Chapter 16 – What is Normal

After the wedding, back at the Salvatore Mansion, night has fallen and the house has started to settle in. The families have headed to their unique personal areas of the mansion.

In Stefan & Caroline's room, Caroline is making busywork, folding the twins' clothes, she is vamp'ing around more than necessary. Stefan is sitting at his desk, attempting to write in his journal, mostly watching Caroline. He knows something is on her mind. He loves to watch her work it out, the process that his wife uses to figure out an issue in her mind has always amazed him, the start where all the thought rush in at one time, some would call it narcotic. She then took one factor at a time, and decided whether it was important or not until she had all the concerns put together, to start talking. He just stared at her, zipping back and forth in their room. She was almost ready to talk, he could tell, the corners of his mouth started to slide upward. Caroline slowed to a human pace as she closed the top drawer of their dresser, "Stefan, do you think that nature's magic can have an impact on all vampires? The immorality spell is older than the dark magic that created the Originals. Your magic is all of nature's magic before it was removed from Qetsiyah. Do you think that nature's magic can affect vampires like it affects humans?"

Stefan leans his chin onto his palms, "I'm not sure how to answer the question. I think it would depend on what the magic was trying to do. Is there something specific you want to know?" Caroline is still unsure whether to say anything, "I haven't wanted to worry anyone, especially you. The last couple of weeks, I've been feeling things changing throughout my body. Stefan, I think the spell that took all Kai's magic from Elena, also took something out of me. I saw what looked like brown inky stuff coming out my skin. At the time, I thought because you channelling me, it was dark magic from Elena. I'm starting to think it wasn't Kai's magic, it might have been something to do with the magic that makes me a vampire. I was hoping that we can do some magic investigation like Bonnie and Damon did. I don't want everyone to worry, I'm not feeling sick, just different in a way."

Caroline turned to look at him, to make sure he wasn't upset, "It all has to do with the bloodlust. I've had it under control for so long. You taught me so well, and I've never had much of a problem with it, I have always still felt it." She did pause and show the concern on her face, "Stefan, I don't feel it anymore, at all. I get thirsty, hungry like when I was human and I didn't eat food all day. I don't look at someone's carotid artery and have to remind myself that they are a human being and not just food." Stefan sits back in his chair, he watches her pace as she continues, "If I'm honest about it, the only time I am completely satisfied, is when I'm feeding with you. Everything about your blood is different, it tastes different, it fills me in a way that is complete and whole like my soul is filled. The blood bags are like a snack, they only last for a few hours. A few sips from you can sustain me for days, so much longer than a dozen blood bags. None of this makes any sense, look at me, I'm justifying drinking your human blood." Caroline leans against the wall to hide her face in shame.

Stefan stands up from behind his desk and goes to her. His hand moves her hair out of the way so he can see her cheek, "Hey, remember, in sickness and health, till death do us part. That includes my wife loving my blood. Care, look at me. If something happened to you during the spell, we need to find out what it was. It isn't your fault. For the record, I happen to like when you feed on me. I spent all those years never being able to blood share and enjoy the intimacy that was involved. Now I can, with you, my wife. There is nothing better in my world, it feels amazing. That being said, we need to find out what did happen during the spell and if we can or should fix it." Caroline turned to her husband and threw her arms around his neck.

Stefan takes her hand and leads her around to the backside of his desk. He sits on his chair and pulls her on to his lap, "Now my lovely and amazing, overly narcotic wife, tell me everything you have already figured out." She looks into his eyes and opens her mouth as she is about to protest, his left eyebrow goes up, Caroline just starts to laugh as she leans in for a long kiss. This man knows her better than any other man ever, he knows her as well as Elena, that is definitely saying something. Caroline pulls out of the kisses with a smile on her face, "It's like I'm less of a vampire in some way. I know I've been able to control myself with my bloodlust, this is a new thing with your blood. And then not feeling bloodlust at all, even some of my heighten emotions, aren't as heightened. Right now, normally, I would be totally freaking out about this. I've known about this for a long time, and I'm not "Normal Caroline Freakin" in any way." She looks at Stefan who is trying to contain his smile from turning into a true laugh, he nods and motions with his hand to continue. She does, "I've done a little investigation on my own, I'm still vampire strong, I can still run as fast, and as far, my vamp hearing works just fine. I have not tried to heal anyone. I wanted to talk to you, and then maybe we could talk to Ric. Maybe he would like me to heal him."

Stefan wasn't too happy about bringing Ric into this, "Let's not worry Ric. We can find out right now. I'm a human witch now, all the side effects of the cure are gone. Your blood should be able to heal me, and if it doesn't, we know that my powers will. Light the candle." Stefan opens the desk drawer, pulls out a pocket knife. Caroline is concerned as she comes back to him with the candle from the bed nightstand, "Are you sure?" Stefan lovingly pulls her back to his lap, "Care, you have to know, this is the fastest and easiest way. Come here and kiss me." She leans in and kisses him. Stefan confidently, "Let's make this a real test. You need to feed and that will weaken my power just enough to give your blood the upper hand on healing." Caroline is not happy with that suggestion, "I don't like feeding on you when we are not at the temple. Stefan, your human, you don't reproduce blood quickly on your own, it's dangerous. At the temple, your powers help you reproduce faster than I can drink. I don't like this idea, we can wait, tomorrow, first thing, we can go to the temple. I need to finish the clean up from the wedding, we can do our test, make love, have a wonderful time." Stefan smugly smiles, "Nice try, wife. We can do our test right now. Everything will be fine." Stefan takes the pocket knife and cuts a knick in his wrist, puts into his wife's mouth, "Wife, Drink, Now!" Caroline took his wrist in her mouth and started to feed. Stefan pulls her head into his chest, and combs his fingers through her hair, "Blood sharing has always been something that I was scared to participate in. I never wanted to lose control. With you, knowing that my blood is what you want over everything else when you are feeding, it releases those same endorphins that blood sharing did as a vampire. I want you to know, I feel as connected as you do." Stefan knew he didn't have to say the word trust, he knew Caroline would stop feeding way before there was a reason to worry, that was one of the reasons he loved her so much. Caroline stopped feeding, she kissed away the drops of his blood from the wound her fangs left. Stefan felt the erotic touch of her tongue on the already sensitive skin, he took her chin in his hand lifting it to his face, "I'm fine, kiss your husband." She kissed his lips, he could taste the blood still on her tongue.

Stefan reached for the knife again, Caroline carefully eyed his every movement. He took the knife started at one wound, cut a line to connect it to the other fang wound. Stefan cringed at the pain of opening the wound so deeply, "Ok, let's see if this works, time to heal me." Caroline uses her fangs to open the skin on her arm, lifts it so Stefan can have access to the area open wound area she had a bit for him. Stefan takes her arm in his hand, puts his mouth on top of the bleeding wound and he begins to suck the blood. He remembers the way blood tasted on his vampire tongue, this was nothing like that, it was gamey and sweet at the same time, he immediately felt a burning heat down his throat, not unbearable. He felt the warmth growing throughout his neck, shoulders, it was spreading so quickly, in moments, he felt the wound that he had just opened burn as it closed and healed, he knew his wife's blood was healing him. Stefan stopped drinking, he looked up at Caroline and smiled, holding out his arm "Test is complete, looks like your healing abilities are intact."

