Previously in "Pages in Between", Bridget, Finn and Sage's middle child, arrives at the Salvatore summer estate to see her aunt and uncle. Colin proposes to Tanya.
Chapter Twenty
Tuscany, Italy – After Breakfast…
Bridget left the house where she had a short reunion, and breakfast, with one of her favorite sets of relatives.
Upstairs – That Same Moment…
Klaus gave Colin a stern look. "Let me ask you something, Colin. Do you really love Tanya or are you going to leave her broken-hearted?"
"I really love Tanya, Uncle Nik," he replied. "I meant every word of my proposal. I was a fool to break things off with her. I know Liam and Carrie aren't exactly thrilled about it, but I have every intention of making her my wife."
"Well, then," Klaus said, a smirk crossing onto his lips. "We should find someone to marry you two."
Colin nodded. "What about Liam and Carrie?"
"Never mind them. I'll handle them," his uncle replied. "You just focus on Tanya and your impending nuptials."
Two Days Later…
Tanya glanced toward the chapel doors a final time. "I thought he'd be here by now," she said, referring to her dad.
Maria saw her looking toward the doors. "He'll be here, Tanya. There's no way that he'd miss his daughter's wedding. Meghan would make sure of it."
"I hope you're right," she replied. "He knows how important this is to me."
"And he does know," a voice said from behind her. Tanya turned to smile broadly at her father when he appeared, tears leaking at the corners of her eyes as she ran to hug him tightly.
"Oh, Daddy," she said. "I'm so glad you're here."
Tyler smiled and kissed her forehead after pulling back, smiling again as he wiped away her tears. "I'd do anything for my little girl, my little princess," he said softly.
Tanya nodded. "I love you, Daddy."
"I love you too, sweetheart," Tyler said. "I'm so proud of you." He kissed her forehead again. "Come one, let's get you married."
"Okay, Daddy," she said with another sniffle as she took his arm and he began walking her up the aisle toward Colin, Klaus and Elijah, who had also come to see his eldest son exchange vows with the love of his life.
From their place in the pews, Carrie and Liam held hands, watching as Tyler walked Tanya up the aisle. They still weren't thrilled about this wedding, but Klaus told them that they should try to be supportive, even if they didn't completely agree with it.
After the Wedding…
Elijah and Katherine approached Tyler and Meghan, and Tatiana standing nearby. "We're so honored that you allowed us to have the wedding here, Mayor Lockwood," the Brit said.
"Ah, it's Senator Lockwood now," Tyler said with a smirk.
Katherine blinked. "Senator Lockwood? Does this mean that you'll be running for President eventually?"
"You never know," Tyler said with a mysterious smile.
Tatia smiled. "Yes, Tyler has a lot of political ambition. I wouldn't be surprised if we see a Lockwood in the White House."
Meghan turns and glares at the other woman. "We'll see. I'd have to transfer the practice to Washington, D.C., or somewhere close to it," she told her stepdaughter's new mother-in-law and father-in-law.
Elijah nodded. "Still, it seems like an obtainable goal." He also glared at Tatia. "I suppose you had those same ambitions, Tatiana?"
Tatia smiled. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't."
She saunters away to talk to her daughter and Meghan turns to Tyler. "I don't understand how you two ever…" She gives an almost violent shudder before turning and heading out of the chapel.
Tyler excused himself and hurried after his wife. "Meghan, wait!"
Tanya glared at her mother in the meantime. "I don't know what has gotten into you, Mom. You're always being rude to Meghan, and to Dad," she said as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"I loved your father, Tanya," Tatia said. "I thought we were going to be together forever." She sighed. "He came into my life when I needed someone the most. After losing Nik to his little blonde tramp, I just…I didn't know where to turn. You could say that your father and I saved each other from misery. When we got married and had you, I thought I was finally getting my happily ever after." Her face softened a bit. "I wish I had it like what you're getting with Colin." She sneered. "Then, Meghan came and screwed everything up."
"Meghan loves Dad, Mom. Probably a little more than you ever did," Tanya said as she glanced over at Colin when he came over. "Please, Mom, for me, back off? You are not in control of Dad any more."
"I can't promise that, Tanya," Tatia said. "Your father hurt me by choosing Meghan over me, just like Nik hurt me by choosing Caroline over me."
"I chose Caroline for good reason, Tatiana."
Tatia turned and saw Klaus approaching. "How much of our conversation did you hear, Nik?"
"Enough to know that you'll never change," Klaus said. "And as I said earlier, I chose Caroline because she loved me for me, and not for my body or my money, like you did. Now, for your daughter's sake, back off. Tyler is with a woman who truly loves him. The sooner you realize that, the better."
Tatia fumed and went to slap him, but Klaus caught her wrist and twisted it behind her back, whispering harshly into her ear, "That little stunt didn't work when you tried it twenty years ago, so what made you think it would work now?"
Tatia grabbed her arm back then stomped out of the chapel.
Klaus watched his ex walk away and sighed, shaking his head. When was Tatia going to learn to back off? He was still watching when Caroline came up to him, taking his hand.
