Dear diary,

Dad— I mean Stefan, left like I said he would. A part of me wanted to stop him but he needed to leave. Not because I hate him but just because I need to not see his face for a while. He was the person that I knew I could always trust no matter what but this secret that he's been keeping from me broke me. I wasn't even thinking about Bonnie, my anger only was on Stefan and maybe it is because he's like a father to me and I was such a huge daddy's girl and I loved him so much. It sucks. It all sucks. I feel bad because ever since he left, Bonnie's been quiet. She doesn't talk to me or anyone all she does is cry and cook dinner. I guess I could try to make her feel better, but she doesn't want to talk to me. I made her lose the love of her life but I know he won't stay gone so it doesn't matter that much. Anyway. I wonder if he'll call me.

She jumped hearing the bell ring. She missed another lesson thanks to her horrible life clogging her brain. It was hard to focus or write or read or do much of anything because of the events that happened a couple of days ago. Her friends were hesitant about bringing it up but she knew that they had questions but she wasn't up for answering them. She wasn't even sure if she could answer them. Everything happened so fast and the next thing she knew she was watching Stefan hug her mother goodbye.

"How was class?" Natalie asked as they walked together.

"I wasn't paying much attention. I stayed up pretty late last night, I'm pretty tired."

She only nodded and they walked to their next class in silence.

No matter how hard she tried she could stop her voice from sounding sarcastic. It was hard to pretend that everything was peachy so when clients would ask for her opinion she wasn't able to give them her high-pitched voice and explain how great they looked. Instead, it was all monotoned. It caused a few customers to leave and others give her a look. She's surprised that she wasn't asked to fight yet.

"Bonnie, what is the matter with you? You've been losing sales since Tuesday, what happened?" Tracey put her hand in her hip.

She shook her head wanting to stop the tears but ran to the back once a few slipped. She cursed following after her then let out a breath as she held her close. "Stefan left."

She was speechless for a second. "What?"

"Jasmine found out about the deal and she got so angry with Stefan and forced him out of the house. I tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen and now I'm all alone."

Tracey rubbed her back hugging her closer. "Bonnie, I am so sorry."

"You were right. I should've told her sooner."

"Hey, this is not your fault. How did she find out anyway?"

"The bitch came knocking on my door asking for Jasmine back. She wasn't even gentle with the truth she just told her abruptly expecting for Jas to run right into her filthy arms."

Tracey shook her head. "Have you talked to Jasmine about it?"

"Not yet. I'm just trying to get myself together but that's not all that possible now because I cry every time it comes up. It's so hard and I want to be strong, I do, but I can't. I need Stefan. He's the only man I've ever loved."

"And he's the only man that Jasmine has ever loved too. Stefan leaving is her finding out that he's not her biological father. That stings but we all display our emotions differently. I bet she is hurting so much, Bonnie. You need to talk to her even if it's at your weakest point."

She nodded sucking in her tears and mentally made a note to talk to her tonight.

Stefan forced a smile listening to his parents talk back and forth about a story that they had two different versions of. He would normally find this highly entertaining; them both cutting each other off, the eye rolls then ultimately ignoring one another and talking over each other. They were paying no attention to him anyway so his smile faded and his thoughts transcended to his family. His daughter, his future wife. He wondered how they were doing and hoped that since they had each other they would be fine. He's been too afraid to talk to Bonnie because he knew that she could break him and he didn't want to go back home yet. His little girl needed space and he wanted to provide that to her.

Bonnie watched her as they are together in the kitchen. She opened her mouth but closed it several times now not sure how she should start the conversation.

"How was school?" She decided to start with.

"Fine."

"You can talk to me, Jasmine. I can't say that I can relate to you, but I'll listen and I'll try to understand."

"It's just… I thought I could depend on him for anything including the truth but he broke that. I feel betrayed like all I have ever known was a lie."

"I get that."

"He was my dad and that got snatched away from me."

