Elena sighed heavily as she glanced at her phone-again. She had been sitting in her car for nearly thirty minutes trying to bolster her courage. She felt ill-prepared to face Tyler tonight. The situation was made more untenable by the location that Damon had chosen for this confrontation. He had planned every detail of this scheme to cause maximum damage to Tyler and Bonnie's relationship. Elena thought that his plan was a bit cruel and unnecessary. Nevertheless, she felt incapable of stopping what would surely be a train wreck. When the don asks for a favor, it was unwise to deny him.

Mentally, Elena had been painting herself as an innocent bystander. She was thrust into a conflict between two powerful people. It made sense for her to cling to the person offering her a lifeline. Yet, there was a tiny voice in the back of Elena's head that called her a liar and a coward. She didn't owe Bonnie anything because they had never been more than casual acquaintances. However, she had thrown Jeremy and Tyler under the bus to save herself. Elena knew that she wouldn't be so wracked with guilt if the scheme would save her life or from grave injury. Instead, she was merely saving herself from an arranged marriage with a man she didn't know.

Young women that did not grow up in the mob might understand her desperate actions. Most of the Western world believed that arranged marriages were archaic and misogynistic. However, Elena knew that she would find no support from the women and girls that had grown up around the mob. They all knew that marrying for love was a luxury and not a right. Many of their mothers, aunts, sisters, and cousins had been married off to men for the greater good. The women did their duty because it was all they had ever known. Moreover, it was the best way to prevent bloodshed. Alliances through marriage brought peace and ensured diplomacy in the moments when it was most needed.

It was just after 10 o'clock at night and she was parked in front of Abby Bennett's house. She had hoped that the party would be over by now but it looked as if the celebration would stretch well into the night. Elena took a deep breath and stuffed the phone into her purse. She wouldn't be able to weasel her way out of this situation. It was best to just get it done. Elena was already fulfilling the other part of her bargain with Damon. She had arranged several 'chance' meetings between Jeremy and Greta. Damon had already spoken to the young woman and she knew that Jeremy was to be her future husband. Greta had taken the knowledge without a word of complaint. She knew her duty and wouldn't try to escape it like Elena had.

Elena climbed out of the BMW that her parents bought her for Christmas. It was just another reminder of the bill she had been accruing her entire life. Elena had always benefited from her family's connection to the Salvatore crime family's illicit business. Now her bill had come due and the payment made her sick to her stomach. Elena reasoned that her path was better than the one her younger brother was following. In this case, she was actually grateful for the mob's misogynistic tendencies. They didn't believe that women were capable of more than being wives and arm candy. She would never be asked to do anything more nefarious than this.

She rang the bell and waited for someone to answer the door. She hoped that the melody could be heard over the loud music playing inside the house. Elena was worried that she would lose her nerve if she was left to stew for too long. She ran a nervous hand over her pin-straight hair. It was all brushed over one shoulder since Tyler had always liked it that way. In fact, her entire outfit had been selected to appeal to his sensibilities. She couldn't speak to what Tyler liked about Bonnie, but she knew why he had been attracted to her. She had been Bonnie's polar opposite and he had liked that about her.

A moment later, Lucy opened the door with a wide smile on her face. However, her expression changed when she saw Elena standing there. She couldn't think of any good reason for the girl to turn up on Abby's doorstep. Lucy's eyes narrowed in suspicion as a sinking feeling developed in the pit of her stomach.

Elena shifted nervously under the older woman's harsh gaze. She had seen Lucy many times during events held at the Salvatore Manor. The gap in their ages meant that they had scarcely spoken. Yet it seemed that Lucy had already formed a negative opinion of her. Elena took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She knew from the outset that people would be unhappy with this. "Is Tyler here? I really need to speak to him."

Lucy smirked at the girl she said, "Strike one was showing up here after your smart mouth nearly got you punched on New Year's Eve. Strike two is standing there acting like you don't know Tyler is here. His entire family is here. If you get to strike three I'll slam the door in your face. And I will make sure that you are ignored for the rest of the night."

