Story: Elena's Baby

Chapter: Meet Ava

Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries nor do I own the characters. I just own this plot and I own some of these characters. Trust me, if I owned The Vampire Diaries, it'd be much different.


May 21st 2008

6 pounds 8 ounces. That's how much it weighed, that's how much she weighed. She was precious to me since the moment she was born and she will forever be precious to me. She is my only link to him after he disappeared on me 8 months ago, but it doesn't matter. None of it matters anymore, the only thing that matters is her.

She was born out of love. She was cared for and nurtured for 9 full months out of love, and she will spend the rest of her eternity being loved.

She was wrapped in a beautiful pink blanket after being cleaned off by the doctors and handed over to me in an instant. From that moment on, I knew her. I knew her face, I knew her cheeks, I knew her hair. All the qualities of him. Once she opened her eyes, I knew what I was going to name her.

"Ma'am, we need you to sign off on her name. We need to legalize her surname so we can name her bed in the nursery for the next couple of days, and then you can decide on her first name," the nurse said softly.

I couldn't respond, I was completely mesmerized by her delicacy and her fragile form.

"Ma'am, her surname please?" The nurse began to get impatient.

"Salvatore," I replied, "Ava Salvatore."


January 26th 2012

"Mommy," Ava called from her bedroom across the hall.

Elena scratched her head and pushed the covers from atop of her. It was the fifth time tonight that Ava woke up in the middle of the night. Elena rubbed her eyes tiredly and snuck a peek at the clock. 5:42 am, well, it was time to get up anyway.

She walked down the hall into Ava's bedroom and smiled at her daughter's grin and outstretched arms.

"Hi princess," Elena stroked her hair while giving into Ava's embrace.

"I can't sleep Mommy," Ava pouted. When she pouted, this just made Elena want to tear up and hold her forever. This was the exact carbon copy of the face that used to love her.

"Why not?" Elena pouted back.

"I keep having nightmares with werewolves in them," Ava said with tears in her eyes. It pained Elena to hear her daughter say this because there was nothing she could do. They were surrounded by supernatural beings everywhere they were.

"Oh honey, there's nothing to be scared about. Nothing's going to hurt you, you know that right?" Elena forced a smile upon her face. She didn't want to lie to her because if anyone should know the dangers, it would be Elena, but there was nothing she could do but try to get her daughter's nightmares to go away.

"I know, but they're so scary in my dreams," Ava shivered.

"Don't worry sweetie, mommy's here. I won't let anyone hurt you, I promise," Elena smiled and snuggled up to her daughter.

Elena woke up with her daughter in her arms sleeping peacefully and smiled. She untangled herself from her arms and walked over to the door, shutting it lightly before re-wrapping her robe around herself and walking downstairs into the kitchen. She sauntered over to the stainless steel fridge and pulled out milk, strawberries, syrup, and whipped cream. She grabbed pancake mix from the pantry and began making her daughter her favourite breakfast to make her day better after her nightmares.

Elena had been having nightmares of her own too, but they were an often occurrence. She had nightmares about losing business in her café, losing her workers, and most of all, the big dinner she was hosting tonight at her house.

You see, tonight was a big night for Elena. She was hosting a dinner tonight for all of her family and closest friends in Mystic Falls. Elena and Ava lived in New York when she was studying culinary arts and business management at NYU while everyone else was scattered around the world. Now, coincidently, everyone was back in Mystic Falls and was going to Elena's for a party tonight.

She sighed as she turned on the pancake grill in the kitchen and began mixing the pancakes. She needed everything to be ready by 6 and she had nothing done. She lost count at the number of people coming over tonight. Elena poured medium sized circular pancakes on the grill and waited for them to be done. When she finished all the pancakes, she stacked them all on a plate and placed it on the island table in the kitchen.

She poured two glasses of milk and placed them on the other side of the island table with the barstools. Since it was only her and Ava this morning for breakfast and it was going to be quick she decided that the island table would be better suitable. Elena smiled as she took two pancakes from the stack and put them on Ava's plate. She grinned as she thought of a great way to make Ava laugh.