Caroline took his wrist in her hand, and watched the wound close, the skin faded from bright red to pale pink, and finally perfectly healed human skin, "What do you think it is? Do you think we should be worried?" Stefan pulls her away from him, he needs her to look straight into his eyes, "Caroline, I love you, Do you remember when you were pregnant with the twins? You worried about everything, and when Elena went to sleep when Damon and I became warlocks. You always worry so much about all the things we don't know, yet. Right now, at this moment, you have no instinct to kill anyone. That is a good thing. Should we pay attention? Yes! Should you enjoy being the only vampire on the planet that doesn't want to rip your entire circle of friends and family apart? Yes! At this exact moment, I think you should enjoy your husband." Stefan turns her around, so that her back is facing him, he starts kissing her neck and shoulders, while unzipping her dress. Caroline stiffens up, "Wait, the girls." Stefan continues his kiss assault down her left shoulder blade, "Ric and I tucked them in when we got home. They are snug as two little comfy bugs. Now I'm busy working." Caroline let the shoulders of her dress fall to her waist as Stefan exposed both her shoulders, she turned around in his arms, "I guess a wife's work is never done." Stefan unhooks her bra from the back, "This task, never ever done." The bra drops between them, his kisses become more urgent, his breath hot on her skin. Caroline could feel the electricity coming from his body, it was igniting her from inside. Stefan grabs her bra and tosses it away. He pushes the chair away from the desk and stands up, Caroline's legs fall to the ground. Her arms slide up around his neck, in one motion, her dress falls to the ground, Stefan hears the rustle of falling fabric, "Now that is music to my ears, all I have to get rid of is your shoes and." Stefan pauses, he looks down at her, with a raised eyebrow, "On the panty front, do they have to live? Or can I kill them?"

He should have known the last comment was going to provoke a vampire reaction, Caroline looked up at him, fangs showing, eyes vamp'd, with passion bursting out of her. She stepped out of her dress lying on her feet and walked towards the bed, halfway across the room, she turned, lowering her chin, "Kill Them!" in the most seductive sultry voice Stefan had ever heard. His legs moved in slow motion, damn, why he couldn't move faster, damn human speed, he met her in the middle of the room. Stefan took her in his arms, his lips tore down on hers like their desire was hot white heated ambers of flame with nothing to extinguish them insight. There was no time for control, as she tore his shirt open, it slid off his shoulder, the leather from his belt didn't give her much of a problem either. Stefan stood there as his beautiful and incredibly, intimidating sexy wife vamp sped most of his clothing off him. He put his hand up to slow her down. He wanted a turn at her body, standing in front of him with her strappy shoes and lacy panties, how much more of this could he take. Caroline swatted his hand out of the way, tossed her head back, and glared at him. Caroline wasn't ready to let Stefan have his way, she put a little vamp strength into a push, he landed flat on his back in the middle of the bed a little less than 3 feet away. She took a leap and landed right on top of him. Stefan was caught up in the desires of the moment, he actually smiled at the thought, he just got pounced on.

He was not going to let his wife get all the glory in, he took the lacy barrier that blocked access an area of her body he was jones'ing for next, in his hand and 'killed it'. With her completely naked, his lips followed his hands as they roamed every inch, soon the passion flamed at levels that consumed both of them. Stefan was mesmerized by Caroline as she moved her body exactly where he wanted her like she was reading his mind, just when they were one, he saw her eyes close and the euphoria take over her entire being.

He couldn't stop her, he didn't want to, he felt her heat and desire rise, he watched as her control snapped, she let herself move in a rhythm that made every part of her body flame, just when she was letting the ambers take over. He took over igniting them once again with strong, deliberate thrusts of his pelvis to meet hers. He watched her eyes as her control snapped again, this time, his own control snap with her.

He realized the answer to his vampire wife's worries as to where her 'bloodlust' instinct had gone to as, he smirked as Caroline still trembling body laid on his chest, as he caressed her spine. Just moments ago, she had been in full vampire mode straddling him climaxing with him, her vampire was still very much alive and very sexy. If she was going to channel her inner vampire, what more could a husband want. Caroline was resting quite comfortably, and so was he, this news, Stefan decided could wait for the morning.

Outside the Salvatore Mansion…

Damon opens the passenger door, Elena softly opens her eyes, that nap felt wonderful. All the pregnancy books that she had been reading, warned her that she would be fatigued more often, she wasn't quite ready for the reality of feeling that fatigue. Damon whispers, "We are home, I will get you straight to bed, sleepyhead." his voice was filled with loving amusement. He slipped his arms under her and lifted her out of the car. Elena put her arms around his neck, "I can walk, you know, I'm not actually sleeping." Damon ignored her request, "It is customary for the groom to carry the bride over the threshold. And you, Mrs. Salvatore, are being carried." Elena kissed his neck, Damon, "Don't start that, I'm having a hard time with being a gentleman as it is. Help your husband out, open the door." Elena reached down and opened the front door.

The house was quiet, she wondered if Damon had taken a bit longer to get home so she could nap a little longer, she smiled, Damon logic. The fire in the living room was full of glowing ambers and gently flickering fingers of flame, clearly having been lit for a while. Yes, the rest of the family are settled in for the night, she and Damon were the last ones home from the wedding, Damon took the long way home to give her a chance to rest, and the house a chance to calm down. Elena leaning into his shoulder, "I don't want to go upstairs yet, can we stay down here for a while, I love it when we get to relax on the couch and watch the fire together." Damon could never deny her "Are you sure? Do you want to change first?" Elena purred, "I am perfectly comfortable in your arms." Damon carried her over to the couch, sat down, Elena twisted just a little so that her back was leaning more on the pillow then Damon's chest, she rested with her head on his shoulder, he put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed. Damon sat there with his wife, he corrected his thought, his pregnant wife, enjoying their home, in front of their fireplace. For just a moment, his mind raced through all the memories that brought him to this moment in time and how just one different decision would have prevented this from happening. His hand rested on Elena's stomach, again, he corrected his thought, his growing child. Damon whispered, "How are you feeling? Do you feel up to me using magic to be with the baby for a while?" Elena knew what he was asking "For just a little bit, not too long, he or she needs to rest."

Damon wrapped his arms around Elena and put his head on hers, closed his eyes. He felt her love for him open a path to her heart, from her heart he could feel the baby, he could hear their heartbeat. He let his magic flow into Elena, he knew it would be pulled by the baby. Every time he did this, he had a pang of guilt for the selfish pleasure he felt over being able to bond with his child this way, knowing that mere human fathers could not experience the same. Something was different this time, he didn't feel the baby pull his magic the same way as last time. He felt a pull, it wasn't an urgent pull like it has been, Damon wondered, he widened his magic stream and put more power into it, and he immediately felt the pull from the baby stronger than he had ever felt. His child was growing stronger, their peanut's magic was growing too. Damon started putting everything together, Elena being so fatigued, the baby growing, the magic growing. Their little peanut had discovered Mom's doppelganger blood and its magical power booster. Damon sent a nice steady current of magic to his little one, knowing that Mom was going to get a much-needed rest. He kissed Elena, his thoughts started racing about Elena being human and having doppelganger blood with no actual witch powers, his thoughts were raising so many questions, he knew he needed to find the answers quickly.