"He still is your dad. Sure, DNA will say otherwise, but in your heart and in his heart, he's your dad. He raised you and helped you walk. He was the one you'd cling to when you got scared or hurt. He was the one you'd run to if you had good news and the second he stepped through the door. He's your father, Jasmine."

"I guess I just need time." She played with her food.

Bonnie nodded. "Is there anything-"

"Has he talked about me?" She watched her mother's eyes narrow then sighed regretting bringing it up. "Never mind,"

"No, Jasmine, of course, he talks about you."

"He hasn't called."

"He's giving you space. He doesn't want to rush it because he's scared he'll lose you forever. Do you want to talk to him?"

"I don't know. Sometimes, I guess."

"Do you want me to tell him?"

"No, I want to see how long he takes. Please don't tell."

"I won't, I promise."

Jasmine nodded then cleaned off her dish before going upstairs. Bonnie sighed then cleaned up as well then headed upstairs to shower. She tied her robe around her body then sat on the bed calling him. She smiled hearing his voice.

"Hey, baby,"

"Hey, how's everything?"

"Everything sucks, Bonnie. I want to be with my girls again. I was thinking about calling Jas this weekend and maybe we could meet somewhere, I don't know."

"I think that's a great idea. I can tell she misses you."

He exhaled through his nose. "I miss her too. Can you let her know that I miss her?"

"I will, I promise."

He sighed. "Maybe I should just- I mean I know it's a school night but you think she'll answer my call?"

"I think so,"

"Okay, I'll um-"

"I'll talk to you tomorrow,"

"Okay, babe. I love you so much."

"I love you more."

Stefan hung up then breathed out pressing on her contact. He stared at her beautiful face in the contact photo then silently prayed that this would work. He called her and brought the phone up to his ear. He felt like it was just going to ring until it got to voicemail, but at the last second it stopped ringing and he could hear background noise.

"Jas?" He waited in the silence and as it stayed that way he continued. "I was just talking to your mother about waiting until this weekend to call you but, I felt like I should do it now. I miss you, baby girl, I love you and I am- from the bottom of my heart so sorry for ever lying to you. We were going to tell you, I swear, and a part of me was just scared that you wouldn't love me anymore and I was terrified. I'm terrified. No matter what anyone thinks or says, you're my baby girl. Mine.

"I remember when you were about seven years old and you would always fall asleep in the most random places." He chuckled thinking back. "But I would find you and scoop you up and look down at your face and I'd see you fighting back a smile. I knew you had been pretending so I could just carry you but I play along and tuck you in. And every time, right before my foot stepped out the door you'd call me and ask me to lay with you until you fell asleep. And I would every single time."

"I remember,"

He stilled at her voice then breathed out happily. "I love you so much, know that. If you're free tomorrow or this weekend I'd like to spend some time with you and just try to sort things out. Just tell me what's best when you can."

"Can I skip school?"

He smiled. "Just this once,"

"Okay."

"I'll see you tomorrow around twelve, is that okay?"

"Yes,"

"Okay. I love you," he waited a few moments. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye,"


The next day Bonnie knocked on her door and sighed seeing her still asleep. She went to wake her up. "Jas, come on."

"What time is it?" She groaned.

"Time for school, get up."

"I'm not going to school today, dad said I could skip so we could hang out at twelve."

"Oh. Well, I wish you would've told me, otherwise I wouldn't have woken up so early." Jasmine chuckled. "And you know when your dad says twelve he means–"

"Eleven thirty, I know," she rested her head back down on her pillow.

Bonnie smiled walking out of the room. She checked her phone as it vibrates seeing a text from Stefan asking her to open the door. She narrowed her eyes but went to go do so and squealed being pulled and lifted in his arms. She looked down and met their lips kissing him deeply.

"Where's our girl?" He asked pulling slightly away.

"Upstairs asleep."

"Yeah?"

She nodded and giggled as he stepped in closing the door with his foot then carried her upstairs.

He pulled her in closer as they kissed missing every single last thing about her. Bonnie pulled away and met their noses and smiled as he kissed her again. "Words cannot describe how much I missed my baby,"

She smiled widely then closed her eyes as he met their foreheads. "Can you spend the night?"