Elena blinked because she had not expected this. She was also worried that her behavior on New Year's Eve would come back to bite her. Maybe Tyler and Bonnie would be suspicious of this pregnancy since she had acted like a bitter ex-fiance. She said, "I need to talk to Tyler. It's important and it really can't wait. I wouldn't be here if it weren't serious."

She eyed the girl for a long moment and then beckoned her inside. Lucy didn't trust Elena for a single second. However, she couldn't turn the girl away without informing Tyler of her presence. He would have to decide whether to listen to Elena or send her away.

Elena stepped into the house and said, "Thank you."

"Wait here," she replied.

Lucy grimaced and then walked to the guest suite that belonged to Bonnie. She had watched Tyler and her younger cousin sneak out together maybe an hour ago. She didn't blame them for trying to get some alone time. Bonnie wasn't ready for Sarah to know that she was dating Tyler. Therefore, he couldn't spend the night at Abby's house. They only had time alone during dates and sometimes afterwards if Bonnie wasn't too tired.

She entered the suite and then knocked on the bedroom door loud enough to get their attention. She called out, "Tyler, someone is here to see you. She said that it was important and couldn't wait until tomorrow."

Tyler answered the door a couple minutes later. He was hastily dressed and looked angry. He asked, "Who is here to see me?"

"Elena…"

He stared at Lucy for a beat. He couldn't fathom why Elena would come to Abby's house to see him. His eyebrows furrowed as he recalled a couple missed calls from her. However, she hadn't left a message to explain why she called. He groaned and asked, "Where is she now?"

"I left her in the foyer."

Tyler turned around to look at Bonnie.

She was wearing a mint green satin robe. She cleared her throat and said, "You should go see what she wants, Ty. I doubt she would come here without good reason."

Tyler walked over to Bonnie and kissed her softly. "I'll be back soon."

She nodded. "I'll probably be in the shower."

He couldn't fault Bonnie for putting an end to their night. It wasn't as if either of them would be interested in sex after he dealt with Elena. Tyler said, "Okay."

Lucy glanced at the sullen expression on her cousin's face.

Tyler sidled around Lucy and then walked out to the foyer. He tensed when he saw Elena standing there. She looked so small and out of place amidst all the celebration. The drinks had been flowing since before sunset. Tyler was certainly on the wrong side of inebriated at this point. He stopped in front of Elena. "What are you doing here, Elena? This isn't exactly a good time."

"I'm sorry. I tried calling earlier but you didn't answer the phone. We need to talk," she replied timidly and grasped his hand.

He noted the way her hand trembled. Immediately, his suspicion was replaced with concern. "Come with me. I'll find somewhere quieter for us to talk."

Elena's heart fluttered when she saw Tyler's obvious concern for her. Their relationship hadn't been all bad. In fact, it was only in this last year that the cracks had started forming in their relationship-from her vantage point.

Tyler walked into office. He turned on the lights and then closed the door for privacy. He motioned to a chair in front of the desk and sat in the other one. "What's wrong?"

Elena sat in the chair and looked down at her hands for a few moments. She hated manipulating Tyler in this way. She had to keep reminding herself that the alternative was marrying Angelo Salvatore. She wouldn't do that under any circumstances. Elena wished that she hated him. Hating Tyler would make it so much easier. "I'm pregnant, Tyler."

Tyler was drunk and completely out of sorts. However, those three words were like a dozen cups of coffee injected directly into his veins. Suddenly, his mouth felt dry and his tongue felt heavy. He shook his head. "No...we haven't slept together since before Thanksgiving. If you're pregnant then someone else has to be the father."

She shook her head and slowly pulled a sonogram from her purse. She handed it to Tyler. "The dates line up. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't certain that you were the father."

Tyler squinted to read the tiny white words printed on the picture. He looked up when Elena passed a lab report to him as well.

"I have been sick for a few weeks. I thought it was just a stomach bug. It wouldn't be the first time I caught something while working at the hospital. I told my mom and she suggested that I see a doctor. My menstrual cycle has always been a little unpredictable. It's been even more so since starting medical school. The constant stress…"

He swallowed thickly. Tyler was at odds with himself. He had always wanted to be a father. However, Elena wasn't the person he imagined being the mother to his children. It had little to do with his love for Bonnie and everything to do with the fact that Elena had never accepted who he was. She wanted a civilian and Tyler would never be that. He asked, "What about Aaron?"