Elena cut all of the strawberries in half and put them all around the round ends of the pancakes to make it look like a sun. She put two dots of whipped cream with two blueberries on them on the pancake to make eyes, a chocolate chip for a nose, and a two cut apple slices to make a mouth. Then chocolate syrup on the inner part of the strawberries and pancake ends to make it look like hair.

Happy with the way her masterpiece turned out, she poured Ava a cup of milk in her sippy cup and served herself. She put three pancakes staked together on her plate and the rest of the discarded food materials she used on Ava's food and put them on her pancakes topped off with maple syrup, with a mug of coffee. She put away the rest of the ingredients she didn't use in the fridge and walked upstairs to Ava's room.

She smiled at her daughters sleeping form and went over to her.

"Honey, wake up," Elena grinned as Ava opened her eyes timidly.

"Why?" Ava pouted.

"Because I have a surprise for you downstairs and it's time to get up, it's already 9:30!" Elena exclaimed softly.

"Okay," she smiled and took her mom's hand as they walked downstairs and into the kitchen.

Ava saw the food on the island table and instinctively ran towards it, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Mommy, my favourite! You made it! Exactly how I like it too!" Ava beamed.

"Yes I did, didn't I. I know you like the back of my hand, my baby," Elena smiled and helped her up on the bar stool. These stools were custom made to match the design in the kitchen and also have a backing so that people could lean against it while sitting on it, like an actual chair.

Elena and Ava ate their food, laughed, made jokes, and talked about amusing things until Elena realized the time and began to clean up. "Baby, do you remember what we're going to do today?" Elena asked.

"Yup yup, Aunt Katherine is coming over today after lunch and we're going to make the house very purdy!" Ava beamed while trying to help her mom clean. She always helped her mom clean up, it was only ever them two. Unless it was the rare occasion that Uncle Stefan and Aunt Katherine or Uncle Jeremy showed up, but other than that it was always them too. Ava, not wanting her mom to do everything, decided along the way she wanted to help out. Now, it's an everyday occurrence and Ava helps Elena out whenever she can.

"Yeah, make the house look very purdy," Elena laughed. She squatted down to Ava's level and smiled at her, "You know baby, I appreciate your help. You're mommy's little helper, aren't you? But for now, leave this to mommy and go make your bed upstairs, then we'll go get ready, go to the store, and buy stuff for tonight. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good momma," Ava smiled giving a cute and sloppy kiss on Elena's cheek before going to her room. Elena chuckled at her beautiful baby girl. She washed all the dishes, dried them, and put them away before cleaning off the table and wiping it down with some disinfectant wipes.

Ava came running downstairs and towards the door, "Mommy there's someone at the door!" Elena panicked when Ava almost reached the door and wrapped her arms around her, picking her up.

"How do you know?" Elena asked.

"I heard the footsteps from upstairs, the doorbell will ring, now," and as she said it, it rang. Elena raised her eyebrows at her in confusion. How did Ava hear all of that if Elena couldn't?

Elena shifted Ava onto her hip and opened the door.

"Okay, so I'm early, sue me," a sarcastic but warm voice emitted from the person at the door.

"Katherine," Elena rolled her eyes and smiled, opening the door wider for her to step into the house.

"Duh, who else?" Katherine smirked.

"Aunt Katherine!" Ava smiled and outstretched her arms for Katherine.

"Hi princess! How are you? Did you guys have yummy pancakes this morning?" Katherine smirked at her lovingly.

"Yeah, momma made them! How did you know?" Ava's mouth hanging wide open, Elena chuckling from the side closing the door.

"Maybe because you haven't brushed your teeth yet and I can smell the pancakes from you, little miss. C'mon, chop chop. Go brush your teeth and then mommy and I will help you get ready so we can go out and get ready for the party tonight!" Katherine smiled, putting Ava on the ground, giving her a big kiss on her cheek.

"Okay, I'll tell you when I'm done!" Ava smiled and ran to the washroom.

