren't as fully energized as before, tired more easily. I fell asleep more times afterward than I care to admit, just because I'm so proud.

When we got pregnant a few weeks into being married, everything seemed so perfect. But when she told me we were gonna have a baby, I felt a mixture of scared and ecstatic. Ecstatic because I was able to keep my promise to her and be the father of her children. Scared because I might end up breaking that promise.

When I became human, I wasn't 100% sure I'd be able to do everything I did when I was human before. Sure, I was full of life and vitality during the hundred and fifty plus years I'd been a vampire. But what if those years were taken from me along with my immortality? What if that stuff in me that could procreate died the moment I did? But I didn't want to tell Elena, and maybe put that seed of doubt in her head. She was too happy to finally become a mother to even consider that same train of thought. So, I just wallowed by myself. If this turned out to be just a stupid worry then after we got pregnant for the second time, I'll actually let myself enjoy it fully. I was too scared to believe I'd be able to give Elena everything she deserved. She should be able to have kids. She should be able to see them grow up, make memories with them, become their confidant and role model. And I hoped I would be able to contribute to that dream too. But what if I couldn't?

What if the baby was born dead, or simply didn't grow that much?

So I went to Bon one day, asked her not to relay all this to Elena. Bon did a few subtle spells Elena didn't notice and consulted with other witches she'd gotten acquainted with. Hell, to be sure, she talked to Caroline's twins. Not sure how helpful they could have been, but I didn't know what all they discussed.

After months of research, Bonnie told me flat that there was no reason for me to be sterile now. That Elena was growing a baby, and I was the father, and it would be born alive.

Then good old Stefan got in my head. Sure, he was gone now, but I knew what he would say. And he cast even more doubt into my head. Witches didn't know all the secrets of the universe, much as they'd like to think. Maybe this was the one-time Bonnie would be wrong, and I'd break my promise to Elena. She'd leave me, be an old maid and never get to live her dreams, because I'd ruined the prospect of ever having kids for her.

Elena's water broke a couple hours ago. I know that statistically, labor could last anywhere from another few hours to a few days. Maybe even a week. But our little baby came within the next five hours. I wasn't in there with her, and she didn't get mad at me for not being there. I was being too selfish about the prospect that she wouldn't want to see me after the baby was stillborn. I was pacing the halls, even though Bon kept assuring me the baby should be physically safe. And Alaric came to support me and Elena too. He went into her room and he saw our little bundle of joy before I did.

He came out with a knowing smile on his face, and my heart skipped a beat.

"It's almost like when Caroline gave birth to the twins, man. She's beautiful, perfect.

And alive."

I don't remember the last time I cried so hard. Maybe when I thought Kat killed Jer. Maybe when I knew from Alaric's dead body that Elena had died too. But this was happy crying. I was grinning and hugging Alaric, practically bawling on his and Bonnie's shoulders, soaking their shirts and skin through with my tears. They didn't protest though.

"Damon!" Elena called. One nurse who had assisted with the birth was going through the door and I caught a glimpse of her as she called me. The door was so thick I don't think I would've heard her call otherwise now. But she held the little bundle of blanket to her chest and I shakily went in the room.

I came to Elena's side, and took a look at the newborn she and I made.

They were perfect, just like Rick had said. A cute little button nose, big poofy cheeks like their mother. A tiny, closed mouth that looked like mine. And perfect, closed little eyelids still translucent enough I saw the little blue spidery veins. They were still a little pink, but I guess I missed the nurses cleaning the baby. Elena caught my eye.

"You wanna hold your daughter?"

My breath caught in my throat and my eyes wide, I reached without needing to reply. She lifted my baby girl just enough that I could slip my hands underneath her and lift her up. Her covered feet nestled against my chest as I lifted her little face to mine. Her eyes were still closed, and I ached for her to open them and look at me. Look at me first, see her father. Baby Salvatore, my daughter.

"I have a baby name I really like, but we can talk about it if you would rather something else." Elena said softly. I nodded and looked at my beautiful wife, that had sweat beaded on her forehead and her gorgeous hair stuck to it. I ached to brush it aside, but not when I had my daughter in my arms. I put her head against my chest and cradled her.

"Bonnie."

"Yeah?"

I turned around in surprise and Bon and Alaric were in the room too. They must've come in with me. A look between Elena's warm smile and Bonnie's face lighting up told me that was the name she'd picked out.

"Sounds perfect." I replied, looking at one of my best friends. Bonnie grinned at me and kissed my cheek gratefully.

"Bonnie Salvatore sounds great." Alaric commented. "Her middle name gonna be Alaric?"

Elena laughed and I treasured that music, knowing there were many more years of hearing that wonderful sound still.

Stefan had often been wrong.

The only one I'm more scared of losing than Elena, is Bonnie.

My little baby girl.