New author's note: I made it through surgery, but my recovery has been a little "bumpy." I'm now allowed to be upright a bit more, and I've been testing out my stamina on this chapter. It didn't need too many changes from its original version. I hope to get back on track soon.

Original A/N: Not much to say here in the way of an intro. It's Christmas at the Salvatore and Saltzman's. Jeremy's family is out of town, so hopefully there aren't too many little ones running around to keep track of.

Jackson, Kennedy, Madison, and Reagan are Jenna and Alaric's kids. (Quinn is Jackson's girlfriend.)

Claire, Brayden, Nathan, and Emma are Damon and Elena's kids.

There is a small jump in time in the latter part of the chapter. Hopefully it isn't anything that will leave you confused.

Thanks so much for all the wonderful reviews and support this story has received. Writing something like this is so much more worthwhile when I know people are enjoying the story.

Rating: M - adult content, violence, mild language, sensitive subject matter

The remains of a tray of cinnamon rolls sat in the midst of the dining room table. Unfinished glasses of juice sat long-abandoned in the excitement of Christmas morning. Damon gingerly stepped through the discarded wrapping paper now littering his living room floor. "We're leaving for Jenna and Ric's in five minutes. Hurry it up everybody. Let's move."

"Ready!" Brayden leapt off the stairs and positioned himself in front of his father.

Damon slowly circled his son. "What part of you can take one of your presents with you is that?" He pointed out Brayden's bulging pockets and Transformer in each hand.

"They're all Transformers." Brayden grinned hopefully, his bright blue eyes sparkling. "Only one is new. I have exactly one present with me." He held up the bright red fire truck.

"You're going to be a lawyer someday."

"That's what Mom always tells me."

Caught on a technicality. By child number four, Damon had learned to word things with no loopholes, but he had other things on his mind this morning. "You got lucky this time." Damon ruffled Brayden's dark hair as he began to climb the stairs. "Wait here. I'm going to see if your mom's ready." He carefully mounted the stairs while trying not to spill the mug of tea in his hands. Even with the lid, he splashed a bit of the hot liquid down his hands. As he opened their bedroom door, he heard Elena sigh just before the toilet flushed. He came around the corner into the bathroom just as she'd finished splashing water on her face. "Are you going to make it?"

"Right now, that's debatable." She placed her elbows on either side of the sink and leaned her forehead into her hands.

He stepped close to her and ran his hand over her back. "I can take the kids by myself. We could tell everyone you weren't feeling up to the trip."

Elena shook her head. "And then Jenna would be here in five minutes. No, I don't want to ruin everyone's Christmas morning." She slowly stood and closed her eyes.

So far, so good. At least she didn't seem to be judging the distance to the toilet. If she could stand upright and drink a few sips of tea, they might actually make it. Whether or not she'd pass the Jenna-test later was still up in the air. Their kids didn't notice she hadn't eaten breakfast, but his almost-mother-in-law would notice Elena skipping the meal, especially if Jenna made extra baked French toast. But Elena didn't need to be reminded of that now.

"If you're sure." He looked back at Elena for confirmation. "Everyone's ready. I even braided Emma's hair."

"This I have to see." Elena took a step toward the doorway and hesitated.

"Just a second," Damon pressed the cup into Elena's hand. "It's peppermint. It shouldn't make you sick. Two sips before you leave this room."

Elena frowned and shook her head. "I don't think so."

"Elena, you haven't held food down in over a week. If you don't want them to engrave your name on your own personal room at Mystic Falls General, you at least need to drink something."

"Alright." She held the steaming cup to her lips and flinched as she took her first sip. "Next time, not so hot. I'll finish it by the time we get to Jenna's."

The Saltzman house now very much resembled the mess left in the Salvatore house. Since presents could only be opened after brunch, the table was strewn with the remainders of a quickly eaten meal. The combined families had long-since learned that life was just simpler if they saved their main Christmas meal for dinner after all the kids had played with their new toys for hours.

As the pile of presents emptied from under the tree, Alaric stood to get a trash bag to clean the minor explosion of wrapping paper, bows and ribbons that now covered the floor.

"Oh, we forgot one!" Claire slid behind the tree and tugged out a present wrapped in shiny gold paper. Holding it in front of her, she proudly handed it to her mother.

"What is this?" Elena turned the heavy box over in her hands.