Elena smiled at Katherine who was beaming at her. She used her vampire perks and blurred in front of Elena and hugged her tightly. Elena laughed and hugged back just as tight, if not, tighter.

"I missed you," Katherine said, resting her head on Elena's shoulder.

"I've missed you too, two years is a long time to be away from Mystic Falls and everyone I love," Elena sighed. Katherine shrugged Elena off and smirked, "Look, I may have a nice side now, but overly affectionate hugs aren't my thing. We never tell anyone about these things, okay?"

Elena laughed and put a hand on Katherine's shoulder, "Your secret is safe with me," she mocked. Katherine smiled and looked around the house.

"This is some place you've got here. Do you really need all this space though?" Katherine said.

"Hey, I'm having a house part for about 10+ people. I'd say this house is a comfortable size," Elena pouted.

"Yeah yeah, but look at this place. Your basement is fully furnished now, a bathroom, a bedroom, kitchen, and living room area, plus an office looking thing. Then on the main floor, you have a huge entrance way. A dining room to the left, a library to the right, a staircase by the front door, a living room, a bathroom, and a beautiful kitchen. Not to mention there's a door that leads to your patio and pool in your backyard. Another staircase in the kitchen that leads the third floor. Then you have 5 bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an office. And two of the bedrooms have an ensuite and a balcony. Need I say more? It's only you an Ava. You'll need to give her a phone so you don't lose her in your house," Katherine admired her house.

"Yeah yeah, but I love this house. And with the money I have from the cafe I have and the life insurance I got from my parent's death, it's helped out a lot. I've always wanted a big house, and Ava loves it. I don't see any harm in it, do you?" Elena smiled.

"No, I guess not," Katherine grinned.

"Now, what are we going to do tonight for the party?" Elena frowned.

"I don't know, I have never thrown one before," Katherine said.

"Okay, let's get ready and then we can go into my office," Elena said as she walked up the stairs from the front entrance.

Both of them reached the top of the stairs and Elena walked into her room, Katherine walking into Ava's room.

"Whatcha doin squirt?" Katherine smiled, flopping down onto Ava's bed.

"I'm brushing my hair, Mommy usually does it for me so I don't know if I'm going it right. Can you do something to my hair Aunt Katherine?" Ava pleaded.

"Sure kiddo, what do you want me to do?" She grinned.

"I don't know, I don't know what to wear either, Mommy usually picks it out for me," she smiled.

"Okay, how about you wear this?" Katherine said, while going through her dresser. It was a brown long sleeve dress that stopped about an inch or less above the knee, white tights, and brown boots.

"It looks purdy, okay I'll wear it!" Ava squealed as Katherine began dressing her in her clothes. When she was done, Katherine began to comb out her hair, it was completely straight, just like Elena.

"Dang girl, you didn't get any curls in your hair like me! I guess my curls have been toned down in the generations," Katherine joked.

"Yeah, Momma said that you two would look exactly the same if she had curly hair and was a few years younger!"

"Yeah, we would hun. Actually, at one point when I straightened my hair when we were younger, we looked like twins."

"But you don't anymore because Momma is older now and you're the same age because you're a vampire," Ava smiled.

"Right you are kiddo, but remember, you're not allowed to tell anyone. Or else, I'll eat you," Katherine joked as Ava laughed.

"I promise! Aunt Katherine, can you do that thing that Mommy does to my hair? It's not a braid, it's something else. It's called a fishy butt or something. It looks pretty off to the side of my head," Ava explained.

"Oh, you mean you want me to do a fish tail braid? the one that starts from the back and hangs off your shoulder?" Katherine clarified.

"Yes please!" Ava smiled before Katherine chuckled and did her hair. Ava looked stunning, her raven black hair in a long fish tail braid cascading down her left shoulder. Her brown dress, white tights, and brown boots. Her thick and long eyelashes that really brought out the detail in her very blue eyes. She was the spitting image of her father, mixed with a bit of her mother.

