Sorry I haven't updated. I've been swamped with Production class and catching up in school since I was absent to go to Michigan. I think this is the longest I've gone without updating. I hope it's the last time. Anyway, I've had the idea for this chapter in my head for forever. Finally I got it on the computer. I know everyone will be excited for the next four chapters. All of your reviews, alerts, tweets and support keep me going and make me smile everyday. I'm going to try to update after I finish my AP paper but if not it will DEFINITELY be up TOMORROW. I promise. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. I try to reply to every review and tweet quickly, and I ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO do so. You guys are like the best supporters ever. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Hint: It's not DE heavy but drama heavy. They will be plenty more DE in the next chapter, trust me. (Wink Wink) AN: I don't own the Vampire Diaries or its characters. They all belong to their respective owners, I just own my story. Enjoy:

Elena and Bonnie were walking through the grocery store with a cart full of sweets. It was Niklaus' third birthday today and everybody was going to the Gilbert Residence for his backyard birthday party. Elena knew her brother got him a bouncy house and a castle. She knew he had a mini water park set up by the pool in their giant backyard. Jeremy and Damon were barbequing all day. All far as she knew it was going to be a crazy day. At about six, they were all going to the carnival. Elena and Bonnie had half an hour before it was four and the party was almost over. Most of the food was at the house but Jeremy sent them out for extras and more chicken breasts. Jeremy and Niklaus loved grilled chicken breast for some odd reason.

"Why does Jeremy need more chicken when he has like ten packs of seven at home?" Bonnie questioned her friend.

"Your boyfriend is very complicated." Elena said making both of the girls laugh.

"Does my boyfriend know about you and your boyfriend?" Bonnie questioned as they found the produce section.

"What boyfriend would you be referring to?" Elena asked, feigning innocence.

"Damon Salvatore!" Bonnie exclaimed.

"Bon, he's not my boyfriend. We're not official or whatever." Elena reasoned.

"He might as well be your boyfriend. I mean, the boy is so in love with you." Bonnie said.

Elena raised an eyebrow at Bonnie. Was Damon in love with her? Where did that come from? Sure they might love one another, they were practically raised together, but in love? No, he couldn't be in love with her.

"I don't know about all of that."

"Well it sure seems like it. I mean, I've never seen anything like you two." Bonnie reasoned.

"You and Jer have been together for like years Bon."

"But it's me and Jer. Jeremy is not like Damon when it comes to relationship." Bonnie told Elena.

"You're right about that."

The girls found the grilled chicken and put about five packs into the cart.

"Do we need anything else? We've got Klaus' cake and the cookies."

"We need some juice and pop." Elena told her and the girls headed off to the back of the store.

Elena could feel her friend staring at her and it made her laugh.

"What's wrong Bonnie?" Elena asked laughing and making Bonnie frown.

"Anna doesn't like me." Bonnie said.

Elena wanted to laugh and roll around on the floor of the store at that point. Was she really serious?

"Of course she doesn't like you Bon! You're the other woman." Elena hissed to her still laughing.

"I'm not the other woman anymore." Bonnie said defensively.

"Well Bonnie some girls don't like to be cheated on. Anna happens to be one who likes to hold a grudge. What did you expect? Did you expect Anna to treat you like a step-mother to her son? You're seventeen; she thinks Jeremy is cheating on you already. Plus she's still upset about that you giving him a sibling comment you told him." Elena explained picking up fruit juice and apple juice.

"I was serious. I want to have kids someday." Bonnie said and Elena just chuckled at her friend.

"Well you won't have baby mama approval." Elena said looking back to her friend.

"I never wanted her to be friends with me. I helped Jeremy cheat on her when she was pregnant I just want her to not hate me, it's no fun."

"If it makes you feel better, they were doomed from the start anyway." Elena offered trying not to laugh.

"No, it doesn't Lena," Bonnie exclaimed, "And stop laughing! This is not funny!"

Elena tried to stop laughing but couldn't help herself. The two walked to the checkout center and got into one of the laughs. Elena was wiping tears from her eyes when they started loading their purchases onto the conveyer belt. Elena could see the scowl present on Bonnies face from her laughing tirade.