"We wanted to surprise you." Emma chewed her lip and rocked back and forth on her heels.

"So we hid it here at Jenna's." Nathan slid onto Damon's lap to get a better view.

Elena looked suspiciously at all the curious faces around her. "You all know what this is?"

Braydon leaned over the back of the couch. "Yep. Open it!" Brayden reached out to help.

"Not so fast." Elena pulled the present away. She gently tugged at the tape sealing the paper. "What is this?" She glanced at Damon out of the corner of her eye.

"You'll have to open it to see."

She pulled the paper away to reveal a coffee-colored leather album.

"Open it!" Nathan encouraged.

Cracking the book open, she was surprised to see her favorite picture from the photo shoot they'd done in August. When Damon had run for re-election, they'd taken a variety of family pictures to use on the campaign ad. They'd decided this picture with Damon and Elena seated on an oversized log in Fell Park was too casual, but Elena had loved it. Claire leaned over Damon's shoulder and had her arms wrapped around his neck. Brayden stood next to Elena and looked at Nathan balancing on the log behind him. Emma sat cross-legged on the ground in front of Elena and Damon. While the photographer had been posing everyone else, she gathered a bundle of dandelions and piled them in her lap. Trying to entertain herself, she had just blown on one, sending the little puffs of down into the air around them.

Elena had wanted a copy of the picture after she'd seen the proof, but the photographer said it had somehow been deleted from the memory card. "Is this why Helen couldn't give me a copy?"

"Something like that. Keep going." Damon tapped the book and smiled.

Elena turned the pages and discovered pictures that weren't at all familiar. A mixture of black and white and color images, she could tell the photographs had been taken in the fall. Pointing to a picture of Brayden and Nathan rolling in a pile of fallen leaves, she asked, "When did y'all take these?"

"You're out of town a lot." Brayden laughed.

"Really a lot." Emma added emphatically.

"It was really pretty simple to do it." Claire added from the corner of the room.

"I guess I am." She pulled Brayden close to her and kissed his cheek.

"Ewww." He crinkled his nose as he backed away.

"Do you like it?" Emma peeked at the book in her mother's lap.

Elena sniffed and wiped at the tears that had formed in her eyes. "I love it." She glanced at Jenna. "Did you know about this?"

Jenna nodded and laughed. "Someone had to co-ordinate what they were all wearing. Trust me, you didn't want to see what Damon picked out."

"They matched."

"But they looked like they were heading out for a day at the office." Jenna shook her head at the memory.

"He was going to make me wear a suit." Nathan recoiled at the thought.

"A suit, really?" Elena stifled a laugh, turning to her husband.

"He looks good with a bow tie."

"I'm sure you did." Elena winked at her son. "Thank you. All of you."

"You're welcome." Jenna answered for the group, and the spell was broken. All the offspring peeled away in search of new toys to play with, and the volume level in the living room multiplied. Jackson flinched and pointed at the stairs, clearly seeking a respite from the younger members of the family.

Jenna stood and tried to conceal a yawn before she motioned in the direction of the kitchen. "Come on, why don't you help me in the kitchen."

"Um." Damon reached out and lightly held Elena in place. "I'm not so sure..."

"I remember she's still not supposed to do much, but she can at least keep me company in the kitchen while you two keep them under control. Trust me, I'm entrusting y'all with the more difficult jobs." She pointed at kids spread out throughout the living room. Kennedy was trying to stealthily follow her brother up the stairs. "Good luck!"

Jenna walked into the kitchen, followed closely by Elena. She motioned to the bar stool pushed up to the center island as she turned on the radio. Leaning against the countertop, she folded her arms in front of her and glared. "How far along are you?"

Elena blinked at Jenna in surprise. "What?"

Jenna rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't even try to pretend." She stared at her niece. She held up a hand and began to list off her reasons while holding up a finger for each one. "You failed the alcohol test. I know you. You never turn down a mimosa. And don't try to tell me you can't drink with your pain meds. Damon already told me you stopped taking them." She held up a second finger. "You knocked Reagan over while you were running to the bathroom earlier. You didn't eat anything - not even Ric's homemade sausage rolls or the baked French toast. I made those just for you because I know those are your favorite." Jenna held up a third finger. "And, Damon's doing his protective-Damon thing." Jenna held up five fingers.

"His protective Damon thing?"