"You did well, Nik."
"I just wish Tatia would let things go."
"Knowing my mother, she'll fight tooth and nail until she gets what she wants…again," Tanya said before she turned to Colin. "Are you ready to go on our honeymoon, Colin?"
Colin nodded and kissed her. "I'm ready whenever you are, love."
"I'm ready now. Too much drama going on and I don't want my stress level to go up," Tanya replied.
Colin nodded. "All right, we'll go now."
Tanya was about to reply when Carrie came up to them, followed by Liam. After a few minutes, she hugged her friend and said, "Congratulations, Tanya. I'm sorry if we didn't react positively."
Liam nodded. "Yeah, we were rather childish. Do you think you two can find it in your hearts to forgive us?"
Colin smiled and took his cousin's hand firmly in his own, shaking it before hugging him. "We already have, cousin."
Tanya and Carrie hugged as well then pulled back to smile at each other. "Have fun on your honeymoon," Carrie said as she moved back to Liam's side, clasping his hand firmly with hers.
Tanya nodded. "We will. We'll even send pictures."
Liam smiled. "We'd like that very much."
With that, Tanya and Colin went toward the limo that would take them to the airport.
Outside, Tyler was still trying to calm Meghan down. "I HATE HER. WHY IS SHE ALWAYS TRYING TO INSINUATE HER WAY BACK INTO YOUR LIFE?"
Tyler sighed. "I don't know, Meghan. Tatia is insecure and that's why she's so possessive. I did love her at one point, but it wasn't the kind of love I have for you."
Meghan nodded then pulled him to her. "Promise me that she won't come between us…EVER?" she asked softly.
Tyler nodded. "I promise you, Meghan, Tatia will never come between us. I love you and only you."
His wife nodded again then kissed him softly. "Let's go back to our hotel. I am suddenly in dire need to have you," she said with a smirk.
Tyler smiled. "That's good, because I'm in dire need to have you too."
Later…
By the time the couple crossed the threshold of their hotel suite, Tyler had lost his shirt and he had lowered the zipper at the back of the teal dress she wore for the wedding.
Meghan then pushed Tyler onto the bed and followed after him onto the sheets, attacking his lips savagely as she let her hands roam all over his body, trembling at the feel of his bare chest against her fingers.
Tyler groaned low at the feel of her fingers on his dark-skinned chest then sat up and pressed open-mouthed kisses along her throat and shoulder.
Meghan let out a moan as she felt Tyler kissing her neck and shoulder, as well as his hands fully removing her dress and heard it falling to the floor.
"Tyler, please…" she gritted out as his mouth continued to brush over the skin of her upper body.
Tyler smiled against her skin. "Please what, baby?"
"Don't tease me," she replied. "Just…take me."
"As you wish," her husband said before lifting her up and lowering her back onto the bed. His hands traveled up her legs then stopped at her waist to begin lowering her silk panties over her legs and deposited them onto the floor.
Meghan trembled under his touch and, against her will, let out a scream of pleasure. This caused Tyler to do the same as he moved up her body, fighting back a groan but sitting back, sitting her up and bringing her hands to the waist of his pants.
Meghan moved her hands to his belt, loosening it before going to the button and zipper, undoing them before playing with the waistband of his boxers.
"Meghan, baby," Tyler said from between gritted teeth.
Meghan licked her lips at his response and pulled down his boxers, along with his pants. She then took his hands and helped him take off her bra, which she tossed to the floor. Once they were completely naked, Tyler rolled over so that he was on top, grabbed her hips, and then glided into her, thrusting hard and fast. Meghan moved her hips in time with his thrusts, panting and then letting out a scream so loud, she was afraid her vocal chords would shatter.
2 Hours Later…
"I think I'm so lucky to find an irresistible man like you," Meghan said as she sat looking down at her husband.
Tyler smiled at her. "I think it's the other way around. I think I'm lucky to find an irresistible woman like you."
Meghan kissed him. "Oh, and I have some news that I think you'll love. I went to the doctor the other day because I wasn't feeling very well and…well, let's just say that you'll be holding someone other than me in your arms pretty soon."
Tyler's eyes went wide. "We're going to have a baby?"
"Yes, we are," Meghan said. "I was going to tell you earlier, but I didn't want to upstage Tanya because this was her day."
Tyler smiled and sat up to kiss her again. "I'm going to be a father again!" he said excitedly.
Meghan returned his kiss and placed his hand on her belly. "Yes, you are. There's no one I would rather have as my baby's father than you, Tyler Mason Lockwood."
Tyler leaned down to kiss her belly. "I love you so much, Meghan Rita Fell-Lockwood. I also love our baby."
"That's good, because we love you too, Daddy," she said before pushing him back onto the bed and straddling his hips.
Tyler smiled at Meghan. "My beautiful, pregnant wife," he said.
In Paris…
Tanya giggled as Colin pulled her close and kissed her cheek while they posed for the picture he soon took of them in front of the Eiffel Tower.