"I'm sorry Bonnie. You dug your own grave and now you have to lie in it. Anna doesn't hate you, she just strongly dislikes you. She doesn't like that her son has to be around the woman who she felt broke her family apart. How would you feel if she broke you and Jer up while you were pregnant with his son?"

Bonnie did not say anything after Elena said that. The cashier wrung them up and the bag boy played their groceries in the cart. They were silent as they walked outside and loaded Stefan's pick-up with the food. The ride was silent until Bonnie just grunted loud and turned toward her friend.

"Lena just please get her to not dislike me!" Bonnie whined.

"Bonnie, I don't think I'm the person you should talk to about this. Anna and I aren't best friends."

"Yeah but Katherine hates her. Caroline is not happy to associate with her unless it deals with Niklaus. You're the only one besides Jer that actually talks to her."

"You need to talk to Anna yourself." Elena advised her friend as they pulled up in front of the large Gilbert home.

The party had already started. There were little kids everywhere and adults standing around talking. Elena spotted Mani holding Niklaus up, talking to him. She could see Bonnie grimacing at the girl from the corner of her eye. The jealousy issues she had were beyond crazy. The girls went into the kitchen which was empty but covered in all kinds of foods. Mostly everyone was outside.

"Lena I have to tell you something." Bonnie said.

"Do tell please." Elena said jokingly.

"There's this guy and he likes me."

Elena's eye shot up to Bonnie. Bonnie instantly got quiet and Elena just looked at her.

"Finish whatever you were saying Bon." Elena ordered with an emotionless face.

"It's this guy and he likes me. I mean, he's nice and all. I could be into him-"

"Are you cheating on my brother Bonnie?" Elena shouted.

"Quiet down Lena. No, I'm not cheating on Jer. I would never do that."

Elena exhaled the breath she was holding ever since Bonnie told her there was another guy.

"So what's with this guy?" Elena questioned her friend and brother's girlfriend.

"He really likes me. He's waiting on me and Jer to break-up. I'm confused because lately Jer has been avoiding me. Every time I call him he's not with another woman or anything, it's just like he's irritated with me. He's been working a lot or not having time for me. I don't know what I did."

"Jeremy is foolish and impulsive. Sometimes you know he doesn't think."

"So he hasn't been thinking for weeks huh? He's been like this for over a month since before that sleepover where we all made up."

Elena sighed. Her brother could write a book on crushing a girl's heart. It did not matter it he meant to do it or not. He was a master at heartbreaking.

"So who is this guy?"

Bonnie seemed hesitant now. Oh, she could not shut up now. Elena knew it was more to this than just some guy.

"Who is the guy Bonnie?" Elena questioned.

"It's Finn." Bonnie mumbled and Elena's eyes widened.

"Repeat that Bon." Elena ordered.

"It's Finn Michelson."

"Do you mean Finn, as in my best friend Elijah's brother?" Elena exclaimed.

Bonnie threw a towel at her friend making Elena giggle.

"Shut up Lena. If Jeremy hears we're both dead." Bonnie exclaimed in whispers.

"Jeremy hates their entire family by association. Bonnie, how can this be happening?"

"I didn't plan it. He's back from Vanderbilt for the summer. I haven't seen him since he left for college two years ago. I know he had a crush on me when I first started high school but I thought that was it. We've been hanging out lately. He tried to kiss me but I did the head turn. I turned it into the cheek kiss. I like him though, a lot. It's just that I love Jer, a lot. It just seems like Jer doesn't love me anymore."

Elena could not tell Bonnie what to do. Jeremy could act one way for a while then suddenly flip the script out of nowhere. Sometimes she believed he could have multiple personalities who just kept all the memories.

"Bonnie, I won't and can't tell you what to do. Just don't cheat on Jer."

"I'm not going to cheat on Jer. It's just that what if we break up, should I give Finn a chance?"

Bonnie looked vulnerable like she was lost. At least, Elena could answer her last question without feeling like she was betraying her brother or suffocating with all this drama. She and Damon finally get into a good place and everyone needed to suck her into their drama. It was becoming exhausting.

"If you and Jeremy break up, you have no obligations to him. Of course, go out with the Michelson."

Bonnie just smiled before running her hand through her long brown hair.

