:Bruised:


Summary: Bonnie was more broken than she led on, but whether she voiced it or not, Stefan was always there for her. She felt safe as long as he was around, but when an issue arrived in their relationship, she has to wonder how things would be without him.

(Written July 2015)


Stefan places his bag down by the door and walks over to his girlfriend who is laying down on the bed. She smiles as he hovers above her then meets their lips then kisses her cheek laying beside her.

"You're going to marry me one day."

"I don't believe in marriage, Stefan."

"But you love me?"

"I love you very much."

"And you want to have kids? With me?"

"Maybe three. Yes."

"Then why not say yes to my proposal?"

"Because I love you and I want to have kids with you. Marriage, I don't know, it messes things up."

He lets out a breath. "Well can you at least wear the ring I bought? Think of it as a promise ring or whatever. I hate it when people think you're single."

She smiles. "Okay."

He kisses her then reached over to the nightstand and pulls out the ring box pulling out the diamond ring. He turns to her, takes her hand and slides it down her finger. Bonnie smiles down at it then meets his eyes.

"Let's have babies. I want to be a father."

A smile comes to her face. "Okay."

\_\_\_

Stefan smiles down at his little girl then kisses her head before sitting her in her stroller. Bonnie smiles as he wraps an arm around her waist and they start on their walk. Their daughter gets smiles from practically everyone they pass.

"Our daughter is famous."

"That's because she's so cute and fashionable."

Stefan chuckles. "When are we having baby number two, baby?"

"When Aria is at least one years old?"

"That long?"

"A year isn't long, it'll fly by before you know it and plus we should spend a lot of time with her as we can before the second one so she knows that we love her very, very much."

Stefan stops pushing then walks to the front of the stroller, unbuckling her before taking her in his arms. Bonnie knew that it wouldn't be long before he did so, he always does it.

"You look so sexy, daddy." She whispered in his ear.

Stefan looked her up and down. "Think about how sexier I would look with two." He leaned down and kissed her tasting her tongue.

"Mm," she sounded as he pulled away. "It's a good thing I didn't sign a contract."

He smiles then leans down again kissing her rougher pressing her back against the wall with his body. Aria starts to whine causing the parents to reluctantly pull away but kiss quickly once.

"You have plans for tonight?" He asks still close to her body.

"Unfortunately." He growls. "But even if I didn't, something tells me that we wouldn't have gotten very far without Ari crying."

He raises his eyebrows realizing the truth in that statement. "Where are you going?"

"I have a work party tonight. My boss is retiring."

"You want me to come?"

"I do but I don't. I want you to watch our baby because I'm scared of someone else doing it. I only trust you with her alone right now."

"Alright." He kissed her. "Let's get some lunch."

She nodded then they started back on their walk.


Bonnie grunted pulling a dress over her head for the fifth time. Stefan didn't approve her choices so far, they were either "too revealing" or "too short". She let out a breath looking through her clothes then smiled finding the perfect dress, or so she hoped.

"Stefan, you have to like this one."

"I have to?"

"Yes, or else I'm going to be late." She stepped out of the closet in an all black, loose-fitting, long sleeved dress.

"Turn around." He asked her and once she did, he frowned. "Babe,"

"Stef, come on, it's just a little back." She walked over to him sitting on his lap like she would the back of a horse. "I'll be on my best behavior."

"I know you will, but I can't vouch for the men there."

"Caroline will be there with me, we'll stick together and I'll only be beside her, I promise. I love you, only you. We have a baby together, Stefan. I won't mess that up or let a stupid guy mess that up, okay?" Her hands moved to the side of his face, "I promise." She leaned in and kissed him lingering their lips together.

Stefan moved his hand to her face then slowly pulled away. "Alright."

She nodded then kissed him once more. "I should go," she walked over to the crib grabbing Aria from her crib kissing her over and over as she handed her to Stefan. "Mommy loves you, I'll see you later tonight." She kissed her again before walking out.

Stefan sighed watching her walk away.