"It's cute, really." Jenna chuckled to herself. "When you're pregnant, he hovers... Well, he always hovers a little bit over you, but this is different. He looks like he's ready to go all vampire on anyone who gets too close, and he's not a vampire anymore." She raised an eyebrow in Elena's direction. "So, how many weeks?"

"Nine." Elena finally admitted without meeting Jenna's eyes.

"That means..."

"Yes it does." Elena nodded to Jenna as her aunt took a seat next to her. "I was pregnant when I had the wreck. That's why we haven't told anyone."

"Is everything ok?" All hints of teasing or irritation had disappeared from Jenna's voice. She wrapped her arm around Elena and held her close. She couldn't believe Elena had been going through this alone.

"We think so. I've been to the doctor more often this month than I think I have in an entire year. All the bloodwork looks good." She shrugged her shoulders. "He says that the morning sickness is a good sign. We get to hear the heartbeat next week."

"You should have told me." Jenna looked earnestly at Elena. "I want to be able to help you. Tomorrow, Jackson and Quinn are going to work out in the morning. Kennedy's already babysitting for Hannah. I'll come over and get your crew and take everybody ice skating. I promised Emma and Nathan I'd take them for their birthday. Adding Claire and Brayden won't be any trouble."

"Are you sure?"

Jenna stroked Elena's hair. "I want you to get some rest. And try to eat something. Promise me that."

"Rest is easy. Food..." Elena left the rest of her sentence incomplete.

"So, Jenna knows." Damon closed the bedroom door behind him after he'd finished putting all the kids to bed. The kids never slept past 5 on Christmas morning, but that meant they were happy to go to bed a little early that night. Damon had come to enjoy their Christmas evening tradition.

"She actually took it pretty well." Elena called out over the sound of the draining bathtub. She stepped into her closet and came out wearing her favorite white fluffy robe. "Volunteered to take everyone ice skating tomorrow so I could sleep. I should have told her weeks ago."

"I distinctly remember making that exact suggestion." Damon leaned against the bathroom doorway. "How did you think she was going to take it?"

"I don't know." She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "This is baby number 5. When they found out about the twins, I have a distinct memory of Ric offering to turn you back into a vampire so this wouldn't happen again."

"Well, we definitely seem to have figured out how this works." He stepped behind her and wrapped his arms lightly around her. He met her eyes in the still slightly foggy mirror and smirked.

"What?" Elena spun in his embrace and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Did you forget something?"

"Hmm - what could I have possibly forgotten?" Elena teased.

"I don't believe I saw a present from you under the tree."

"I forgot to give you your present." She feigned surprise.

"You did." He leaned down and nibbled her ear. "I was hoping it was because we needed a little privacy."

"I don't know. Maybe you didn't get one. After all, you have been naughty this year."

"Have I?"

"Very, very bad." Elena leaned up and seized his lips with hers. She tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled him closer to her. "But I still got you a present. You just have to unwrap it." She looked suggestively down at her robe.

Damon ran his fingers over her belt and stopped. Before he let a part of his anatomy much lower than his brain take over his reasoning, he stepped back. "But we're not supposed to..."

"That, my dear husband," she ran her hands down his chest, "is the second part of your gift." She stood on her her tip toes and whispered into his ear. "Dr. Meyers said I was cleared to resume normal activities."

"All normal activities?"

"Oh yes." Her lips curled into a grin. She reached behind his back and tugged his shirt off.

That was all the prodding Damon needed. He untied her robe and slid it off her shoulders - revealing a very revealing midnight blue halter babydoll nightgown. His breath caught in his chest as he studied the lace top that only emphasized the positive effects pregnancy had on her chest. The bottom tier was almost sheer, and he could clearly see her matching lace panties.

"Do you like your present?"

Damon's answer was lost as he pressed his lips to hers. He fumbled with the waist of his jeans as he led her toward the bed. He loved his present, but she wasn't going to be wearing it for long. Trailing kisses down her neck, he slid to his knees and hooked his thumbs into the waistband of her underwear. He pulled them down slowly as he looked up into Elena's eyes. As he stood, he slid his hands up over her stomach and lightly palmed her breasts before he pulled the nightgown over her hair and onto the clothes arrayed on the floor.