Noise from the stairs caught his attention, Damon looked up, Bonnie came around the bannister into the entryway. Bonnie was covered tightly in her robe and slippers on her feet, she reminded him of the long hours they would sit and talk in the prison world of 1994, she would always "get comfy" knowing that he would want to talk about Elena until the early morning hours and she would listen until she had to sleep, or the day would start again. Damon smiled as he remembered all the moments that solidified their friendship, "Shouldn't you two girls be tucked in next you an overprotective wannabe vampire?" Bonnie snarled back at him, "Ha Ha, Damon, be nice, Enzo isn't dealing with this as easy as he wants everyone to believe. The same is true for you, my friend. I can ask the same of you two?" Damon smirked at her knowing he couldn't fool her, "This is Elena's favorite moment of the day when it is quiet and the house is calm and safe. When everyone is tucked in sleeping and the fire is crackling. She wanted to relax before heading upstairs, then she fell asleep, I haven't had the heart to move her yet." Damon paused, "I have to admit it, I'm enjoying myself too, I've been baby bonding, magically that is. Hey, you changed the subject, what brought you downstairs?" Bonnie looked into the fire for a moment of reflection, and then began to speak, "If I told you nothing, and I'm worried because there is nothing, you'd think I was crazy. Damon, I haven't had any premonitions, no danger, no evil. You and I both know that with all this magic that we have connected, we have tipped the scales to good. Evil is going to fight back and in a big way. Where is it? You, Enzo, Stefan, Klaus, Lily, so many enemies of enemies know where we are, and no is on their way. It just doesn't make sense. We have the cure. No one wants it. Maybe someone is blocking our warning spells?" Damon knows how his best friend thinks, he chooses his words carefully, "Bonnie, I agree that we need to be aware. We have put some magic back in play that hasn't been there in over 2,000 years, we also destroyed hell twice. Evil is doing a lot of rebuilding right now. We need to be doing the same thing. You are re-building the Bennett bloodline, re-connecting blood magic in a way that it hasn't been used in over 2,000 years. Stef and I are something completely different and human again. We are re-building Nature's magic, and connecting to our elements, using parts of our beings we never knew existed. Not to mention, I got married to Elena, a pregnant doppelganger today. There are all sorts of new realities that are going on. Right now, you and I are going to sit here, we are going to breathe, and we are going to talk about how amazing the day was. You and Enzo are having a little Bon Bon who is going to grow up and be BFF with our little peanut."

Bonnie smirked, "Peanut?" Damon whispered, "Elena is not happy with the first nickname I came up with." Bonnie laughed when Damon's eyes did that mischievous sparkle he was known for, she could only imagine what the nickname was, she couldn't wait to badger it out of Elena when they were in private. Damon continued, "So we settled on Peanut until we know if Peanut is a boy or a girl." Bonnie agreed, "Peanut it is. Enzo has been talking about names. To be honest, I'm still adjusting." Damon takes over the conversation, "Bon, every time you come back from, ie you survive, some amazing, catastrophic adventure, it takes you a minute or two to adjust, remember scorching a douche bag with your magic at that Rave. You found out that the recently brought back to life with magic from a 2,000 year old spell, vampire love of your life created a little Baby Bennett Witch with you. I'd say you have a right to a moment or two of adjustment. Bon Bon."

Enzo walks into the room, "Here are my girls" Bonnie looked at Enzo, "I couldn't sleep, I ran into Damon on my way to get something to drink" Enzo with a little concern in his voice, "Did you ever get something to drink?" Bonnie smiles, "You know me so well." as she shakes her head no. Enzo heads into the kitchen with a little vamp speed, he comes back with two glasses, and one for Bonnie filled with milk, which she wrinkles her nose as he hands it to her "I know this isn't your favorite, it is good for you and it is good for Deidra?" Bonnie shakes her head, no again, Enzo agrees, "Ok" he sits down, and Bonnie settles into the nook of his side, she pulls her earring off, and uses the hook to poke a hole in her finger. Enzo puts his glass under her finger as a few drops of her blood fall into the glass, he swirls the liquid around to mix it together. Bonnie looks up at him and knows how much he dislikes the pain that he thinks this causes her. Damon confused, "Deidra?"

Bonnie keeps her voice low and even, "Enzo is trying out names for the baby. He is doing it alphabetically, he is on D's. I personally was thinking." Bonnie lowers her voice to a bare whisper, "Krystal with a K." She stares at Damon with a snarky smile. Damon's eyes open big and his mouth pierces as he glares at Bonnie. She lets a single laugh loose. Elena stirs, "Is everything ok?" Damon strokes Elena's head, "Shh, everything is fine, go back to sleep." Damon stares at Bonnie, then smiles. "No, I don't like Krystal with a K." Enzo glares at Damon, "That is a BFF story behind there for sure, I take it, a wife doesn't need to know about it it." Damon brought his two fingers up toward his eyes as a peace sign and then aimed them at Enzo in a silent gesture, agreeing with that statement.

Bonnie not exactly happy about it, continues to drink the milk, and Enzo finishes his glass of blood. Enzo changes the subject, "Love, you really need to get some rest, today has been a big day for all of us. I am having such time believing that this heartbeat that I am hearing is our child. I truly believe you. I know you, everyone is telling the truth. It is just a dream, I have never ever allowed myself to think of. Now the one person I have waited over a hundred years for is making me have these thoughts. Damon, you of all people understand, mate. I just need to hold Bonnie and not let her go for a few days, months, maybe years." Damon agreeing, "I have been there, actually at the moment, I am there, and I can raise you, a marriage license." He puts his ring finger in the air to show it off. Bonnie immediately changes the subject, "I'm ready to go back to our room." Enzo stands up, then leans down, scoops Bonnie into his arms "I shall carry you and Diana, there myself" Damon frowns and shakes his head while providing an absolute response, "NO!" Bonnie chuckles as they are walking up the stairs.

Elena stirs, Damon looks down at her, "Are you uncomfortable? " Elena purrs, "Not at all, I am too comfortable, I am got a lovely nap. Why did you let me sleep so long?" Damon grins, "Mostly, because, I happen to like holding you in my arms. Second, because I got to play or distract our child with my magic. I need to talk to you about that too. Can we get up to our room, first? I'd like to get out of this monkey suit." Elena went to stand up. Damon frowned, "This is our first night as husband and wife, it is customary for the groom to do the carrying of the bride over the thresholdsss." Damon put emphases on the 's'. "There are a few 1850's customs I would like to uphold, I would like to carry you up to our room." Elena lies back down on the couch, she lifts her knees to give him easier access for lifting. Damon smiles and slides his arms around her body, lifts her to his chest. He brings her close to his face and kisses her mouth. Elena waits until her head is safely tucked into his shoulder before rolling her eyes, these are the old fashion quirks she will just deal with. He climbs the stairs, each step he whispers words of love into her ear so that only she can hear. She kisses his neck as he is walking down the hallway.

The door to their room was open, the fireplace was lit, and fresh wood was crackling over the hot ambers. Someone had already prepared that for them. Rose petals were everywhere, all over the floor, on the bed, in the bathtub and on the shower floor. Dozens of long stem red roses were on top of every piece of furniture. Elena thought Caroline & Bonnie had something to do with this for sure.

Damon impressed, "This looks like a honeymoon suite to me" Elena can't get over her friends, "I love it." Elena slides out of Damon's arms, she turns facing the room with his arms still around her, she puts her hands on his. They stand there for a moment. Elena emotionally, "Mr. Salvatore this is our honeymoon." Elena's voice has a bit of surprise in it. Damon tightens his grip around her, "I'm a little in Aww that we actually made it. Mrs. Salvatore. I know we agreed on Elena Gilbert Salvatore. Would you mind for the honeymoon we go with Mrs. Salvatore?" Elena she doesn't let him see her grin, "I can work with that." She turns around, puts her arms around his neck, pulls his head down to hers and takes possession of his mouth. Damon loses control almost immediately, his hands take her body inch by inch, pulling her closer, demanding more in his touch. Elena reaches the front of his shirt, her intent is immediately known. Damon's hands reach for hers in the gentlest way, he flattens them underneath his over his heart.