Bonnie looked around for her blonde friend but was nowhere in sight.

She called her but was then informed that she decided to not go because her stomach was hurting. She wished that she had told her earlier then maybe it would've made her change her mind in coming herself.

"Hey, Bon."

"Chase."

He smiled. "It's like that, huh?"

"It's not like anything, I was simply greeting you back."

"Things didn't go well with what's-his-face?"

She gave him her attention, "What are you talking about?"

"I thought he gave you a ring? The funny thing is that I gave you a ring as well but you turned me down."

Bonnie looked down at her finger then cursed realizing that she left it on the bathroom sink.

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

"I'm not hiding anything, I just forgot to put it on. And don't act like you proposing was the only reason I turned you down. You're a pig."

"I thought you liked it dirty."

"Fuck off."

She walked away but his hand wrapped around her arm and pulled her back into him causing their lips to meet. She pushed him off and would've thrown her drink in his face if this wasn't a professional event.

"Literally fuck you."

"Meet me in my office in ten and maybe I'll let you."

He bumped their shoulders walking away. Tears filled her eyes then she decided to leave right then. She couldn't take the disrespect anymore, she's put up with that enough in her life and a good deal of it came from him. He was the most stuck-up, selfish boyfriend that she's ever dated and she has no idea why she stayed with him for as long as she did.

Stefan laid his daughter down in her crib then walked over to Bonnie was she walked in their room. "Hey, what happened?"

"Nothing," she said avoiding his eyes holding back her tears.

Stefan balled his fists. "Was it Chase?"

"No,"

"Babe-"

"I don't want you to get involved, Stefan, I'm fine, I just need to shower."

"What did he do? Did he hit you again? I swear I will kick his fucking ass if—" he stopped then closed his eyes briefly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell or bring it up, I'm sorry." He pulled her in close hugging her. "I'm so sorry."

Tears started to leave her eyes so he lifted her in his arms carrying her over to their bed. He sat her on his lap and kissed her head.

"You're quitting that job. I don't want you working there anymore."

"I can't quit. I'm getting so close to the top."

"Baby, I can't stand to see you like this anymore. You're shaking and I know a part of that is my fault, but I swear I will–" he lets out a breath, "If you want to stay then fine, but I'm dropping you off, I'm picking you up, I'm visiting you, I'm calling you every single day, every single hour. I can't stand the fact that he's there but I understand and I respect your decision, but I'm here now. I'm not holding back, not anymore."

"Okay."

"Alright,"

He kissed her before holding her tighter. After her shower, she joined him on the bed snuggling close to his chest as his arms wrapped around her. She's never felt as safe as she does in his arms and she's so glad that he still loves her because she knew that she wouldn't find this anywhere else.


Stefan held her hand in his left and their daughter in his right as they walked inside. If he needed to start acting like a protective husband to keep his wife safe and comfortable then that's what he's going to do. He didn't care how it looked or seemed, because all that mattered right now was Bonnie.

"We'll come by for lunch. Are you hungry for anything particular?"

She thought. "A chicken sandwich should be fine."

"Alright." He kissed her. "Hold our girl, I'm going to use the bathroom real quick."

Bonnie nodded then took their daughter in her hands and watched him walk out.

Stefan cracked his knuckles then his neck looking in office after office until he stopped and walked in closing the door behind him. Chase stood up and backed away some but Stefan grabbed him by the collar of his shirt pushing him back against the window.

"You touch her, lay a single hand on her, look at her the wrong way, one wrong move and I will throw you out of this window. If she ever comes home crying or shaking again because of you, I will hunt you down and I promise you that I will kill you." He pushed him back and walked out closing the door.

He made his way back to her office but before he entered he lets out a breath then walks in. "Alright, babe, we should go."

"I'll see you during lunch?"

"Yes, I promise. If he does anything to you, I don't care what it is, tell me, alright?" She nodded then he kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you too."