Elena had been prepared for Tyler to mention Aaron. She knew that he suspected her of cheating. She was ashamed to admit that Tyler was right. She had been seeing Aaron behind Tyler's back for months. However, she had to lie to him now. Elena was grateful that she hadn't been foolish enough to admit the truth when they broke up. She shook her head. "I will not lie to you. My relationship with Aaron wasn't completely platonic. I had an emotional affair with him. He was there when you started pulling away from me."

Tyler looked down at the sonogram again. He had pulled away from Elena incrementally. He couldn't stand her nearly constant silent disapproval.

"I can't...I can't do this alone, Tyler. I can't raise this baby alone. It's still early enough...I mean there's time to end it," she whispered.

Tyler had to strain his ears to hear the last words she spoke. His expression looked as if she had slapped him. Tyler got to his feet so fast that the lab report and sonogram fell to the floor. "You can't be serious! An abortion?!"

Elena forced herself to produce some tears. She avoided his gaze and sniffled. "I'm not proud of my thoughts, but I can't deny them. I am so busy with school and work. Maybe I could balance all of it now. I mean plenty of women work until they're ready to give birth. But what am I going to do afterwards? I am not equipped or prepared to raise a baby alone."

"Alone?" he asked. "Do you really think that I wouldn't be there for our baby? I am not going to abandon the two of you. You and the baby will want for nothing."

"I know that you would be part of his or her life. I also know that we would be cared for financially, but I would be the one getting up in the middle of the night for feedings and diaper changes. I...I need you, Tyler. I think that we can make it work if we both tried harder this time around. I know that...I know that I pushed you away, too. I didn't mean to do that. I just had a hard time accepting that you wanted all of this," she motioned vaguely around them.

Elena's gut churned as she spun this horrible story. She hoped that Tyler wouldn't mention this conversation to her parents. Their involvement would ruin everything. Grayson and Miranda Gilbert voted democrat in every election but they were still Catholic. Her parents believed in reproductive rights for other people but not their own daughter. Elena couldn't predict their exact reaction but it wouldn't be good. Moreover, it would draw unwanted attention to her fake pregnancy.

Fortunately, Tyler was either too drunk or shocked to consider that. He slowly sat down because he now understood her dilemma. If Tyler wasn't living in the house with Elena then the majority of the responsibility would fall to her. He'd be a weekend dad until the baby was older. Then he was struck by an idea. "What if I took the baby after it's born?"

Elena's jaw dropped because she hadn't expected that from him. She asked, "What?"

"I can move back home with my parents. Mom would be over the moon to have one of her grandkids in the house. She hates that Lexi and the kids live so far away. Mom has plenty of free time and we can hire a full-time nanny, too. Brady is still crashing in my parents' basement most of the time. He can help, too. You could get the baby whenever your schedule allowed. I know it isn't traditional but it could work," he swore.

The young woman's eyes were as wide as saucers as Tyler rattled off his insane plan. The churning feeling in her stomach grew worse by the second. Tyler was willing to turn his life upside down for her and their fake baby. She scrambled for a way to shoot down his reasonable idea. She asked, "What about Bonnie? I doubt she'd be happy that we're having a baby together."

His ex-girlfriend's words hit their target like a heat seeking missile. Bonnie was perhaps the most caring woman he knew but she had self-esteem issues. She also had trust issues. Tyler would have to spend a great deal of time with Elena before and after the baby was born. Would Bonnie be able to trust him? Would she believe that he wouldn't betray her as Damon had?

Tyler replied, "I am sure it will take some time for Bonnie to adjust, but she loves kids. She loved Sarah so much that she adopted her. She's even building a relationship with Nadia and it's no secret how she feels about Katherine. I don't have all the answers right now but we can make this work, Elena. Just don't make any decisions that we can't take back. Please."