"Well I hope I don't have to worry about dating anyone else besides your brother for a long time."

Elena laughed grabbing her best friend's arms. The two headed out to the backyard. Instrumental music was playing low in the backyard as the older people sat around talking. Elena spotted talking with Mani. Okay, now she knew she was in a Twilight Zone episode. That was the only explanation for everything that had been going on lately.

"Are they friends?" Bonnie said into her ear.

"Not to my knowledge." Elena said, untangling herself from her friend when she saw Mani walking off from Anna.

"I'm going to go talk to Anna. I'll find you later."

Bonnie nodded her head and headed off to find her boyfriend. Elena walked over to her nephew's mother and linked arms with her.

"Hey Anna." Elena said.

"Hey Lena. Thanks for going to the store. Jeremy likes to go big." Anna said.

"Trust me, I know. Is Pearl here?" Elena asked, curious about Niklaus' only constant grandmother figure.

"Yea, my mom is talking to Jeremy. She was talking to Mani earlier … I like her."

Elena smiled and looked to Anna who was looking at her with a smile.

"What's with the smile Anna Banana?" Elena asked hitting her hip with hers.

"Did Jeremy and the little home wrecker break up?" Anna questioned Elena.

"No, they're very much still together. Elena said laughing.

"So there's no way that Jeremy is with Mani?" Anna asked her favorite of Jeremy's sister.

"Well, I'm not entirely certain about how Jeremy feels about her but Mani says she learned her lesson with douchebags." Elena clarified to the short girl entwined with her.

"Well if he decided to break up with the other one and go for her, I would approve."

Elena could not believe what she was hearing. Okay, she knew Anna and Jeremy were sleeping together until Niklaus was about almost one. Anna had broken it off saying that the Ping-Pong game was getting old. Anna sometimes acted as if she wasn't ready to move on.

"That's a bit funny. I just had a conversation with his current girlfriend that she doesn't like the fact that you seem to hate her."

"Elena you know I don't hate her. I just don't like her. If she's willing to sneak around with a family man then she clearly had no values. I mean, Jeremy is an asshole and so I expect it form her, she's just some chick with no awareness."

"I guess that's understandable." Elena said.

"Mani's daughter looks familiar." Anna said out of the blue.

"I know it's the-" Elena began.

"The eyes!" They both exclaimed in unison.

Elena and Anna laughed at their unison.

"They're a bit out of place. Someone in her family had to have had the most beautiful set of green eyes in the world." Anna said almost swooning and making Elena giggle.

"I know. When I saw her for the first time she was about two months old and Mani needed a baby sitter. So I volunteered for her and when that little girl opened her eyes, I swore I knew her from somewhere."

"At least Mia is friendly. Her name is a bit unique."

"It's not after Jeremy; I got the bit of information of out her. Mani's dad is named Jeremiah."

"Interesting. I mean, if I did the math Jer could have had another kid. We were broken up during that time. Mia's birthday is five months after Klaus'. Jeremy and I didn't get back together until I was about seven months pregnant. He had to time to get her pregnant."

"As if! Jer is many things but he's not careless to get two girls pregnant in less than half a year!" Elena defended.

"Elena I love your brother for being my first love and all but come on, it's Jer."

"No, not possible. I know everyone is starting to wonder that but no, he wouldn't. Jer could never keep that from us."

"Jer doesn't like for everyone to know his business." Anna offered.

"No way." Elena said, dismissing the thought immediately.

Anna just laughed.

"Alright Lena. I don't believe it anyway, it's just possible. Did you see your bad boy yet?"

Elena turned to Anna with narrowed eyes.

"Excuse me?"

"Don't be so shy Lena. I know about you and Damon, it's so obvious." Anna said.

"Know what?" Elena asked attempting to throw the girl off.

"Jer might be blind to your escapades with his partner in crime but I'm not. So is he good?"

Elena's smiled hung wide open like a fish.

"I am so not answering that and you cannot tell Jer!" Elena exclaimed.

"No problem. I'm actually surprised Jeremy didn't throw Christian out yet."

"Christian?"

"My boyfriend. We've been together for a couple of months but it's finally getting serious. I brought him, he's right there." Anna said then pointed to a group of men.