They kissed again. "Call me if you need anything, I'll probably stop by at Damon's later then I'll come back here for lunch. Will it be okay if I drop Ari off at my mom's so we could have some alone time?"

Bonnie looks down at their baby in her hands then frowns. "Okay," she brought her lips to her forehead lingering a kiss there. "Mommy loves you very much. I don't want anything bad to happen to you, but you'll be OK with grandma, right?" She smiled as Aria gave her some reassurance by making some noises. "I wish you could stay here with me." She said closing her eyes meeting their foreheads.

Stefan walked over to her getting down on his knee kissing her cheek as his hand ran down her hair.

"Bonnie we need you in a— Oh, I'm sorry."

She looked over and saw her assistant, Mayson. "It's alright, tell them I'll be right there." She nodded then walked away. "Kiss me,"

He did several times then pulled slowly away from her lips scooping Aria out of her hands. He walked her to the meeting room before he kissed her once more then he made his way to the elevator.


Damon smiled down at his niece. He hasn't seen her since she was born which was close to three months ago. "So what did I miss?" He asked looking up at his brother laying down on the couch in front of him.

"Nothing really," Stefan said with his eyes closed. "We've just been…adjusting."

"And how's that working out?"

"Pretty good. Aria's great, she doesn't cry much or whine. Bonnie's pretty attached to her so it's been a little difficult trying to take her out on dates and stuff like we used to, I don't want a lot of things to change about our relationship you know. She only really trust me watching her so I'm slowly trying to get her out of that."

"How so?"

"Like today, for example, I'm meeting her for lunch and I'm going to leave Ari at mom's place and once Bonnie sees that she's fine, maybe she'll trust mom a little more then I'll do that with others."

"Are you sure going over mom's is a good idea? She's not really Bonnie's biggest fan."

"Well it's not like I'm asking her to babysit Bonnie, it'll just be for an hour tops and I'm sure mom would want to see her." Or at least he hoped.

"Yeah," Damon said through a breath lifting his niece into the air smiling at her. "I would just expect a little talk. Don't expect to be in and out, that's not how mother operates."

"Maybe I should leave her here with you then?"

"I can't today, I have a date."

"Date?" He opened his eyes and sat up. "Since when do you go on dates?"

"Since the girl I was supposed to f-" he looked down at his niece then back at his brother, "sleep with, had to rush out after she got some call. We made plans and she's hot so I'll go along with it."

"So once you get what you want, then what?"

He looked at his brother like he was stupid. "Then it's bye-bye… Mayson."

"Wait. Mayson? Brown hair, green eyes, tan skin?"

"Yes…" He watched his baby bro chuckle shaking his head. "What? You know her?"

"If it's who I think it is and I'm pretty sure it is since there's not a lot of females with that name, then you're about to go on a date with Bonnie's assistant."

He cursed under his breath. "Great. You cannot tell Bonnie about this."

"Why?"

"Bonnie will screw this up for me and we both know it." Stefan shrugged then sat back. "I'm serious, Stef."

"I think we should go. I have no idea how long mom's going to talk and I have to make lunch."

"You're making the lunch?"

"Please, I'm going to hear enough of that at mom's house." He grabbed his daughter in his arms.

The brothers said their goodbyes and after making sure his girl was safely strapped in, he drove to his mother's house. He sighed just thinking about it, but he would sit through whatever she would say if that meant he got to spend some alone time with Bonnie. He feels like it's been years and he needed his Bonnie fix.

Pulling up to the house, Stefan got his little girl from the back kissing her as he walked up the path getting his love in before he had to bolt out of there.

He smiled at how much she resembled Bonnie right now as he waited for the door to open. Some days Aria would look like himself, others she would look like Bonnie and on a few occasions, she looked like the both of them. He wanted to see what face she'd stick with once she's older, but he could wait for that. He wanted to enjoy her just like this for as long as he could.

Stefan looked up once he heard the knob twist and smiled at his mother as she opened the door.

"What a surprise, come in."