After the picture was taken, Colin smiled at his new wife. "Are you having a good time, love?"
"Oh, I'm having the best time," she replied. "And I have you to thank for it."
Colin grinned then pulled her in for a kiss. "I love you so, so much, Tanya Lockwood-Mikaelson," he said softly.
Tanya smiled against his lips and returned his kiss. "I love you too, Colin Mikaelson."
"I thought of a perfect name for our baby, whether it be a girl or a boy," he told her as they began walking after their kiss.
"Oh, really, and what name would that be?" Tanya said.
"Michael or Michaela," Colin replied. "I want to name him or her after Grandfather."
"Michaela is a beautiful name for a girl," Tanya said. "And it's a very fitting tribute to your grandfather."
"Michaela it is then," Colin said. "Wait, did you say Michaela? Are we having a baby girl?"
Tanya nodded. "Yes, we are."
Colin gave a yell of triumph, earning them a few looks as he picked Tanya up bridal style and whirled her around.
Tanya laughed as Colin twirled her around in his arms. When he stopped, she kissed him passionately.
"I love you!" they said in unison after ending the kiss.
Meanwhile…
Andrea walked ahead of Dante as they walked up to her grandparents' chateau in France.
Dante smiled as he got a look at the mansion. "Wow, this is nice."
"Isn't it, though?" Andrea said. "It's just perfect, especially for us."
"Are you sure that we can afford it, though?" Dante said as he kissed her softly.
Andrea smiled and returned his kiss. "Dante, what kind of a silly question is that? Of course we can afford it. After all, the Salvatore family is wealthy, being one of the Founding families of Mystic Falls."
"I know that, my dear Andrea, but I do also make a lousy pay as a photographer," he reminded her as they stood with his arms wrapped around her very pregnant stomach.
Andrea smiled. "That's because you don't have enough clients that appreciate the work that you do. I know I appreciate it."
Dante grinned then swept her into his arms and carried her toward the stairs. "How long do you think your grandparents will be out?"
Andrea giggled. "I think they'll be out long enough for us to have a little fun."
"Well then," Dante said. "Let's not waste any time."
Once they got to the top of the stairs, Andrea made a face that looked to be filled with pain. "Dante, I think you should go find someone or call my grandma. My water just broke," she told him softly.
Dante's eyes went wide. "You mean you're having the baby now? But, I thought we had time yet."
"Tell that to the baby," Andrea said. "Now, if you would please, Dante…put me down and get help!"
Dante nodded and, finding a comfortable room, gently laid Andrea down on the bed and took out his cell phone, frantically searching his contacts until he came across Andrea's grandmother's number. He clicked on it, and after several rings, he heard Theresa's voice on the other end. "Hello?"
"Theresa, this is Dante," he replied. "We're at the chateau. Andrea's water broke and we need you to come right away."
On the other end, Theresa gave her husband a panicked gaze and he nodded, turning her toward home after paying for their market purchases, carrying them as she continued to instruct their granddaughter's fiancé.
Dante tried to remain as calm as he could, especially since he didn't want to raise Andrea's stress levels. This was a stressful enough situation as it was, and he didn't want to make it worse.
On the bed, Andrea began to practice her breathing, timing each wave of contractions that came with her cell phone.
Dante smiled at Andrea as she practiced her breathing. He couldn't be prouder of her than he was right now.
Several Hours Later…
"You are doing wonderfully, Andrea, just keep breathing. In, out, in, out," Theresa coached her granddaughter.
Andrea nodded and kept breathing, feeling the sweat as it cascaded down her face. She felt another wave of pain hit her and she leaned forward to push. "Ugh, I just want it out of me!"
Theresa nodded. "I know, dear, and you'll be meeting your baby very shortly. Just breathe and push for me, okay?"
Andrea nodded and sat back against the mound of pillows, practicing more on her breathing.
Theresa looked down and saw the baby's head crowning. "It's crowning."
Andrea leaned forward again to push once more, softly screaming in pain before she heard the first cries of her baby. "It's a girl!" Theresa said as she began cleaning off the baby.
Andrea smiled. "She's beautiful." Another wave of pain hit her and she leaned forward to push for the second time.
Theresa saw the second baby's head crowning. "You're doing great, Andrea. You'll have this one out in no time."
After the Twins' Birth…
Dante comes into the room, smiling at his fiancé as she rested in the bed with her grandmother holding one baby, Andrea holding the other as it fed from her breastbone.
Dante smiled as the baby was placed in his arms. "They're beautiful, Andrea."
"Danielle Aubrey and Matilda Kathleen Salvatore," Andrea told him, pointing to which baby was which.
Dante smiled. "I like those names. They definitely fit them."
"I thought Aubrey would like us to at least name one of our babies after her. She was a great cousin, and she is going to be missed."
Dante nodded. "Yes, Aubrey was a great person. I miss her already."
Andrea nods as they switch babies, smiling as Mattie latches onto her breast quickly. "She was always the glue that held our group together," she says softly.
Author's Note: A pretty long chapter, but it ended on a good note! We hope you come back for more soon!