Elena could see her Uncle John and Grayson talking to a blond guy. He was tall for one. Elena could not see the color of his eyes clearly but they appeared to be blue. He was muscular but too not muscular. He was hot. He held a beer in his hands as he talked with the other two men.

"He's hot Anna Banana. Good work." Elena said hitting the side of her hips with Anna;s.

Anan just laughed at the young girl. She felt she had done a good job too.

"He's twenty-five. I know he's five years older but hey. He's a T.A down at the University and he's getting his PH.D to become a professor of psychology."

"A professor, well isn't that a total 360 from your local crime boss." Elena teased making them both laugh.

"Yea and Jeremy seems to like him. I know he'll be cautious no matter what because Klaus is his son but he didn't chew me out for bringing him. Klaus likes him too." Anna told Elena.

"Speaking of my nephew, I need to go say Happy Birthday to my little three year-old before he feels he's too big to get a kiss from his auntie." Elena said walking off to find Niklaus.

Elena spotted him helping Mia out of the bouncy house. Elena could not help but smile.

"Is that my two favorite people in the whole world?"

Jeremia and Niklaus both turned around to Elena. The smiles on their faces grew a tenfold and they raced over to her. They both slammed into her at the same time, sending her into the ground laughing.

"Auntie Lena!" They exclaimed in unison hugging her and giving her kisses on her cheeks.

"Hey Thing 1 and Thing 2. Are you two having fun?"

"Me like the bouncy house." Mia said warming her heart.

"That's awesome. What about you Niklaus? Is your birthday cool?"

"It's awesome Auntie Lena. Daddy got me all this stuff. I saw alls my presents and there's a lot. I said thank you to everyone. Daddy got me a motorbike. Guess what? We're all going to Wisconsin Dells in March for Spring Breaks!" Niklaus exclaimed.

Elena wanted to cheer with him. Jeremy could be such a spoiler sometimes, it was awesome. Hopefully he would let her bring people along.

"That's awesome. Now old are you today Klaus? Are you two?"

A pout formed her nephew's face making her smile grow bigger.

"Auntie Lena, I'm not two. I'm not a baby anymore. I'm three!" Niklaus told her in excitement.

"That's right buddy. Auntie Lena got you a giant cake with a three on it!"

Niklaus' eyes seemed to sparkle. Sometimes he could act like he was a teenager but he was a child. His innocence was amazing at times with everything dealing with his parents.

"Lena you might want to get off the floor with the kids, it's time for cake." A deep voice spoke from over her.

Elena looked up to see Jeremy towering over her. She smirked at him before getting off the ground with the children.

"Very funny Jeremy. I saw Anna's boyfriend."

She saw her brother nod his head as he picked up Mia and Niklaus got on his back. He seemed to shrug it off.

"Jeremy, I saw your son's mother's boyfriend."

"Are you going to be a parrot today?" Jeremy asked teasingly.

"I thought you would care about another man being around your son."

"Nope, Anna told me about him two weeks ago. I had Luca check him out. He's good. She could do way worse."

"Like you?" Elena teased with a small.

Jeremy just shook his head as they stepped up to the big table. Elena could see Damon talking to Anna's boyfriend along with her Uncle John.

"It's time to sing Happy Birthday everyone!" Elena heard her father Grayson announce loudly.

Everyone came to the table. Elena took Mia from Jeremy's arms and he pulled Klaus from his back. Klaus just smiled. He knew everything was about him today; he was a lot like Jeremy sometimes, self-centered.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR KLAUS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HOW OLD ARE YOU?" Everyone sang in unison.

"I AM THREE NOT TWO!" Klaus shouted making all the adults in the crowd laugh.

Claps erupted when Niklaus started telling Jeremy he didn't want any more singing, he just wanted cake. Elena had to smile at her nephew's bluntness.

"Auntie Lena, my birthday is soon too." Mia spoke into her ear.

"I know sweet girl."

"I hope everybody comes. Last year, Daddy just took Mommy and me to California. My uncles lives there and we all went to Disney Land. But this year I want to stay here so everyone can come." Mia told her.

Elena could not help but feel all the love in her heart going to the sweet little girl in her arms. She looked innocent and serious. She did not look sad though, just determined a bit.