Stefan stepped inside, "I was meaning to call but it slipped my mind." He kissed his mother on the cheek then walked into the living room.

"So what's up?" She asked once they were both seated.

"I was wondering if you could babysit Ari for about an hour."

"Sure, what do you need to do?"

"Well, I told Bonnie that I'd have lunch with her at work and I kind of just want it to be us two. Just for this afternoon."

She sighed. "Fine."

He raised an eyebrow. "That's it? You're not going to say anything else?"

"Well, what do you want me to say, Stefan? That instead of you going to see her at work, it should be the other way around? That she should've been the one to stay home and care for the baby and not you?"

She hated that her son resigned so he could stay home with the baby when Bonnie should've been the one to do so in her eyes. She hated how her son is spending his life with a woman who doesn't even want to get married when she knew that getting married was his dream.

He was a romantic in that way and she shook her head when she found out that he was still going to stay with her and have kids. He wanted to be a father, she knew, but she hoped that he would've been married before he was one.

"I know how this might be…strange for you, but I'm doing this because I love her. I love her, mom, she's my wife."

"But she's not."

"She is to me. Paper or not, wedding or not. She's wearing the ring, we've been together for eight years, we live under one roof with our baby girl, we fight, we make up, we know almost everything there is to know about each other. We talk, we stay silent, we ignore each other, I say 'I'm sorry', she does the same, we make each other laugh. We're married. I don't care what anybody says, including Bonnie we're married. And she's the best thing that has ever happened to me so I figured that I can make a little sacrifice. It's the least I could do for how she makes me feel, it's the least I could do for our daughter who without Bonnie wouldn't even be here. I'm sorry you don't fully understand, but that's it. I love you, mom and I always will no matter what, but that's just the way it is."

She watched him stand and she closed her eyes briefly as he kissed her head before walking out. She stood and watched him pull away as she stood on the porch and went back inside once he was no longer in view.


Bonnie looked up and let out a breath smiling seeing him walk in. She stood and hugged him tightly. His eyes closed hugging her back moving his hand down her body.

"Hey!" Bonnie pulled away as he squeezed her ass.

He chuckled then kissed her moving his hand to her lower back. "I missed you." He rubbed their noses together.

She smiled. "I missed you too."

They kissed again and he turned to close the door then locked it. He walked over to her pulling her up from her chair then pulled her back down on his lap. Bonnie smiled then kissed him again then met their foreheads.

"You're so beautiful. My wife is so, so beautiful. I could look at you all day."

She smiled then moved her hand to the side of his face. "Your wife, huh?"

"My wife. You."

She looked into his green eyes as he looked into hers then nodded, "Me."

He smiled then met their lips kissing her over and over before he pulled away then kissed her cheek. "Let's get you fed."

She watched him reach in the bag and only pull out one sandwich. "You're not hungry?" She asked looking at his face.

"I ate on the way here. I want to focus only on you right now." He ran his finger down her lips.

"I fall more and more in love with you by the second." She met their lips in a chaste kiss.

He kissed her back then reached over grabbing one of the sandwich slices he cut up and fed it to her. "Busy day?"

She shook her head. "Not really. I was mainly in that meeting all morning."

"What was it about?"

"Something you wouldn't understand."

"Oh is that right?"

"Yeah, cause you're a dummy." They smiled at each other and he shook his head then fed her another slice. "How are things with Damon?"

He chuckled. "Well. Let's see for starters he's going out with Mayson."

"My assistant?" He nodded. "I have to warn her,"

"Hey, no let it be. You never know, maybe she's the one for him. Mayson doesn't seem like one to mess around so who knows."

She sighs. "I guess you're right. I mean she's a grown woman I don't need to intervene."

"Exactly." He kissed her. "There's my girl." Bonnie rolled her eyes bringing a smile to his face. "So, babe, I was thinking that we go out on a little date."

"When?"

"Tomorrow night. It's been a while and I don't want a lot of our relationship to change. I know Aria is and always will be a major part of our lives, but I want everything else to keep flowing like it used to. I think that's why a lot of marriages fail. Things change and sometimes people can't adjust."