"Anything for you."

"Really?"

He chuckled at her excitement then nodded before kissing her deeply. "Jas called you her dad this morning."

"Did she really?"

Bonnie nodded. "I was shocked but I played it cool."

He chuckled then kissed her before getting up. "I need to sneak back downstairs," he pulled his jeans up his legs.

"I'll be your lookout," she got up.

Once they were dressed, Bonnie left first going to check on Jasmine in her room. She smiled seeing her brush her hair in the mirror dressed in one of her favorite dresses. As she opened her mouth to speak, there were knocks on the door. Jasmine gasped then turned her head quickly towards the door spotting her mom. She cleared her throat then stood. "I guess that's Stefan,"

Bonnie shook her head following behind her. Jasmine opened the door and felt like a ton of bricks but her all at once meeting his eyes. Stefan exhaled and couldn't stop himself from pulling her into his body. He held her close and tight. "I missed you so much," he held her closer bending his knees some.

Jasmine felt tears welling in her eyes then hugged her father back, sinking her face into his shoulder. "I missed you too, dad,"

He pulled away looking into her eyes as he held her face."Come on, let's go out,"

She nodded and walked out beside him. Bonnie was going to comment but just decided to let it be and closed the door.


"Mom said you left your family so you could be my dad. Why?"

They were sat across from each other at the park. After enjoying a nice lunch that was mainly silent, Jasmine decided to ask the question that's been ringing in her head ever since her mom told the story to her.

"Easy. Because I love you."

"It couldn't have been easy,"

"I mean I figured that they would come around eventually so it wasn't that hard to make."

"But they haven't. I don't even know what they look like."

He frowned. "You're right, babe. I think it's time I introduce you to my parents, what do you say?"

She thought. "Let's do it."

He smiled then shortly drove him where he had been staying for the past week. He held her hand after ringing the doorbell and stood tall seeing the door open.

"Mom, I think it's finally time that you meet my daughter Jasmine."

"It's nice to finally meet you."

Lily blinked at the girl then looked at her son.

"Can we come in?" Stefan broke the silence.

"Oh, uh, sure," she moved slightly to the side and Stefan followed his daughter in.

"Is dad home?"

"Uh, Yeah, Giuseppe?" She called out.

Stefan held his daughter's hand seeing his father emerge from down the stairs. Jasmine's eyes widened watching his face for he looked exactly like her dad. She turned her head to look at him then back at his dad still in shock.

"Who do we have here?" He smiled.

"This is my daughter Jasmine. Jas, this is my dad."

"You both look exactly alike." They chuckled. "Your future is standing right in front of you,"

"God I hope not," he joked causing her to laugh. "No, we just thought that we drop by. Figured it was time,"

"I think so too. Where's Bonnie?"

"Well this is kind of our father-daughter day so mom's at home."

"Is this where you grew up?"

"Yep, this is it. Would you like a tour?"

"Please,"

He smiled and walked her around telling her stories about scratches or markings on the walls, stains on the carpet, or where they used to be. Where secret parties were held when his parents were out of town. He brought her upstairs and skipped a couple of rooms figuring they weren't all that important but told her what was behind each door. Then he showed her his room which he knew she was dying to see. He heard her gasp and walk over to the small framed picture of him and Bonnie thirteen years ago.

"Wow, I- look at you both, you're so young!"

He chuckled. "Yeah, it's hard to believe sometimes we were that young and together but just goes to show how quickly time flies."

She smiled and walked around a little more and looked at the mini action figures he had on top of his dresser.

"I uh have an album of you, you know. Well, it's not here because I took it when I left, but I can show you when we get back."

She nodded continuing her looking. "You know these are worth like millions now,"

"I know but, you know, I'll save them for a stormy day."

She smiled and turned to him. "Was my mom ever in here?"

"Uh, not really. I mainly went to her place because she had you and we didn't know how my parents would act at the time so,"

She nodded. "I'm sure she would've made fun of you for that."

