Chapter 17
Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I'm just borrowing. Only the story is mine.
Note: Previously, in "Hunter's Moon," Katherine escapes from prison and helps Elijah rescue Elena from Silas and Tyler, who are then arrested for the murders they've committed.
Hello, everyone! It's been a while since I updated (the last time being March 15), but it was hard to be inspired to do much. Without further ado, I suppose I should conclude this story. No spoilers, just follow along.
Six Months Later...
Elena smiled as she looked at the nursery, gently placing her hand on her belly. It was getting close to her due date and every day was nothing short of exciting. Caroline had gone into labor early and she had given birth to twin girls, Stefania Josephine and Lillian Elizabeth. Despite the fact that they were both early, they were welcomed wholeheartedly by the rest of the family, especially their big sister, Cora, and their ecstatic grandmother, Elisabetta.
As she continued to gaze at the furniture in the room, Elena couldn't help but anticipate the impending arrival of her new one, as well as getting to use this room. It was one of the things she and Damon were looking forward to. They had put in their resignation from the force shortly after Damon was released from the hospital. There was really no need for them to continue, especially now that Silas and Tyler were in jail for their crimes. Besides, Captain Forbes had plenty of other officers on the squad.
"Someone's anxious."
The familiar, velvety voice of her husband startled Elena out of her reverie just then. Instead of being annoyed by it, she simply smiled at him. "I know I shouldn't, but looking at how nice the nursery looks, it just...makes me anticipate actually getting to use it. Damon, you men are lucky that you don't experience the things we women experience."
"That's true, but that doesn't mean we don't wish that we could do it for you," said Damon. "I mean, male sea horses carry their mate's eggs in their bellies, and the male Emperor penguins get the task of protecting the eggs while the female goes off hunting." He saw the look she was giving him. "I know that you're neither a sea horse nor an Emperor penguin, I'm just giving examples."
Elena was about to answer him when she was cut off by a searing pain and when she looked down, she saw a flood of liquid on the floor. "Damon, I think this is it. Get me to the hospital...now."
Damon nodded and, after grabbing the suitcase he had packed in advance so that he didn't have to rush about, took Elena by the arm and escorted her out to the car, after which he helped her in and drove off to the hospital.
As they drove away from the house, Damon assisted his wife in her breathing. He knew that he should also be calling Elisabetta and letting her know what was happening, but he made a mental note to call as soon as they got to the hospital.
Later...
It wasn't long before Damon and Elena arrived at their destination and, since they had a dry run prior to this, the staff knew to expect them. Damon helped her into the wheelchair, kissing her forehead gently and, after telling her he'd be up shortly, he watched the orderly wheel her away and after he was alone, he dialed his mother's number. After several rings, he heard her pick up. "Hello?"
"Mom, it's Damon. Elena just went into labor and we're here at the hospital."
"I had a feeling that would happen shortly after Caroline had the twins," she replied. "Nevertheless, I'm glad that you've called me to let me know. Where in the hospital are you, Damon?"
"The waiting room," said Damon. "They just wheeled Elena upstairs and I told her that I'd join her shortly. I tell you, Mom, even though this is technically my third time, it feels like the first time all over again."
"I'm sure it feels that way for Elena too," said Elisabetta. "Now, don't worry about Stefan, I'll call him and let him know. You focus on helping your wife, okay?"
"Okay, Mom, I will," said Damon. "I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart," said Elisabetta. "Go on up to Elena and I'll see you soon."
After telling his mother he loved her one more time, Damon hung up and pocketed his phone. He then rode the elevator up to the fifth floor, which housed the maternity ward. He arrived at Elena's room to see her already in her hospital gown and in the bed. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Hey, you."
Damon returned her smile. "Hey, gorgeous. I was on the phone with Mom, letting her know that we're here. She's going to handle calling Stefan so that I can focus on assisting you in the delivery."
"That's good," said Elena. "Your mother is going to have quite a time with these grandchildren that she's been getting. I mean, she already has Christian and Ana from us, Cora and now Stefania and Lillian from Stefan and Caroline. Now, she's going to get another one from us. Though, I might get a surprise like last time and have another set of twins. Hell, it might even be triplets."
No sooner did she say that than she felt yet another pain, which alerted the doctors into the room. Damon climbed into the bed and sat behind her, holding her hands. After she received the command to push, Elena pushed as hard as she could, squeezing Damon's hands in the process.
Several pushes later, Elena was rewarded by the sound of a baby crying. She heard them saying that she had a beautiful little girl and felt Damon kissing the side of her head. The baby was then cleaned and weighed before being given to her parents. Elena smiled as she took the bundle in her arms.
"Hello, little girl. I'm your mommy." She looked at Damon. "And that's your daddy."
"She's beautiful, just like you," said Damon. "What do you think we should name her."
"I'm thinking maybe we can name her after Caroline. Carrie Veronica Salvatore."
Damon liked the sound of that name, but before he could say anything to that extent, Elena felt another wave of pain hit her. Shit, I'm think I have more than one, just like last time. The doctors responded to it and, just like before, Elena pushed as hard as her muscles would allow, with Damon right behind her, coaching her.
"Damon, I can't do this," she said. "It hurts too much."
"No, cara mia, I'm not going to let you give up, not when we're this close to getting another set of twins," said Damon. "Forget about the pain. Just focus on me, and how happy we're going to be once the next baby is out."
Elena wanted to protest, but decided against it, knowing that Damon was right. Instead replying verbally, she pushed again, this time a bit harder, and just like before, she was rewarded with the sound of a baby crying. She heard the doctors announce that this one was a boy and she let out that sounded like the cross between a sob and a laugh. Damon smiled again and kissed her cheek.
"We have a little boy, Elena," he said. "What should we name him?"
"Damian. Damian Marcus Salvatore," she replied. "That way, he'll sort of be named after his father."
"That sounds good to me," said Damon. "Carrie Veronica and Damian Marcus. Those are perfect names for our new twins." He chuckled. "Though, we may have to get another crib, since we thought we were just going to get one baby out of the deal."
Elena was about to agree with him when another wave of pain hit her, which Damon immediately noticed. "Elena, either God has a really warped sense of humor, or you're about to have a third baby."
"Shit, and I was only kidding about the triplets thing."
Then, like the two times before it, the doctors told Elena to push and, like the two times before it, Elena pushed, screaming through the pain and grasping onto Damon's hands. After what seemed like forever, the third baby was finally delivered, another girl. Elena smiled through the tears that were coming down her cheeks.
"Looks like we have three girls and two boys now," he said. "Stefan and Caroline will have some catching up to do, since they just have three girls."
Elena ignored him and said, "I have a good name for this little girl. Gianna Rene Salvatore."
"I like it," said Damon. "It fits her perfectly."
Elena smiled in agreement. She was relieved when there weren't any more contractions to be had, especially since she doubted she could deal with any more. Carrie, Damian, and Gianna were all here, with all thirty little fingers and all thirty little toes.
She gave Damon a soft kiss on his lips. "I love you, Damon."
"I love you too, cara mia," her husband replied. "I love you and our children. I don't care how many we have. The only thing I care about is that they're all beautiful and healthy."
Note: I think this is a great place to end it, don't you? Thank you for joining me on this journey!
~ FIN