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"This has got to be the worst thunderstorm since we moved back here," Rebekah commented.

"That rain is ice cold too," Stefan said. "Of course it's January so I hope it doesn't turn into actual ice. The weatherman swears the temperature isn't supposed to drop that low but that probably means we'll wake up to two inches of ice!" Stefan scoffed as he took off his grey pea coat and hung it up. "Here's the AB positive you wanted."

"Thank you and I'm so sorry," Rebekah kissed Stefan.

Three hours later – a little after midnight – she had Stefan wide awake. The pains that had been subtle at first had gotten stronger. It still wasn't enough to cause her even any real discomfort but Rebekah had been training herself to pay attention to these minor pains so she would know.

"Stefan I'm having the baby," she said as he sat up beside her.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm certain Stefan. This is it. You need to call the others." She squeezed his hand. Stefan was on the phone a moment later.

"Elijah I'm sorry to disturb you but Rebekah says it's time," Stefan said before he hung up. In less than ten minutes Elijah, Elena, Kol and Bonnie had arrived all putting up umbrellas and hanging up their uber-stylish wool coats despite the fact that Bonnie's the only one that could get cold. Twenty minutes after that Caroline and Klaus made it.

Two hours into her labor which thankfully wasn't that painful for a vampire and the lights went out. Klaus and Caroline were sterilizing instruments in the kitchen, Kol had been getting out the sterilized towels Elijah wanted and Bonnie was just returning to the bedroom when they were all plunged into darkness. Elena was next to Elijah on the bed ready to offer any assistance that she could.

Bonnie closed her eyes and concentrated a moment. All of the candles throughout the house lit and Kol smiled. They brought extra candles into the bedroom as well as flashlights so Elijah would have something to work by.

"Okay Bekah, it's time for you to start pushing now. Human level pushes okay? Concentrate on being delicate…"

"I'm always delicate!" Rebekah growled. Her nerves were beginning to get the better of her and she was just ready for the baby to be here already. Elijah just smiled patiently.

"You're almost there Rebekah."

Twenty minutes later Elijah marveled as his niece slipped the rest of the way into his hands. She was bald as all blonde babies are but it was her coloring that alarmed him. Rebekah noticed faster than he would have liked.

"She's not crying…Elijah…why isn't she crying? Elijah do something!" his sister's panic was rising. Calmly Elijah checked the newborn's mouth and then gripped the baby by the ankles and holding her completely upside down he spanked her back a couple of times while the rest of the family watched in nervous anticipation.

Almost immediately the baby girl began to grow pink and pretty while a horrible wail came forth. Stefan hugged Rebekah who was crying in relief. Elijah wrapped the baby while Stefan cut the cord and then Elijah brought the baby to Rebekah. He sat down carefully next to her.

"She's very fragile Rebekah. You have to remember to support the head at all times. Babies can be injured very easily," he cautioned.

"Can you give her to Stefan?" Rebekah asked. Elijah nodded and passed the baby carefully into Stefan's waiting arms where he positioned her in front of her mother. Rebekah smiled with satisfaction that no one had ever seen before.

"Hello Kayleigh Stefine Mikaelson-Salvatore. Welcome to the world."

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A week later Stefan was rather surprised to see Damon on his doorstep.

"I hear you're a father," Damon said. "I brought a gift." He held up the bag. Stefan invited Damon in knowing that Rebekah was back up to fighting form and no one was going to best her when it came to their daughter.

"Rebekah, Damon's here to see the baby," Stefan said. Rebekah appeared a moment later and she was carrying her blanket-clad daughter in her arm. Stefan watched as Damon's face took on a look of wonder.

"She's beautiful," Damon smiled sincerely. He handed the gift bag to Stefan and stepped closer to admire the baby. "I can't believe you have a daughter…that the Salvatore line will continue."

"Would you like to hold her?" Rebekah offered and Stefan was surprised that she had done so. She prepared Damon's arms and then carefully settled his niece in them. "Make sure you support the head and be very careful with her." Damon stared down at the cherubic little face of his niece. She truly was beautiful. He had never thought of his brother as having children when they were living and once they'd been turned it had become a non-thought. Now he was holding a Salvatore descendant.

"She's beautiful," he said again not realizing he was repeating himself as he gazed into the infant's blue eyes.

"Thank you," Rebekah smiled, "and thank-you for the gift; the gown is lovely – so much lace and the silver engraved rattle I will treasure for all time." Damon settled on the couch and played with his newborn niece while Stefan and Rebekah looked on.

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