Damon took a very deep breath, lifts his head and kisses Elena's forehead, he is about to do one of the most impossible tasks of his life, he almost shakes his head at how this was never a possibility let alone going to be his choice, "Honey, these are not the words I ever expected to come out of my mouth on our first night as husband and wife. I am the husband, I made a vow today, your needs and the needs of our child have to come first. You have had an exhausting day. I really think that we should call it a night, and start all of this in the morning after you have had a good night sleep." Elena wanted to laugh out loud, Damon Salvatore saying NO to sex, in what universe does that happen, her mind was already 10 steps ahead, her next thought 'No way Salvatore, this is my wedding night!' Elena slowly looked up at him making sure to brighten her eyes, knowing how her brown eyes effected him when they were a specific 'doe' way as he told her in the past, she would have to approach this conning and deviously, she was going to be a version the old, selfish Damon Salvatore, she was going to have a little fun tonight, "Hmmm.. I see, my noble husband." she put an appropriate amount of disappointment in her tone, knowing that would pull on his guilt strings.

Damon put his hand under her chin "Elena, don't be upset with me. Inside this beautiful body are the two most important beings that have ever come into my life. I'm not going to do anything that might put them in harm's way or danger. That includes starting a honeymoon late so you can get some rest. Let's not make a big deal about this. It's not worth turning into a fight."

In Elena's mind, the fight had already begun, she knew Damon had made up his mind, human, witch or vampire. Damon Salvatore was a stubborn beast and her protection was always put in front of everything, everyone and even himself. Tonight he made up his mind that she and the baby were in harm's way, and he needed to 'protect' them. Didn't he realize what he had been doing for the past 90 minutes for both of them, his wife and his child, Elena realized that he was an amazing father who didn't ask enough questions before making up his stubborn mind.

She had made up her mind too, she was going to get a wedding night and might as well start fighting dirty, she turned her back to him, as she starts to answer him in a calm and relaxed voice "I understand. Can you unzip my dress? This is such a perfect dress. Caroline said you bought everything, you only asked for help with makeup and hair. Did you really pick out every piece of my wedding attire?" Damon asked with confidence and male pride "I did. Can I assume you approved!" He gently takes her hair and moves it off her back, Damon can't help but notice how silky soft in feels flowing through his fingers, he loves the way it feels when he can wrap his fingers and hands in her hairs and…. He shakes his head and tells himself stop thinking about that. Elena is your wife, she is pregnant, she and the baby need rest. Elena feels the pause as he moves her hair out of the way, she knows her plan is working.

Damon's hands handle the zipper with ease, there was a sense of male confidence as he undoes the single hook and pulls the zipper down the length of her back. His eyes follow the zipper as it exposes the skin of her back, he slowly starts to remember the rest of the 'wedding attire' that he had purchased. Elena felt Damon's knuckles brush against her back the steady swift pull of the zipper slows, she knew he just realized what was underneath her dress, she almost giggled 'this is just too easy' she thought, she decided to make a little shiver, just to give him something to react to. Damon's hand was on fire when Elena's back touched his skin, he saw her move, and he felt the electricity flow directly to his cock. The zipper finally reached its ending point. Damon is literally frozen as the dress falls off Elena's shoulders. She immediately turns around and lets the dress continue falling to the floor. She watches as Damon confidence shakes at the sight of her standing there in the white sheer lace undergarments that he had picked out.

His mind registers how totally screwed he is, he can't move a muscle, anything he does will betray his resolve. He was right, the lingerie, it fits her perfectly, Elena looks so amazing, he wants to touch her, kiss her, tear every piece of that damn lace off her. His bride was the sexiest woman he had ever laid his eyes on. His brow starts to arch, his eyes start to gloss. Elena sees the changes, she know this was the time to heat up the battle, she runs her hand over her breast slowly, caressing the soft silk lace of the bra cup, "I love how soft the silk is, every day my nipples have been just a bit more sensitive than the previous." To prove it, she catches one in between two fingers and the nipple instantly tightens into a peek. Damon's lower jaw drops open, just a bit, she knows his resolve is shredding before her eyes. She smirks, and realizes the battle is about to end.

Elena had more power over Damon than even he knows, this was her moment, it was time to show him, she flicks her wrist, all of Damon's clothes burst into Dragonflies. Damon stands completely naked watching as all the Dragonflies flutter out the window. He looks at Elena, completely confused, he is speechless, fully erect and aching with desire in his eyes. Elena knows she has won, she reaches for him and walks her fingers down his chest until she has his need for her in her hand, strokes it, as his breathes deepen, and "Peanut isn't the only one that can borrow magic. I would like to prove to you that I'm feeling very well. Peanut is resting after playing hide n seek with you most of the evening." Just to prove how strong her magic is, she uses it to hover Damon over to the bed, sits him down on the edge.

As he sits on the side of the bed, Damon is incomplete Aww as to what his wife is doing, his weak human wife. His mind is racing through thought afterthought, one keeps coming to the front of his mind 'dump ass when are you going to stop underestimating Elena Gilbert'.

Elena follows him to the bed, she puts one foot on his leg, she unclips her garter, starts unrolling her stocking down her leg. Damon can't help it, his hands reach up to touch her thigh, he can feel electricity his touch causes to her skin, he reaches around her hips and unhooks the garter belt completely, he has had enough. Elena feels the other stocking fall to the ground, she steps away from the bed. She looks into Damon's eyes, he is smouldering with desire, she loves that look. She isn't ready to declare victory just yet, "Damon, do I look tired to you?" Damon looks her body up and down, and up again "No, wife, you do not look tired at all." Elena looks at his cock, arches her eyebrow, licks her lips, "Husband, what do I look like I want to do?" Damon swallows and takes a deep breath, "God, Elena, just get over here so I can touch you." Elena knows she has won. She slowly removes her bra and throws it at Damon, once he looks back at her, she squeezes her breast together, making sure he gets a good view. She takes a few steps toward him, she reaches for his hands, puts them on her hips as she straddles him on the bed. Elena demands, "Husband, make me your wife, officially. It is your duty." Damon understood what she means, she was using 1860's tradition against him. He took her in his arms and laid her on the bed underneath him, his need for her deepened, her legs opened for him. That was all he could take, was it his selfish nature, or his wanton wife, he didn't care, the passion between them blazed for the next few hours.

Finally, as she lay naked in his arms, he realized all she wore was her wedding garter high on her right thigh and her wedding ring, he reminded himself, their wedding ring. He looked at his ring finger on his hand, resting on her baby bump, protectively covering his child. His finger drew circles around her nave, "That was my favorite Tux" Elena chuckled slightly louder than a whisper, "I guess we will have to go shopping for another. I imagine you want an explanation too... Surprise." Damon lifted his head, "Surprise isn't exactly an explanation."

Elena could see she was going to have to explain everything, she put her hand on his head and raked her fingers through his hair, knowing that would appease him just a little, "I know, I should start with, I figured out might have been pregnant couple of weeks before we took the test. One morning, I came downstairs to find you and Stefan outside with Demetrius having a magic training class. For the first time, I could see and hear Demetrius perfectly. Over the next week, I made an extra effort to be around while you and Stefan were training. At first, I was curious, I couldn't get over that you were now a witch, your magic was so different than Bonnie's. Each session I learned more, I wanted to be able to understand what you were going through, I wanted to support you. At first, I figured, I was a doppelganger, so I could see and hear because of Stefan being doppelganger. Then one day, I listened to him talk about your magic, about Nature's magic, about the brothers bond, and how throughout history, you were the first siblings to prove your worthiness in the bloodline. That's when I realized, that I was carrying the next in line. That was why I could see and hear him. I wanted to tell you right away, you had so much going on, magic was so new to you, also being human, being a witch, me being awake, Enzo & Bonnie, I didn't want to add a worry to you, I don't know why, but I knew everything was ok. I knew you needed more time to understand magic, the more understood, the less would scare you when you found out about Peanut. So, while you learned, so did I. I knew I was growing a little witch or warlock, they would need to go through the training you were, magical or not, I'm their mother, I have know, so I listened and learned."