Just then, Elena walked into the room. You know, she looked like Katherine. You could tell the difference now though. Elena was curvier then Katherine after having Ava, she was also 6 years older than Katherine's still 18 year old appearance. Whenever they went out, they told people they were sisters, only Elena was the eldest, much to Katherine's distaste.

Elena was wearing black skinny jeans, a thin dark green long sleeve sweater, and dark green heals. Her eye make-up was a Smokey eye look with black and green, her thick long eyelashes had mascara bringing out her dull brown eyes. Her straight hair cascading down her shoulders and her back.

"You look nice Momma!" Ava smiled brightly as Katherine whistled.

"Foxy Momma, but this is nothing too over the top, you always dress like this. After some helpful tips of mine I might add," Katherine smirked taking in her own attire.

Katherine was being Katherine. Provocative in a classy manner. Her skin tight black jeans that fit her like a second skin, her black high heels, purple low cut v-neck, black leather jacket.

"I'm you with a more innocent twist," Elena joked.

"That you are my friend," Katherine laughed.

After the girls brought all of the groceries and other materials for the party tonight into the kitchen, Katherine and Elena started putting stuff away and Ava took of her jacket and boots before running into the living room to watch the ending of Calliou.

Katherine with her incredible vampire speed took everything out of the grocery bags and laid them out on the island table and the counters.

"Okay, where does it all go? What are we going to do tonight?" Katherine pondered.

"I guess we could make a list of everyone who's coming and go from there?" Elena suggested.

"Good idea," she smirked.

They began forming a list of people who were invited to come tonight, soon after, the list was made.

Jenna, Alaric, Jessica, Isobel, Stefan, Katherine, Caroline, Klaus, Bonnie, Jeremy, Elijah, Kol, Rebekah, Tyler, Matt, Maria, and Santana. and Obviously Elena and Ava.

When Elena made the list she sighed at something missing. Something that's been missing for four and a half years. Her husband.

Katherine saw her tense and instinctively wrapped her arm around Elena's shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze. "I know you miss him Hun, we all do," she sighed.

Elena gave a heartbroken smile at her doppelganger and spoke, "Every time I look at Ava, I see so much of him. I miss him so much Katherine. Not knowing where he went is killing me. How could he leave us like this? How could this have happened? No phone calls, no drop bys, nothing. Klaus helped us look, everyone did. He's gone, and I just wish he'd come back."

"You don't always have to be strong you know. You can always cry and let down your bravado every once in a while," Katherine said reassuringly.

"I need to be strong for my little girl, I can't let it all down. Ava deserves better than this, I just feel so bad because I can't give it to her. No amount of money or housing space will fill the deep void she has in her heart for her father. She doesn't know him, except for the picture of him and I when I was 18," Elena exclaimed.

Katherine's eyes turned cold for a minute, "When I find his punk ass, and believe me I will, he's seriously going to get it," her hands trembled with anger.

"I know I know, just let it go for now. We're having a party tonight and I seriously don't want any disappointments or things like this effecting my mood," Elena bargained and Katherine calmed down.

The girls began cooking dinner while Ava was put down for her afternoon nap. They began prepping the house by dusting, and waxing, and cleaning windows and mirrors. They also began testing the music systems and surround sound in the living room around the house. Katherine began making deserts and before they knew it, it was already 4:30pm. People would be arriving around 6-7 for the party.

"Hey Kat, do you want to go home and get ready or are you going to get ready here?" Elena asked while hanging their aprons in the closet.

"Clothes are on the bed right now actually, I'll go home, get my clothes, and come back here to get ready. Sound good?" Katherine suggested.

Elena smirked, "You just want to use my new jet powered shower in my spare bedroom, don't you?"

"Yes, I'm dying to use it. I've been wanting to use it for a long time now, tonight is the night! I'll see you guys in about 5 minutes, bye!" she said before blurring out into the outdoors.

Elena chuckled as she saw Katherine leave, that girl could be quite a drama queen at times. She walked up the stairs and into Ava's room, where she saw Ava sitting in the corner playing with her dolls and dollhouses.