Elena blinked back real tears because this was worse than she had expected. Tyler already had his heart set on a baby that wasn't real. In a few weeks, she'd have to fake a miscarriage and break his heart. Worse yet, Damon wanted to stage the scene so that Tyler would believe he was at fault. Elena had objected to that idea from the beginning and tonight had only strengthened her resolve. Making Tyler believe he was responsible for the death of their fake child would destroy him. She couldn't be party to that.

Tyler brushed away the tears sliding down Elena's cheeks. "No matter how our relationship ended, I still care about you, Elena. I won't let you down. I promise."

According to Damon's plan, she was supposed to get loud and start an argument now. She was supposed to embarrass Tyler in front of his and Bonnie's families. Elena just couldn't bring herself to do that. She didn't have the emotional energy to pull off that sort of lie. She would have to devise some other way to complicate Tyler and Bonnie's relationship.

She nodded slowly. "I promise that abortion is off the table. We'll figure out something else."

Tyler's shoulders sagged in relief. He stood and then pulled Elena into a fierce hug. He stepped back and looked at her flat stomach. "You won't regret this. I promise. We're going to be parents."

Elena smiled up at him and said, "I believe in you."

"Thanks," he replied. He picked up the lab report and sonogram.

"You can keep those. I have copies at home."

Tyler smiled. "Okay."

"You should probably tell your parents soon. Mine already know about the baby. It won't stay a secret long...you know how people love to talk. And this will be good gossip," she whispered sadly.

Tyler scrubbed a hand over his face because she was right. It might take a couple days but soon everyone in the Salvatore and Benedetto organizations would know the whole story. "I'll talk to them first thing in the morning. No one is sober enough for rational conversation tonight."

She nodded. "Okay."

"Come on. I'll walk you out."

Tyler turned out the office's lights and then walked Elena to her car.

"You didn't have to come all the way out here. You're not even wearing shoes," she said.

"It's fine," he replied quietly. "Text me when you make it home?"

Elena bit her lip and climbed into the car. She said, "I will."

"Good night, Lena," Tyler said. He walked back to the curb and waited for her to leave.

Elena gave a quick wave and then drove away.

Tyler released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Then he slowly walked back into the house. He had been honest with Elena. He would do anything for her and the baby. However, he was also aware of what that might cost him. Bonnie supported Damon's relationship with Nadia because they were no longer together. She didn't care how much or how little time he was spending with Katherine. The same would not apply to him. She would see shadows where there were none.

He walked into the house and nearly jumped out his skin because Lucy was standing there. "Hey…"

"How bad is it? I'm not prying into your business. I just want to know what level of comfort my cousin is going to need," she said in a quiet voice.

Tyler's face fell. He would have preferred if Lucy was ready to punch his lights out. Her concern made him worry even more. He said, "Feel like going to pick up some In and Out for Bonnie?"

Lucy slowly released a breath. "Shit."

"It's nothing that I've done recently but…"

Lucy shook her head. She said, "You don't need to tell me. I'll get Brady and we'll go pick up some comfort food."

"Don't forget thousand island dressing. She has to have it for her fries," he said.

She smiled a little and patted him on the back. "I know…"

Tyler slowly made his way back to Bonnie's room. He felt guilty even though he didn't do anything wrong.

Bonnie had showered while Tyler was talking to Elena. Now she was changing the sheets on her bed.

He murmured, "Let me help you with that."

"The fitted sheet is on now. The rest can wait. Is everything okay with Elena?" Bonnie asked. Her green eyes narrowed on the folded paper in his hands.

Tyler sat on the side of the bed. He handed her the report and sonogram. "Elena is pregnant. She says that I'm the only one that could be the father."

Bonnie felt lightheaded as she considered the estimated date of conception. Tyler hadn't lied to her or been unfaithful. They were just unlucky. She immediately felt guilty for thinking about his child as an unlucky event. She struggled to recover quickly but the words didn't come.

"Bon…" Tyler asked worriedly.

"Congratulations!" Bonnie said with a forced smile. "That's amazing news, Ty."

Tyler cupped her cheek. "Don't do that…"

"I'm happy for you," she replied.