Damon hugged Elena tightly, "So you learned all that. I'm guessing you didn't stop there. What else do you know about your magical powers and our magical offspring that you haven't shared with good ole dad?" Elena grins, "Damon, you have to admit, you go a little overboard on the protecting stuff, especially, when you don't know everything about it. Peanut is our child, he or she is special just like you are. And you have required a lot of special love and patience. So we are going to give him or her, the same." Elena took Damon's hand and put it on her stomach, "You can feel Peanut, nice and relaxed, that is what your magic does. Earlier gave Peanut quite the playtime and you juiced my doppel blood, I think Peanut has a bit of a magical hangover." Damon drew circles around her navel, while Elena combed her fingers through his hair, "At night, Peanut usually pulls your magic when we are sleeping and when we are touching during the day. It is an easy draw for Peanut, since you both have the same magic element source. Peanut draws from Stefan too, his magic is like ying/yang. When I get too fatigued, and you're not around, I will sit next to Stefan, Peanut will draw from him, instead of me. It is quite a natural feeling for me to be next to a Salvatore brother, I am able to rest very comfortably. Peanut is going to be very close to his or her Uncle, I'm so happy about that." Damon smiles, "How do you know all this?" Elena looks down at him smugly, "Damon, our magical child lives inside of me. I'm the mother, everything Peanut needs to grow comes from or through me. Of course, I know."

Damon voice changes, "You become weakened. Stefan and I will figure out a way of protecting you." Elena exasperated, "Damon, out of all that, you only heard, Peanut draws from my doppel blood." Elena sits up and moves Damon out of the way, "I don't need protecting from my own child. I'm fine, I'm healthy, I'm happy. I believe that you figured out the answer pretty easy tonight. You just need to be a great Dad and play hide n seek with your child, and leave a little bit of magic in my blood for Peanut to snack on." Elena put her hands on her hips, breathing heavy, exposing her breasts, Damon realized she was changing, her body was changing from Peanut, he had noticed the bare baby belly bump, from this angle, her breast are fuller, he knew he was staring, he couldn't stop himself. Elena glaring, "Damon" she declared. Damon looked at her face with a smile, "You distracted me and you know you meant it too, so don't act all innocence." Elena smirked and changed the subject, "Now that I have your attention. I would like to remind you that I'm a newly married bride." Damon conceded for now, "Is that your way of telling me that I'm not paying enough attention to you?" Elena shakes her head yes. Damon reaches for her, "I realized that your body is changing with Peanut, I have to pay a lot more attention to those changes."

He bends his head and takes her nipple into his mouth and suckles, Elena inhales deeply. Her arms weaken as she collapses on to her back again, Damon leans on his elbows, takes both her breasts, one in each hand, firmly grasps and switches back and forth with his mouth suckling each nipple until firm and hard, just before he releases it, he nips it between his teeth sending shock waves of tingles through Elena spine. Elena arches her back, Damon feels her spreading her legs, he wants more this time. He shifts to one side, Elena opens her eyes, they are glossy and wanting, Damon loves this look, he lives for this look in her eyes, from the first time he saw it, the first morning after the first time they made love, before he realized she was sired to him, he longed to do all that he could to her, for her so that look would be in her eyes always. And this time, like every time, it consumed him. Damon was demanding, "Elena, Come here to me, put your back to me, I want my hands on your breasts, they are fuller, your hips are shaping different, I want you this way, Can we?" Elena didn't say any words, she twisted and did as he asked. She slid into a nook that she often slept, she felt his hardness, his hand cupped her breast, his hand pushed her hip forward, his leg slid under hers, slightly lifting, then she feels him. She feels his heat, the way he fills her, she presses into him, she matches his rhythms this way, his hand kneaded her breast and pinched her nipple with each thrust of their bodies. She arches towards him, their passions are firing hotter. Elena says the words that he can't refuse "Harder... More.. Damon.. Please.." He positions them slightly and braces himself on his arms, angling more so that his pelvis will meet her amazing backside with every thrust. Her legs widen, he is deeper with more in control now, he wants her to climax this way. He feels her knees start to bend upward and toes start to point. He keeps the rhythm, it makes Elena pant, she is breathing so hard through her mouth, the words "Damon, please" came out between breaths. That is all he needs to hear, Damon's control is broken, he can't hold on any longer, "Baby come to me, squeeze me, Elena, make me yours, Now!" Elena roared, she moaned with a breathless pant, she bucked up to her knees, her calf and foot opened back to lay on his hip, her toes curled as she pressed into him once, twice, she kept tightening around him with every spasm of her orgasm. Her back slowly lost its arch as she started to breathe again. Damon gently rolls to his side, brings her over to him, "How do you do that to me every damn time?" His heart is pounding, Elena loves to hear it, "I'm not going to answer. I have to keep my secrets.. I have to have some magic too." Damon looks down at her, his thoughts go back to the middle of the street so many years ago when he first laid eyes on her... She had put him under her spell, from that very moment, he had been hers.

Elena opens her eyes, the sun is bright, she knows that Peanut is awake too. She can feel that special type of fatigue setting in. She rolls over to Damon, he stirs, lifting his arm, she slides under and nudges his chest, "Peanut is awake and wants to play", Damon stretches around her, kisses her head, "Good morning, wife." he lays his hand on her stomach, "Good morning, Peanut." as he sends a current of magic through her skin, "Did that help?" Elena yawns and stretches her arms above her head, "It did, Peanut is settling down, thank you, I can feel that right away. I can't get over the difference between you putting magic inside me and Peanut drawing it from you." Damon twisted on top of her, "Let me see if I can distract Peanut for a bit, I would like to have some quality time with Mom." He moves down to her stomach, sliding the covers away as he lowers his head, exposing her naked body. He kisses her baby bump, "Peanut, I'm going to teach you a little bit about Mom's blood." He looks up at Elena, "Honey, you might feel a little queasy for just a minute or two. I am so sorry. Time for Papa to teach Junior not to feed from Mom." Elena's brows curl just a bit, she isn't looking forward to morning sickness again, "What are you going to do?" Damon looked back with his sexy eyes, "I'm going to add a little bit too much Zinc to your blood. I called the doctor early morning, it isn't going to hurt Peanut or you. It just isn't good for Peanut's magic, the Zinc acid is what Stef uses a part of his juicing the waters, it will not feel as good as my magic will. As soon as I add the Zinc to your blood, I'm going to add twice as much of my magic, Hopefully, this will discourage Peanut from using the magic in your blood." Elena felt a flood of nausea come over her, she closed her eyes and took deep breathes. Damon frowned, he hated the look of discomfort on Elena's face, "Hold on, I'm almost done. Ok Peanut, not so tasty. How about something from Good Ole Dad." Damon stretched his hand toward the window, it swung open, the wind came swirling in, all the rose petals were caught in the vortex. Damon brought his hand down to her stomach. Elena immediately felt better, stronger, the strength and energy was returning to her. Damon looked her in the eyes, "I thought I'd give Jr a little extra juice. It will also get rid of all Stef's magic in your system. Are you feeling better?"