"Hey baby, momma's going to take a shower and then we can get ready for the party tonight, alright?" Elena smiled.

"Okay, I'll go to your room when I hear you're done with the shower," Ava flashed her pearly whites and gorgeous blue eyes at her mom before going back to playing with her dolls.

As Elena finished her shower, she dried herself off and put on her bra and underwear and wrapped herself in her dark blue robe. Of course, it wasn't her robe. It was His robe.

She walked out of the bathroom and was surprised to see Katherine and Ava curled up together on the love seat couch in the corner of Elena's bedroom watching Elmo's world. She chuckled and began walking towards her makeup table to do her hair. She decided on a nice and simple look for her hair, something that He loved to see her in. She put her hair in waves that cascaded down her back. It wasn't curly like Katherine but it wasn't entirely straight like boring old Elena.

"Aunt Katherine, what am I going to wear for the party?" Ava asked.

"Something very sophisticated but very lovely. Do you want to get ready now?" Katherine asked, stroking her hair.

"Yeah, I wanna look pretty like momma!" Ava squealed.

"Baby, do you want me to do your hair in a nice 5 piece side braid?" Elena asked her daughter.

"Yes please!" Ava exclaimed.

"Okay, get Aunt Katherine to pick something out for you to wear and I'll do your hair when you're finished, okay?" Elena smiled while going to give her daughter a kiss on her cheek and into the walk in closet for an outfit.

Soon enough, Ava and Elena were upstairs putting their finishing touches on and Katherine was downstairs putting the finishing touches on the food. She laid all the food out on the island table and the counters before sitting on the couch and watching television.

Katherine was wearing a black off the shoulder dress that went a little further than mid-thigh with a her black stilettos and Smokey eye makeup, her hair curled in all the right ways.

Elena was wearing a velvet blue strapless dress, skin tight and hugged all the right curves. The sides where her waist to her hips were was cut open and had a black lace design. Her cleavage was noticeable yet classy. Her choice of makeup was a light Smokey eye effect with mixtures of black, grey, and blue to match her outfit. Her long wavy hair cascading down her shoulders and her back. Her velvet blue and black heels were just absolutely breath taking.

Ava was a vision. She was a stunning thing of beauty. She wore a black long sleeve dress that Katherine had bought her. It was straight but fit, not tight at all. It came to about an inch or less above the knee and she wore black flats to match it. Her eyes and already long eyelashes intensified her face and Elena had given her a five piece off the shoulder braid that hung off her left shoulder. With a velvet blue hair pin of a crow at the start of the braid.

When all was done, the first guest arrived. It was Stefan. The girls took such a delight to their first guest, it was a wonderful moment to them. They hadn't seen Stefan in two whole years, they'd missed him dearly.

"Uncle Stefan!" Ava exclaimed, running up to him and climbing into his open arms.

"Hey princess, I've missed you so much!" Stefan smiled while resting his head on Ava's tiny shoulder and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"I missed you too! momma's throwing a party tonight! You're coming right?" Ava asked politely.

"Yes ma'am, what'd you think I got dressed up for? I got dressed up to come to a party at your house just for you!" he laughed, "Gosh, you're getting so big now! How old are you now? 63?" Stefan mock gasped.

"No silly, I'm 3 and 3 quarters, turning 4!" Ava said proudly.

"That you are, princess," Stefan smiled before setting her down and looking up at Elena. He grinned at her and opened his arms while walking towards her. Things didn't work out too well between Stefan and Elena but they both found different people that they were truly destined to be with and they were happy. They were still friends, and not just for the sake of Ava or the family, they were friends because they couldn't live without each other. Even though there was no romantic sense, they still loved each other. But this way was more of a family way.

Elena shook the tears from her eyes and pulled Stefan in for a loving embrace, "I missed you. I've missed everyone," she hugged tighter.

"I know, we've missed you too. Don't worry, everything's going to be okay, I promise you," Stefan reassured her. Elena pulled back and smiled at Stefan sweetly.

"Go make yourselves comfortable, I'm going to go freshen up. Stefan ruined my makeup," Elena mock glared at Stefan before chuckling and walking off to her room.