She nodded, "Yeah. Okay. I don't want us to break up. I'm not saying that I can't adjust but that's why I don't like marriage. It can get messy and I know that I am your wife, I do, but—"

"I'm just not your husband."

"No, that's not it." She shook her head and cupped his face in her hands, "I look at you in that way, I may not admit to you anymore, but you are my husband, Stefan. You're my husband, but it's just so hard for me sometimes and I get scared and worried that one day you won't be there anymore."

"Hey, listen to me." He grabbed her face looking deeply into her eyes. "I will. Always. Be there for you. Always. I love you. So, so much. I will never leave your side unless you're the one who wants me gone. I'm here to stay, I will fight for you, I will love you like no one else ever had or ever will. I am your husband, it's my job, it's my responsibility and I will live up to it. I promise you that."

"Sometimes I feel like you're too good for me."

"Come here," she rested her head on his chest bringing her knees up to her chest as his arms wrapped around her. "I remember when I first saw you. You were standing there running your fingers through your hair but then your hand stopped just as it was reaching the end and I smiled as you were practically yanking it down." She chuckled. "You looked around once you got the knot out and I just looked down pretending that I didn't see then I look back up at you, a smile still on my face, and I just look at you. My smile fades a little and I just stare at you, gawk. I couldn't believe my eyes and I would've walked up to you if you didn't have me under a spell. We were lucky enough to meet just four days later at a party and I was almost going to not approach you, but I'm so glad that I did. You thought I was a loser but I got you anyway."

She smiled. "I never thought you were a loser. A little weird, yes but not a loser." He chuckled and she smiles widely up at him closing her eyes as he kisses her head. "You never told me that before."

"Yeah, it was something I was just keeping to myself. But since I told you now, I think you know every memory of mine."

"Same here. It's crazy how you know the most about me, even more than my parents. You're so easy to talk to it's not hard for me to open up to you."

"Babe?"

"Yeah?"

"There's just one more thing that you should know and I'm not sure how you're going to take it."

She sat up and looked at him through narrowed eyes. "What?"

He lets out a breath then looks at her. "Earlier today when I was dropping you off and I said that I had to use the bathroom… I didn't go to the bathroom."

"Then where did you— you didn't." She put the pieces together.

"I did and I'm not sorry about it."

"What did you say?"

"I kind of threatened him a little. He's a tough man, he can handle it, but I had to do it."

She lets out a breath. "I understand."

He kisses her then feeds her several slices when he realized that he hasn't in a while. Bonnie laughs with a mouth full of sandwich slices and chews as best she could. Stefan chuckles and smiles widely watching her and handed her some water once she swallowed.

"Thanks for that, babe."

"Anytime."

She slightly rolls her eyes but then smiles and gets up pulling her skirt up her thighs some before straddling his lap.

"Babe…"

"Stefan,"

"Why?" He then groans moving his hands up her skirt.

"Because you annoy me." Her lips travel up his neck then opens her mouth to his lips. He kisses her back rougher pulling her body in as her fingers race through his hair. She grinds on him and once his hands move to the hem of her shirt, she pulls away and steps back. "I think my lunch break is over. Bye, Stef."

"Oh hell no." He stands and takes her in his arms moving his lips to her neck. "I want you."

She moans biting down on her lip. "We'll get caught."

"We'll just have to be quiet." He lifts her legs around his waist and backs her against the wall.

"Hard and slow," she tells him as he pulls her panties down her legs.

"Yes, ma'am."

Her skirt is up to her waist in the next second and he lefts her leg on his shoulder and she opens her mouth as he enters her. Breathless breaths seem to pass her lips as he takes her as commanded. Her eyes are closed and her head is back until he pulls it down and meets their lips. She kisses him back as best she could but she needed all the air she could get.