Elena looked up at him with her big brown eyes telling him all he needed to know, "Much better." She put her hand on his chest letting it roam, showing him how much better she was feeling. She twisted just a bit to release her other hand. Damon smirked at her, "Elena, I'm currently on Daddy Duty. You are not playing fair." Elena looks up at him with a smirk that rivals his devilish charm, "I know." Her hand went lower, stroking his every desire. Damon's mind was so mixed up, his body was doing one thing, his magic was doing another.

Damon closed his eyes trying to focus on one thing, while losing focus on the other, "Damn it, Elena." the wind turned into a full gust blowing the roses everywhere, the vortex brought in pine cones and flower buds through the open window. Elena drew from Peanut's magic, she used her finger to turn Damon over onto his back, she followed him, straddling him with her legs on either side. She put her hands out. Damon took them, she put all of her weight on, and slowly slid down on him. He filled her completely, she moaned with pure ecstasy, he took his time as he let his eyes follow every inch of her face, neck and body down to the point that it met his. She began moving, leaning up and down on his shaft, slowly at first, feeling every inch of him thrusting in her body, her pace increased. Damon held on to her hands, keeping her rhythm, "Keep going, Baby, I've got you, Oh Fuck, Elena, you are so beautiful. You are driving me nuts. Look at you. Keep going. Keep going." Damon let go of her hands, reaches her breasts, flicks the nipples and cups as much of the breast that will fit in his hands, he makes a mental note of how they no longer fit. He lowers his hands to her hips, he squeezes them tightly, holding on, he uses his hips and bucks at her, meeting her movements with velocity. Elena whimpers, he knows she is close to peeking, she starts to slow, he won't let her, he keeps the pace with his movements, he feels the wetness increase, he feels her heat ignite, she starts to tighten around his shaft. He bucks again, and one more time, she cries "Damon... Damon", he thrusts his hips upward, deeper, stronger, faster. "Damon, oh god, Damon" She pulses on him, he feels it all and with the last pang of wet heat, he climaxes deep inside her. She collapses on top of him.

Elena breathing heavy and completely exhausted "Ok, you can go back to playing Hide N Seek with Peanut." She rolls over on to her back. Damon spreads eagle "Just use me woman, why don't you" Elena sat up, kissed him chastely on the cheek "Ok, I will continue to do so, Thank you." She laid back down and fell right to sleep. Damon lifted his head and looked at his gentle human wife and let out a mighty roar of laughter, he thought 'Elena would never stop taking his breath away'. He turned to his side and stared at this amazing naked woman who was carrying his child, this moment in life couldn't get much better. His daydream was cut short when he remembered what he was supposed to be doing, Damon realized his life was about to get just a bit better, so he concentrated, gathering up magic from the wind, he let it die down to a breeze again and placed his hand on Elena's bump, he was going to spend some time with his child.

The magic wasn't being pulled any longer, Damon knew that Peanut was calm and magically full, Elena was in a deep sleep. He carefully got out of bed, looked around and shook his head, there were rose petals and roses everywhere, stuck in the mouldings, hanging out of the tops of the lopsided artwork, Elena's wedding dress hanging off the mirror, her bra on the lampshade, his bowtie was on the picture frame, a stocking on the armoire, he looked over at the bed with Elena sound asleep, he had to smile, the entire scene looked like a well-used honeymoon suite. His male pride got the best of his thoughts 'Not bad for a human, Damon Salvatore, not bad at all'. With a swelled chest, he walked into the closet got dressed quietly, and headed downstairs.

The kitchen door opened, Stef looked at him with a brother smirk of sarcasm that was ready to burst. Stef couldn't help but notice Damon was beaming, "Rough night Bro." Damon smiled, "Shut up Stef." Stefan roars laughter. Caroline jesting, "Geez, Damon, you are grumpy!" Damon walking over to the cabinet for a mug, "No, Caroline, I'm not grumpy, I'm quite happy, thanks for noticing. My brother is being tackless and juvenile. Thank you by the way. Elena and I really appreciate the Honeymoon Suite. It was perfect." Caroline smiled, "I'm so glad. What did you think of the nightgown. We picked it out weeks ago, absolutely not for a wedding. I thought she'd.." The look on Damon's face was confused. Caroline gasped, "ohh, you didn't see it." Stefan let out another roar. Damon threw an orange at him. Caroline stood up, "I'll go see if Elena." Whoosh with vamp speed she was gone .. Damon looked towards the door, "Care, Elena is still sleeping. Oh well, she will figure it out.. Shit Care, the roses.. Oh well." Stefan hands Damon a cup of coffee, "Welcome to married life, Brother." Damon takes the coffee and clinks Stefan's cup.

Damon takes a swig from the mug and his tone has changed to serious, "I did find out something interesting last night. Our lovely, Elena has been keeping secret from me, well actually us, little brother." Stefan puts his cup down and looks at Damon. Damon looks up at Stefan, "She can do magic. How's that for a surprise? She has been able to see and hear Demetrius for almost 2 months. She figured out she was pregnant after hearing him talk about bloodlines during one of our training sessions. It turns out, Peanut – that's what she is calling the baby, has discovered that doppelganger blood is a nice big magical battery. Peanut has been draining Elena, that is why she has been so fatigued and extra clinging. When Elena touches you or me, Peanut is pulling through her from us. Apparently, Peanut doesn't like doppel blood magic."

Stef stares off for a moment, "That makes sense, when she and I were dancing yesterday, I felt her.. Peanut pulling magically from me, I was wondering what was going on." Damon smiles, "She's been secretly juicing from us for weeks. Elena told me that my magic, well she used the word 'satisfies' Peanut and your magic "calms or comforts", she is convinced that you and Peanut are going to be BFF's." Stefan smiles knowing how Elena thinks and how she tends to make her feelings happen. He couldn't help himself, he was looking forward to meeting his niece or nephew.

Stefan stares at Damon for a moment, the brother bond was working, he was sensing Damon's feelings "You are worried about Elena, aren't you? As the baby grows, so does the magic. The more Peanut is going to pull from her Doppel blood, right?" Damon knew he couldn't hide anything from Stefan "Yepp" Stefan tried to provide a little perspective "Damon, this is Elena, she is tougher than both of us, you know she is going to be fine. You and I can feed Peanut our magic any time that Elena needs, we can protect her. Damon, you and I have been trying to do it for over 10 years. For the first time, I think she will actually be cooperative." Damon smiled, "Good point, that would be a novelty – a cooperative Elena. Maybe Hell did freeze." The brothers broke into laughter as Caroline and Elena walked through the kitchen door.

Elena walks into Damon's open arms, "What joke did we miss?" Stefan smirked as he opens his arms for Caroline's embrace, "Hell freezing over." Caroline kisses him, he winks at her, "Coffee, honey." Caroline replies "Yes, please." Elena sounds so envious, "I miss coffee." Damon distracts Elena, "Here is your breakfast smoothie all ready. Hey, I have a little something else for Peanut." He put his hand on her stomach and sent a current of magic. "A little distraction so you can enjoy breakfast." Stefan adds to the conversation, "Damon gave me a little heads up on the Peanut situation, Elena, do you mind if I add a bit to the distraction, see if it helps?" Elena sticks her belly out "Go for it, Peanut loves Uncle Stef too." Stefan puts his hand on Elena's stomach and closes his eyes, "Woww, I can feel it.. I mean Peanut pulling my magic. This kid is strong, clearly takes after his Uncle." Damon huffs, "No way, The Dad, Dad saved your life remember." Elena takes issue with the brothers statements "Excuse me, My child is strong and courageous just like me, the Mother, who not just survived but changed both of your lives. Trump that brothers." Damon and Stefan looked at each other, Elena puts some sassy sarcasm into her voice "one up'd them again." Caroline laughed, "Score one for the wives." Elena held up her hand, Caroline vamp sped to high 5 it.