He backed onto the bed and held the blankets back for Elena to join him. He pulled her next to him as his lips enveloped hers. In this moment, she needed him just as much as he needed her. Unbridled desire flashed between them. His hands caressed her skin as he regarded her with a mixture of tenderness and passion. He rolled on top of her and gently stroked her hair away from her face as he peered into her chocolate brown eyes. "You have no idea how much I love you." Careful not to put too much weight on her still-tender ribs, he entwined his fingers with hers as he made love to her with a gentleness almost painful in its intensity.

January 6th

Thunder rumbled in the distance, startling Elena awake. The first hint of gray light filtered through the edge of the windows. She reached for Damon, but found only a warm spot on the bed beside her.

He peeked through the blinds and came back to bed. "Thundersnow. I'll never get used to that." He pulled her soundly against his side and ran his hand over her bare stomach. They'd heard the baby's heartbeat at the doctor's office the day before, and he'd never heard such a reassuring sound. "I'm not sure if they'll be having school today. Need me to stay home?"

"No." Elena stretched and yawned. "We'll be fine. If I need help, I'll call in Quinn for backup."

"You sure?" He raised an eyebrow.

"You just want an excuse to stay home from work and make snowmen."

"Is there anything wrong with that?"

Elena gave him a playful shove. "You're the mayor."

"You had to play the responsible adult card." Damon ran his hand over Elena's stomach. He knew he was imagining it, but he could almost feel the slightest hint of a bulge. "You be good to your mom today." He bent over and kissed her stomach. "She needs to eat. Don't make her sick." He stood and walked to the shower as Elena turned on the television to watch for the list of school closings.

She piled Damon's pillows behind her as she pulled the blankets up over her lap. "Could you toss me my nightgown?"

"Unless you want to go for round two." Damon loved this part of Elena being pregnant. She was almost as easily turned on as he was.

"I'm pretty sure that was about midnight." She pulled the cotton gown over her head. "And that's when I thought the kids were going to school today. If it's snowing, they'll be awake any second." She frowned as she saw Mystic Falls schools scroll across the bottom of the screen. "I'm going back to sleep while I still can." She tugged the blankets over her head and nestled down in the covers.

"Mom! Dad!" A herd of elephants ran down the hallway. Brayden and Nathan tumbled into the room.

"Good call on those recreational activities." Damon pulled the door to the bathroom shut.

"It's snowing!" Nathan jumped onto the bed and began jumping up and down.

"Oh, no jumping." Elena patted the bed.

"Do we have school?" Brayden looked through the window.

Elena shook her head and rubbed her eyes. "Nope. They just called it off."

The boys looked at each other and ran from their parents' bedroom. "Awesome!"

"Don't wake up your sisters!" Elena rolled to look at the clock, not even 7. Why weren't they this easy to wake on a normal school day? Elena's words fell on deaf ears and soon she was joined in bed by all four of her children.

"What's for breakfast?" Emma blinked eagerly at Elena.

"I can make oatmeal."

"I think we'll wait for Dad to get out of the shower." Claire seemed to speak for all the kids.

"Well, then, y'all go ... somewhere while I get dressed." Elena pointed to the doorway. "Not outside. I'm not ready to clean slush out of the hallway yet. I at least need coffee first."

"Then hurry up." The twins were already racing down the stairs. "We need to get outside before it's all footprint-y."

"We need to be first!"

Elena tied Emma's scarf under her chin as she surveyed her children. They'd devoured their pancakes before hustling up the stairs to get dressed. Now, they were more than ready to go outside to play in the snow.

"Start in the backyard. Let's try not to wake everyone on the street." Elena walked into the hall to pull her jacket out of the closet. As she tugged her gloves on, she heard muffled shouts from outside the door.

"No fair!" Nathan stamped his foot.

"What isn't fair?" Elena stepped out the back door as she adjusted her scarf.

Brayden pointed at the ground indignantly. "Someone else has already been in our snow."

"What?" Elena stepped into the ankle-deep snow walked to take a closer look. She swallowed thickly and called out over her shoulder. "Claire, go get your dad. Everyone else, stay on the porch." She turned and studied the broken line of snow leading back to the edge of the woods she'd always loved. Now those very woods seemed sinister as she realized they cloaked a danger to her entire family.

"Elena?" Damon shooed their children inside the house.

Elena didn't answer, she merely pointed at the footsteps in the ground - directly outside their kitchen windows. Not even a dusting of snow filled the tracks despite the still-falling snow. Someone was watching them. And whoever or whatever it was had just left.