"Oh, I know she would've which is why I would hide them when she did visit."

They shared a laugh. She walked over to his bed and sat down on it and he joined her. "I should've moved."

"It's okay,"

"It's not, I- I never- I always loved you and wanted you to be my dad. I was hurt because I knew I could always turn to you for the truth and then that happened and I felt betrayed. I still should've made a move, I was-"

"Hey," he grabbed her face. "I understand. I'm so sorry, I promise from now on, I'll be as truthful as you want me to. Okay?"

She nodded.

"And since so, I told my parents that you and your mom went to see grandma for a week and I stayed back here."

She chuckled. "Okay,"

They smiled and hugged closely for about a minute.

Jasmine helped her father pack his bag and they walked down together. He placed his bag by the door then they walked into the living room joining his parents.

"So how was the tour?"

"Oh so cool. This house is awesome."

They smiled. "I was thinking, Stefan, why don't you call Bonnie over and we all have a long overdue dinner together."

His eyes widened by his father's words then looked over at his mother wanting to see her thoughts. He could tell that they haven't talked about it for she looked just as surprised as he did but she wasn't a fan of the idea. "Um, sure. I'll see if she's free, they'll maybe something going on that I forgot about," he stood then asked Jasmine if she wanted to come along but she declined and he went outside to call his fiancée. "Hey, baby,"

"Hey, babe,"

"Jas told me that you told her about my family and on somewhat of an impulse, I suggested that we go over to visit and we did, I gave her the tour and we talked more about that night. Here's the thing though, my dad invited you over for dinner and I was wondering if you wanted to go?"

"Uhh, I mean yes and no, but yes. I just worry that things will pop off and Jas is there, I don't know, I really think we adults should do a dinner separately first then bring Jas in."

"Now that you say that, I agree. I could tell my mom wasn't a fan of the idea so maybe you're right." He sighed.

"Or let's say that we do have our adult dinner and create more bad blood and they shun us or vice versus, maybe we should do a dinner with Jas first so at least she could say that."

"Let's just agree to hold our possible temper and create a carefree environment and later on we'll still have that adult dinner because there are still unresolved issues bouncing between us."

"Okay, I agree. Are you both coming home first?"

"Yeah, I'm not staying here all day unless Jas wants to. I'll text you."

"Okay, babe, I love you."

"I love you too."

He exhaled then walked back inside joining them and noticed that his daughter was gone. His father answered his question telling him that she went to the bathroom and he thought this was a great chance to discuss what he just did with Bonnie. "So Bonnie's in but the reason we were talking so long was that we think we four adults should have our own dinner or whatever to discuss our issues and address the bad blood."

"There's no bad blood."

"Mother, I saw your face. You don't like the idea of us being together and in the smallest way I understand but around my daughter, I want it to be civilized even if it's fake. We need to get out all that we've been holding in. So tonight just fake it if you must then next time say what it is you need to say."

Jasmine walked back in shortly.

"You ready to go, I want to head home and shower."

"Okay," Jasmine waved her grandparents goodbye then followed her father out.

They exchanged breaths coming down from their highs and shortly met their lips in a makeout.

"Stefan?"

"Baby," he kissed along her neck.

"This morning when we- I think I'm pregnant."

He stopped his kissed then looked at her. "What?"

"I thought women were lying when they said this, but I feel it inside of me. It's like it's something there. I think I'm pregnant."

He smiled. "That's amazing."

"Just don't get your hopes up, it could be just gas or something but I had to tell you because I'm too excited."

He smiled and kissed her several times. "You're ovulating?"

"Yeah,"

He smiled looking into her eyes. "Man, I really want this."

"I know. I want it too."

"Tomorrow or something let's buy a pregnancy test, okay?"

"Okay,"

He kisses her multiple times then moves his hands down causing them both to smile. Reluctantly, they got up from bed to get ready for dinner and so many emotions were swirling within them that they felt as if they were going a little crazy. The happiness over the possible baby, the dinner, and all that entails.

[UNCOMPLETED]

[END]