\_\_\_\_\_

Stefan holds her ass in his hand as they kiss goodbye. She walked him out after their moment in her office and they couldn't seem to keep their hands off each other. As she was walking him out, they were touching. Stefan kept his hand on her lower back and would wrap the other around her keeping her close and Bonnie's hand would be covering his abs over his shirt. In the elevator, she stood in front of him pressing her back against his front with her arm reaching behind his neck as he kissed her neck.

"Just a little longer." She said the second he pulled away and moved his hand back where it was and stood on her toes getting closer circling her arms around his neck.

"Tonight," he spoke against her lips then kissed her, "when our baby girl's asleep, I'll kiss you all over."

"Please."

He hums his assurance then kisses her again. "I don't want to leave you, but I should go."

She frowns then kisses him. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you." He kissed the shell of her ear.

"I'll see you when I get off,"

"Of course. I'll meet you in the office and we'll walk out together."

She nodded. "I love you."

"I love you more."

They kissed again then Stefan slowly lifted his hands from her body as she did the same. Bonnie frowned watching him pull off but turned walking back inside after he honked his horn twice quickly. She wishes that she asked him to walk her inside but that would've lead to nothing but more inappropriate office behavior and a higher chance of them getting caught.

"Why are you walking so fun—" Caroline's eyes grew wide. "You dirty little-"

"Shh," Bonnie grabbed her arm walking her into her office since it was closer. "We just had a little…moment."

She shook her head. "I'd say it was more than little."

"Is it really that noticeable?"

"I mean if you walk slowly you should be fine. But then again I've known you for years so I know how you more while these goons probably wouldn't even notice."

Bonnie sat down on the chair in front of her desk. "How's your stomach?"

"Eh, I think I may be pregnant which sucks ass."

"Why? Children are a blessing."

"You say that now, but once they get older, you'll be singing a different tune."

"Did you tell Klaus?"

"No, I don't want to get his hopes up, you know. I'll take a test later so I can be sure."

Bonnie nodded knowing that was the best way to go. "So how was your lunch?"

She chuckled. "Well, unlike someone, I actually had a meal." Bonnie rolled her eyes. "It was with Chase, actually."

"Oh. Why him?" Bonnie never told Caroline the full reason as to why she broke things off. She was good at hiding her scars and bruises and when the day came that she finally built up enough courage to leave him, she told Caroline that it was because she didn't see herself marrying him, that he was nothing like she had thought, which is the truth, but just not the whole truth.

"We're working together on a case. I tried to switch partners but–"

"That's fine. I should go."

Caroline frowned then stood up as her friend did so, "Bonnie what happened between you two? The second I mention him, you always walk away, what are you not telling me?"

"We'll have dinner on Wednesday and I'll tell you. I should go."

She walked away quickly then locked herself in her office as soon as she stepped in. Her shaking hands almost made it impossible and she didn't know how she achieved dialing his number but she did.

"Stefan," she spoke his name as soon as he answered.

"I'm coming to get you." He could tell that something was wrong by her voice.

"No. I don't— I just need to hear your voice."

"Baby, what happened?"

"Caroline is working with him and once she told me I guess I left pretty quickly then she asked what happened between us and— I don't want to be here anymore." A tear fell from her eye.

"I'm already on my way. No more than five minutes, I promise."

She nodded and they stayed on the phone and sometimes Stefan would talk but Bonnie stayed silent. When he announced that he was outside, they hung up and it took no longer than a minute until she heard his knock on the door.

"It's me, baby."

She stood slowly and walked over to the door unlocking it and once he stepped inside, he closed the door then locked it again. He sat the car seat down and hugged her tightly running his hands down her hair calming her.

He kissed the top of her head and held her even tighter. "Have you ever considered going to therapy? It'll help you and I could stay with you if you want. I hate seeing you like this, Bonnie, it breaks my heart. I love you and I just want you to be free of him."

"I thought I could deal with it myself, but obviously I can't." She sniffed in. "I need you."

"And I'll be there for you, okay? We'll do this together, you and me. I promise."