He sighed softly. "Bon…"

"No, I am. Or at least I will be when I get over the shock. You've always wanted to be a dad. This is good news. I just need time to get over the initial shock."

He studied Bonnie's face and then began to relax. She had never been able to lie to him directly. He could tell that she was being truthful. "I just...I want you to know that this doesn't change anything for us."

Bonnie smiled sadly. "This changes everything for us, Ty."

"You don't think you could love my son or daughter?" he asked with a wounded expression. He adored Sarah and went out of his way to make her like him.

She shook her head quickly. "Don't be stupid. I would love your child no matter the mother."

"Then I don't understand what you mean. I'm not going to get back with Elena. That bridge is burned," he declared.

"You know how we were both raised. Are you truly okay with your child being born a bastard? What will your parents say about that?"

Tyler felt as if he had been sucker punched. He hadn't considered that side of things. He had been so focused on convincing Elena to keep the baby. Then he had been concerned about reassuring Bonnie. However, Tyler's parents would raise hell if their grandchild was born out of wedlock. Bonnie's family shared the same belief. It was the main reason that she agreed to stay married to Damon until after the twins were born.

Bonnie took Tyler's hand because she could see that he was freaking out. She almost regretted giving voice to her concerns, but he needed to have a plan before telling his parents. She loved Richard but he was a hard man that believed in tradition. He would pressure his son to do the right thing for his grandchild.

"Bon…"

She kissed him softly.

"What was that for?" he asked in surprise.

"For courage because you're going to need it," she said with a chuckle.

He rolled his eyes. "This isn't funny."

"You're right. I'm sorry. It's just...we're cursed," she said with a shake of her heard.

"We're not curse," he huffed.

Bonnie smiled a little. "It certainly feels like we are. Every time we try to get together...something gets in our way. Your baby is a blessing and I mean that sincerely. But the fallout is decidedly not…"

He admitted, "No...it's not. I have no idea what I am going to do but I know that I can't do this without you, Bon."

"I'm not going anywhere, Ty. Whether we're together or just friends...I will always be here," she promised.

Tyler's eyes darkened. "Just friends is not even on the table."

"Ty…"

"No, there's nothing to talk about on that front. I've waited too long. I had to watch you marry that asshole. I listened to you be miserable for four years. The whole time I loved you so damn much. Do you know how many times I thought about killing him?"

Bonnie looked into his eyes and smiled wryly. She rested her head on his shoulder. "You thought about whacking my husband and then what? We would run away together?"

"Loiaconos and Benedettos don't run," he said while stroking her back. His fingers slid over the skin exposed by her tank top.

"No, we don't," she agreed. She bit her lip. "I hate to bring this up…"

"What?" he asked.

"I know that Elena said that you are the father but are you sure. I mean...you suspected that she was cheating on you."

Tyler said, "I don't think Elena would lie about this. If she had a choice, I think she'd want the baby's father to be a civilian. She really doesn't want to be involved in all this."

"Good point," she conceded.

He said, "You are going to be really angry at me."

"Why?" Bonnie asked with a raised eyebrow.

Tyler walked across the room and kicked the door closed. He locked it and said, "I am about to get you all sweaty again."

She bit her lip and said, "We can't! The party…."

He shucked off his jeans and said, "Will continue for a few more hours. I promise I'll make it quick. I just...need this. I need us."

Bonnie glared at him but there was no heat behind it. "Not too quick…"

"Never that quick," he agreed.

She stood and stripped off her clothes. "Fine but I expect foreplay."

Tyler licked his lips for emphasis. "I agree to those terms."

Bonnie ignored the shiver that went down her spine.

He crossed the room in a couple quick strides and lifted Bonnie off her feet.

She squealed in response. "Ty!"

He chuckled. "You'd better be quiet or someone might hear you."

She slapped his shoulder. "Asshole. Be nice to me."

Tyler lowered her onto the bed and kissed a line down her torso. "I'm always nice to you. But I can be nicer. Do you want me to be nicer?"

Bonnie nodded as he disappeared between her legs. Making love would only offer a short reprieve, but they both needed to feel connected to the other. They would face the fallout together in the morning.