Stefan was questioning Elena, "How do you feel? I added a burst behind Damon's magic, my magic will follow Damon's around until Peanut has absorbed it, then Peanut can get to mine."

Damon interrupted everyone "Breakfast time, where's rest of the house?" as on cue Jeremy walks "smells good, I'm starving" he sits down and starting serving himself. Caroline "Bonnie & Enzo had a doctor's appointment this morning, they left an hour ago. Ric had to get to the armory, there were some issues with one of the contractors, I'm heading there later. I was hoping, I could get a volunteer for niece duty." Damon spoke up, "It's my turn, I promised Lizzie I would show her how to make flower petals fly." Caroline concerned, "Damon, keep the magic to a minimum. They think that it is ok to practice around everyone." Damon shook his head, "Caroline, they know they can't. Anyhow, they can only siphon me when we are outside. Trust me, Uncle D's got this." Caroline looks at Elena who nods with the "I will supervise" approval. Caroline concedes, "Ok, Uncle D." Stefan reminds, "I told Matt, I'd stop by the sheriff's office this morning, a few suspicious reports came over the wire last night, he wants a second opinion on, Jeremy, can you join me, a hunter's viewpoint would be helpful?" Jeremy agrees while still eating, "Sure, I guess vacation is over." Damon adds to the household announcements, "Everyone remembers, Elena and I are leaving for our honeymoon tonight, flight department 9:45 pm. Stefan, you still taking us to the airport?" Stefan smiles, "of course."

With Damon and Elena on their honeymoon, the Salvatore Mansion has been relatively drama-free. Stefan and Enzo spend most nights enjoying a game of pool while drinking a bourbon or two. Ric convinced Jeremy that the Armory School would be a perfect hunter headquarters. Jeremy decided to stay and help get the school up and running, maybe even be a teacher, for vampire hunting, of course. Bonnie and Caroline spent their evenings helping the twins with their powers, siphon witches were hard to train.

By week 2, Caroline had to admit, Uncle D, had been doing a great job, the twins were very protective over their time with him. Each of the girls were careful not to share to much, they each had developed insight on their siphoning abilities from Damon's magical Uncle time. Each of the girls knew how to direct their siphoning, they were careful about using their powers with Bonnie. Josie made sure to ask each time she went to practice siphoning with Auntie BonBon, what her ouchie word was, just so she could remember, since they weren't outside like when they were with Uncle D and he had his socks off, cause if he didn't have his socks off, they had to ask his ouchie word. Somehow, Damon had become a truly healthy influence on her daughters, Caroline and Bonnie talked over lunch how much their opinions of him have changed over the years. Damon Salvatore was going to get a World's Greatest Uncle Mug as a Christmas Gift. They both laughed on how much he was going to hate it.

Jeremy comes down the stairs, Bonnie whistles, "Damn you never dressed up for me that much, you even smell good from here." Caroline looks towards him, "Woww, who's the lucky girl?" Jeremy frowns, "Geezz, you two, I'm not 16 anymore. Yes, I have a date and NO, I'm not telling you who it is or anything about it. Good night." He salutes as he walks through the foyer to the front door. Bonnie and Caroline look at each other as Stefan says "I guess he told you ladies to butt out." Caroline looks at Bonnie, "Nahh, so is there a spell we can do to find out?" Stefan intervenes, "Come on, this is not high school. Jeremy is going to let us know who it is when he wants to and not before. Ladies… Seriously, we are grown adults… be happy he is going out on a Friday night, after all, it is date night."

Enzo comes in, "Speaking of which, I should be taking my ladies out tonight, Bonnie, would you and Gianna, like to go to the Grill for dinner?" Bonnie's tone is uncertain "Gianna Bennett… NAHH.. I don't think soo… Grill sound yummy.. You better get a blood bag before we go." Enzo nods, and heads to the blood cooler.

Caroline reminds Stefan, "Ric has the girls tonight at the Armory. They love it there, they get to siphon the walls and the caves. He loves it too, who knew having siphon witch daughters would prove so helpful in discovering all the hidden caves. He found 3 this week." Stefan goes to her and sits, "I know, I go over and make sure it is safe for him or anyone else to go in after the cave is found. Needless to say, our daughters have kept me busy this week." Caroline lowers her voice, "Well, you don't seem to be busy right now." Stefan leans in, "Actually, I'm about to become very very busy." He just barely touches her lips when his cell phone rings. Caroline frustrated, "You got to be joking!" Stefan looks at the phone, "It's Ric," Caroline concerned it might be about the twins, Stefan answers the call "Ric, what's up?" Ric starts talking, "Stefan, I was hoping that you might have some time to come over the Armory now. I found some artifacts that the girls found magic on. I'm a little concerned about them. The girls didn't siphon them, but they look like the old world, maybe even Gaia old. The concern is they look old dark magic." Stefan answers, "Ok, I'll leave now." Caroline stands up, "I'm coming too. We can bring the girls home. Let's take the SUV." Stefan smiles, Caroline doesn't like taking the Porsche, she hates to make out in sports cars, if the situation ever arises, she always makes sure to protect against the possibility. Stefan grins, "Good idea, Honey."

Stefan and Caroline arrive at the Armory. Ric takes Stefan into the cave where the artifacts were found first. While they are gone, the twins tell Caroline all about the funny looking mask and all the weird stuff that daddy found. Lizzie tells about how it made her want to touch it, but how Uncle D always says if "anything makes your tummy feel like snails are in it and your brain says to do something that you really don't want to, then you have to tell daddy or mommy or zio, but don't do what your brain wants you to do." Caroline had to give it to Uncle D, he really did know how to explain evil in words that the twins could understand. It was a good thing he was on their side. Josie took Caroline's hand and led her over to the table that all the objects were on. Even Caroline could feel the aura that was being given off these artifacts.

The twins stood 3 feet back from the table, Caroline stepped closer, she moved closer, her hand was drawn to the green stone that was laying next to a flat piece of parchment. Caroline didn't touch either of the artifacts, she did hover her hand over both of them. The green stone twinkled when her hand was close to it, when her hand was directly over the stone it glowed bright. She removed it quickly. Caroline looked at the parchment, she wondered if she would have any effect on it, she hovered her hand over the parchment, and the artifacts edges curled up towards her hand. What was this, how could she do this? There are very few supernatural laws, one was you could either be a vampire or a witch, not both. Yes there were heretics, technically, a heretic was a siphon witch who was a vampire, they weren't a witch with their own powers, they siphoned their power from being a vampire. Caroline put her hand over the green rock once more, this time the facets started to show more, it wasn't just a rock, it was a crystal of some sort. Caroline started thinking of all the different types of green crystals, Bonnie had so many Agates, peridot, malachite, aventurine, amazonite, bloodstone, jade, serpentine and jasper, were some of the names that Caroline could remember. Caroline let her hand get closer, hovering just on top, so the crystal glowed so very brightly, she was pretty sure this was an amazonite crystal, the seeing crystal. Bamm, Josie grabbed onto Caroline's legs, "Mommy, don't it's going to hurt you." It was to late, Caroline's hand fell onto the crystal, the glowing orbs entered her hand, she felt the heat sensation travelling up her arm, through her chest, into her heart and lungs, then up her spine and into her brain and out her eyes. Caroline shut her eyes and fell to the ground. Josie screamed, Lizzie yelled, "Daddy .. Zio .. Mommy got eaten by the Monster.."