"I'll make sure it happens baby girl. Now do you want some cake?"

Mia nodded her head and laid it back into the crook of Elena's neck. When Elena got the girl's slice of cake, she walked over to the garage to sit in Damon's car. The top was down and she knew Mia loved this car. Mia smiled when they sat in the car and ate her cake. After a while, she began to doze off on Elena's chest.

"When did my car come with two lovely ladies in it?" Damon's voice said.

Elena could see and hear him walking into the garage and instantly smiled. She scooted over and he sat next to her. He stroked Mia's hair with one hand and swung his opposite arm around Elena's shoulders.

"My girl has been away from me all day." Damon said pecking her lips.

"I know, I've been busy. I'm sorry." Elena told him.

"No problem," He said looking down at the girl in her arms, "She's precious. I wonder if my little girls will look like that."

"If they have your eyes, you'll be sitting on the porch with a shotgun." Elena joked.

At the mention of latter years, Damon's smile faded a bit.

"So not funny." Damon told her leaning back into the seat.

"Are you going to win your lovely ladies some prizes tonight?" Elena asked.

"You know I will. Jeremy will have his hands full though."

"So is he going to be hanging around Mani tonight or Bonnie because-?"

"I honestly have no idea. Klaus wants his parents to stay together tonight as a group so I know it will Jeremy, Anna and her boyfriend Christian. Maybe both of the girls will tag along."

"I'm so glad I don't have to be there for that awkward moment." Elena told him quietly.

"Everyone's about ready to leave now. It's about five minutes to six so we all need to get going."

"Mia! … Mia!" A woman's voice exclaimed.

Elena and Damon's heads both snapped up to see Mani looking around for her daughter. She started into the garage and Elena could see her sigh when she saw her daughter sleeping on her.

"Thank God! I had no idea where she went." Mani said quietly.

"Can I keep her for the night? I like having her around." Elena asked looking back and forth between the mother and daughter.

"Sure Lena, of course. I'll be with Jer all night. So if you need to give her back-"

"I won't." Elena assured her as Damon started up his car.

Mani smiled gratefully at the young girl before moving back so Damon could exit his car. Mia snuggled further into her chest as Damon pulled out into the driveway.

It was almost ten at night. Elena and Mia both had hands full of stuffed animals that Damon had won them. He was carrying Mia as Elena just trudged through the crowd with her giant blue bear leading the way. They spotted Jeremy, Anna, Klaus, Christian, Mani, Katherine, Bonnie, Caroline, Stefan and Tyler all sitting at one table talking. Katherine smirked at her twin as they approached the group.

"What is all this?" Jeremy questioned when he saw them.

"Uncle Dammy got me all these stuffed manimals. I got a puppy, a frog, a whale, a dolphin, a fishy, a rabbit, a birdy, another puppy, another birdy, a heart and I gots a giant bear. Rawr." Mia said smiling at Jeremy.

"Maybe I should have traveled with you guys. Stefan, where is my giant bear?" Katherine said to the group.

Elena just laughed sitting down at the table.

"Lena what did Damon win you?" Caroline teased.

Mia smiled dropping all her stuffed animals and walking toward Elena and the girls.

"Auntie Lena got a big blue bear, a turtle, a fishy, two birdies, three puppies and some lips kissing."

Mia laughed at the last one causing Caroline to squeal.

"Oh my God Mani, your daughter is like the cutest thing ever."

"Thank you." Mani said laughing.

Mia hugged Caroline before she said "Tank you." Caroline just squealed all over again and hugged the little girl back.

"Niklaus did Jeremy win you anything?" Damon asked.

"Daddy said I'm big enough to win on my own and I lost all the time." Klaus said with a giant pout.

"Don't worry buddy. Uncle Damon will get you something."

"Stop trying to turn my kid against me. Your attempts to win are futile." Jeremy told his friend making him laugh.

"They can't be futile if I'm winning." Damon said as Klaus climbed on his back.

The group all laughed as the two walked off toward the booths where the hugest stuffed lion was. Klaus loved lions.

"Jer, I think our son is going to trade you up." Anna said.

"Yeah right." Jeremy scoffed and Elena just laughed.

"Is the baby jealous?" Katherine teased making everyone laugh.

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