She nodded against his chest and he moved his hand up and down her back. Aria started shifting in her seat catching Bonnie's attention. She was still asleep so Bonnie carefully lifted her from her seat and kissed her forehead longingly. Stefan logged her out of her computer and locked her cabinets before they left.


Aria was in the middle of her parents as they laid together on their bed. Bonnie was asleep but was shifting a little so he reached his arm out touching her back rubbing it a few then she stilled. He smiled then slowly removed his hand bringing it to his daughter.

She was fast asleep as well and he gently rubbed her stomach before kissing her small head. She must have had quite the exciting hour with his mom because he's never seen her sleep for this long. He was tired himself but he knew that just as soon as he gets comfortable, one of his girls would wake and he wants to be up when they do.

Speaking of, his baby girl started to stir then soon he met her eyes. They were as green as Bonnie's and he lifted her as he sat up. "Hey, baby girl. Daddy missed you today." He kissed her head then smiled when she did. "You're daddy's little girl. I love you. You make daddy so, so, so happy." He rubbed their noses together gaining a wide smile from her and he kissed her little lips.

Bonnie smiled watching the two. Her heart was so warm whenever she would see them interact and she would catch herself wishing that she was just as good a mother as Stefan is a father. She sat up gaining Stefan's attention and he leaned in to kiss her.

"Good sleep?"

"Yeah, I needed it."

He nodded then handed their daughter over to her. Bonnie held her close then got ready to feed her once she started to cry.

"You look so beautiful, babe." He kissed her lips once Aria latched on.

"Thanks, babe. You're so sweet."

He kissed her again then got up to get the burping blanket hanging from her crib. Stefan smiled at her then kissed her cheek. "So when you called me and told me that you didn't want to be there, did you mean just for today?"

She sighs, "I don't know. I mean I think I should take a few weeks off just to see how I feel about everything, you know?"

"Yeah,"

"Maybe I should…transfer companies. I mean I'll miss Caroline and Mayson but, I don't know, I feel like if I do that I'm letting him win, you know? I don't want him to win."

Stefan frowned then reached out his hand rubbing her back some. "He's not going to win, Bonnie. You stay, you climb your way to the top, you leave, you climb your way to the top, no matter what you choose, he's going to lose because you have us. He doesn't have a support system in his corner like you do, he doesn't get the luxury to come home to people who love him deeply like you do. You will win, you will always win."

"Thanks, Stefan."

"Hey," he turned her face and wiped her tears away before kissing her. "I love you. We're in this together, always."

She nods. "I love you too."

They kiss again and Stefan meets their foreheads.


Bonnie smiled as he twirled her around then pulled her against his chest. They swayed to the beat with smiles on their faces looking into each other's eyes. Aria was down for a nap so Stefan decided that they have a little dance.

It was Bonnie's second week off from her leave, and Stefan wished that their days were always like this. He's noticed that Aria's been much happier and Bonnie as well. A smile would always be on her face no matter how faint it was. She was happy, his girl– his wife was happy and that's all he's truly ever wanted.

Bonnie rested her head on his chest to get even closer to him. His arms wrapped around her body keeping one high in her back and the other low. She let out a breath through her nose closing her eyes realizing how good she's got it. Stefan was right; she wins, no matter what, she will win and always win.

"My husband is so good to me."

Stefan's heart picked up. "That's because I love you."

"Never stop loving me."

"I promise you I won't."

She lifted her head from his chest and kissed him softly. "I… I want to marry you."

He moved back some to look at her better. "What?"

"I want to marry you. Walk down the aisle straight to you, say vows before our family and friends and most importantly Aria. I want to marry you."

"I want to marry you too."

She smiled then closed her eyes when he met their lips wrapping her arms around his neck once his tongue was in her mouth. She walked backward as he walked forward until they were lying down with him above her.

"I cannot wait," he started against her lips, "to see you in a wedding dress. You're going to put me to tears."

She smiled. "Next week?"

"Next week."

They kissed again then pulled away as Aria woke up.