Ric and Stefan are running toward the girls, they see Caroline on the floor. Ric goes to the girls, and grab them, he tries to calm them down, to find out what happened. Stefan is on the front with Caroline in his arms, "Care, open your eyes, Honey. Come on. You are fine, what happened." He grabs his pocket knife, and slits his palm, he squeezes a few drops of blood into her mouth, hoping that will make a difference. Her skin color is fine, she isn't desiccating. She is simply passed out. Ric looks at Stefan, "What's going on? Is she alive?" Stefan looks at him, "She is a vampire, Ric. She isn't staked through the heart." Stefan doesn't want to say anything in front of the girls that would upset them. Not to mention everything that he wants to say to Ric would come out sounding like Damon, like 'Duh, Ric, yes, she is dead, she is a vampire, she isn't breathing, because she doesn't have to. She doesn't have a heartbeat, because her heart doesn't beat normally unless she is moving, and yes, she is normally dead.' Instead, Stefan lifts Caroline into his arms, "Girls, Mommy is taking a nap. She was working very hard today. She got super tired, I'm going to take her to lay down in the other room, ok?" The twins nod, while holding onto Ric's neck, knowing that the green rock killed their mommy.

In the office, Stefan lays Caroline down on the sofa. He opens one of her eyelids, her iris is glowing between blue and turquoise green in color, he immediately opens the other lid and sees that the other iris is doing the same. He notices a flash of light coming from her chest, he opens her shirt and watches a small orb streaking back and forth across her abdomen. Stefan rubs his hands together, he creates fireballs that hover around them, he lays his hands on Caroline and tries to pull the orb of light out of her. It stubbornly will not follow his magic, the orb continues to outline her abdomen as if it were searching for something. Stefan watches as the orb slows, the glowing light brightens as it's pace crawls to a stop right above her heart, then it just disappears.

Caroline's chest heaves upward, she takes a deep breath, her eyes open, Stefan cries out, "Care, say something!" She tries to focus, her eyesight is blurring, she blinks faster trying to clear whatever is clouding it. As her sight starts to get into focus, she starts to look around, the first thing that she sees is Stefan above her. The look in his eye says everything, he is scared, she says "What happen?". The relief washed over him as soon as his ears heard the first sound come out of her mouth, Stefan answered, "I don't know, the girls said you just went down. What is the last thing you remember?" Caroline brought her hand up to her heart, she could feel a warmth coming from inside her body, it was a new sensation. She looked at Stefan again, she saw him with light around him, a glow, he was surrounded by rings of deep brilliant shades of violet, green and blues, he looked like he was floating in a masculine rainbow. Caroline sat up at vamp speed, she looked around for where the lights were coming from that shined on Stefan, when she found nothing, she closed her eyes and rubbed them with the back of her hands. She took a deep breath, she slowly opened her eyes, "No .. NO…No" Caroline stands up slowly, she starts remembering what happened, the amazonite crystal, the seeing stone, she touched it, Josie touched her, then she touched the stone. Caroline mouth fell wide open "Oh crap." She looked at Stefan with halos of color encircling his body, she thought those had to be auras. She heard Bonnie talk about them enough. Stefan just looked at her, as she studied the room, her eyes focused on object after object, she could tell each artifact that was magical and the ones that weren't, she could see magic. Her hands flew up to her mouth, "OMG, I've got to check on Josie." Caroline speeds out of the room.

As she enters the great hall of the Armory, Caroline is overwhelmed, her senses on are on overdrive, her eyes can't focus. All of a sudden she feels little hands wrapped around her legs, she instinctually knows that her daughter Lizzie has found her. Lizzie cries "Mommy, we thought the monster ate you." Caroline laughs trying to comfort her scared little one, "You are so silly, you know that your Mommy is tougher than any Monster." Josie runs over as soon as she hears Caroline, "I'm sorry Mommy, I didn't mean to bump you." Caroline picks up Josie, there are pastel colors with deep shades of red twinkling around her, "My baby, I know that, I'm fine. You didn't do anything wrong." She puts Josie down and watches the shades of red fade as her daughter becomes happy that her mother is not upset and confident that everything is safe. Caroline tells her daughters, "Now you two go find, Daddy, tell to come here, so we can show him a trick."

The twins run off, just as Caroline turns to see Stefan watching everything from the doorway, "Are you going to tell me what is going on?" He walks towards her, "My vampire wife completely passes out for 5 minutes. When she comes to, she mutters the words No, No, No, Oh crap, OMG and then vamps off. And expects me, a 164 year old ex-vampire not to notice that she is blinking her eye over 10 times a minute, something vampires don't really need to do, but have to concentrate on doing to pretend to be human." He wraps his arms around her waist, "So give, what the hell just happened?"

Caroline put her arms around his neck, leans up and touches her lips to his, "As soon as Ric gives me a few answers, I think I have figured most of it out." Caroline smiles as she sees Ric from the corner of her eye, she turns her head a bit more so that his body is in her full view. She lets go of Stefan, and walks to meet Ric. He stops in front of her, he looks at her strangely, she is studying him. Ric squints his eyes at her, "Care, what is your problem, do I have horns growing out of my head?" Caroline pokes at his shoulder, then she walks around his body, "Interesting, not one color. I would have thought since you were a vampire and a supernatural hunter there would have some sort of mystical residue. You, my friend, nothing but human." Caroline laughed as she walked over to the table with the artifacts, "Ric can you tell me anything about this amazonite crystal. I touched before I passed out. I think I know what is going on." Stefan heard what Caroline was saying, "You touched it?" Caroline answered, "It was an accident. I'll tell you more later."

Ric walks over to the table, "That relic was found in the latest cave, most of the objects have been ancient Greek in origin, early 1st century BC or earlier. Most items have been 'naturalistic' in magical classifications not much actual mystical power. Why do you ask?" Caroline grabs the amazonite crystal from the table, she knows it is hers now, "Well, this little baby packed a wallop." All of a sudden she sees flashes of ancient Greece, men and women walking the streets in tunics and cloaks. Caroline somehow knew the proper names of these ancient garments called chitons and peplos. The scenes continued into a specific house, a man turns, she notices how much the man favors Damon in looks, in a whisper the name, "Demetrius" escapes her lips, she listens to the conversation that is happening.

In the room there are 8 people, all dressed in brightly color garments, sitting in a circle of chairs, as Demetrius is standing, pacing to be exact, and addressing them. Demetrius' voice demands "It is not an option, reuniting the magics, will return Qetsiyah's power. We know she is stronger period, she is the high priestess of the Blood magic. Without Silas, Nature's magic has no power. We cannot release him. He will destroy us. Nature's magic, Elemental magic cannot be housed in one vessel, it requires a partner. We know that Silas will not give my magic back to me. He is power starved. We must wait for the next destine brothers to be born, they will bring Nature's magic back and restore the balance. That is our only option. We wait." Demetrius holds up the Amazonite Crystal for everyone to see. All the others in the room stare at the crystal for a moment, and then the voices begin. The scene fades from Caroline's vision.

She looks down at the crystal. Stefan is at her side, "Care, what is going on?" She looks up at him, "I think I just entered the Brothers Nature's Magical destiny." She holds up the crystal in her hand.