As she was in her room, she began fumbling through her things looking for something of His. She didn't want to feel alone tonight, which was ironic because there was going to be over ten people here tonight. She just needed a little piece of him with her just to make her feel safe, and feel at the slightest bit better. She was looking through an old box in her closet when she found an old vervain necklace that he gave her when she had lost the one Stefan had given to her. It was a white gold necklace with blue rubies in the shape of vines all across it. It had been one of the most beautiful things he'd ever given her aside from giving her Ava.

She picked it up and put it over her neck and freshened up her makeup. She'd never been one to make a scene in front of people so it was good for her to have time by herself upstairs. After she fixed herself, Elena walked downstairs to find that more guests had arrived.

Alaric, Jenna, and Jessica had all arrived and were sitting on the couch talking to Stefan and Ava. Katherine was over at the bar drinking the night away. Go figure, this was Katherine. Sure she'd gone soft but still had the Petrova fire in her. 'Start the night not with a fizzle but with a bang,' she'd always told Elena.

Elena walked over to the group and Ava smiled her 100 kilowatt smile at her before launching herself into Elena's arms.

"Hey Baby," Elena said softly. Elena began stroking her hair and gave her a big kiss on the cheek before releasing her so she could sit beside her.

"This is so precious, picture perfect moment!" Jenna exclaimed.

"She's a big softy," Elena smiled at her daughter.

"We'll my nieces are just the cutest things ever! Aside from my baby," Jenna smiled at Jessica and hugged her. Jessica Saltzman was Jenna and Alaric's little girl, she is 5 years old.

"So how are you guys? How's life in Mystic Fall been for you? How's my little cousin doing?" Elena smiled and attacked her cousin Jessica with 100 kisses. Jess giggled and attacked her back with just as many slobbery kisses.

"All's well in Mystic Falls, Jenna's catering business is going well and I finally have all of my students in class for the first time. Jess is JK right now, SK in September, right princess?" Alaric smiled.

"Yup Daddy!" Jess exclaimed.

Everyone chuckled and started to get up and go on tour of the rest of the house. Ava as their guide. Elena walked over to Katherine who had a solemn expression on her face.

"Why so glum chum?" Elena asked before chugging down some fruit punch.

"I've always hated parties," she said.

"It's not a party per-say, it's just a dinner gathering because I haven't seen these people in a long time. No worries Kat, I got your back," Elena said, extending her fist to Katherine. She roared with laughter at Elena's child-like ways and pounded her fist with Elena's.

Soon enough, everyone returned back to the living room and began muttering and mumbling about how expensive this house must be and how beautiful it was. Elena stifled a laugh at her Aunt and Uncle before Ava came up to Elena and spoke, "I think Uncle Ric is a little jealous," she smirked at Alaric.

"I think so too pumpkin," Stefan joined in until everyone laughed and Alaric mock glared at Elena.

Ava's ear perked up and Stefan look at her curiously, "What is it?"

Ava smiled and ran to the front door, she opened it and cried out, "Aunty Caroline!" She jumped into Caroline's arms full throttle. If it hadn't for been for Caroline's vampire strength, she would have toppled over.

"I heard you coming all the way from down the street Aunty Caroline! I heard your laugh, I love your laugh!" Ava smiled and embraced her lovingly as Caroline chuckled.

"Awe honey, you're so sweet," Caroline pinched her cheeks lightly and kissed her forehead before attacking Ava with a huge hug.

"Well if you heard your Aunt Caroline, you for sure must have heard me," a voice said from behind her. Ava looked over her shoulder and squealed.

"Uncle Nik!" Ava screamed and jumped into his arms as Klaus gave a heartfelt chuckle and hugged he back, careful not to crush her pour body.

"Hello my lovely, my, my have you grown. I remember the days when you were like this tall," Klaus mock gasped and showed Ava the distance between his thumb and pointer finger.

"Uncle Nik you're a silly goose," Ava chuckled.

"More like silly vampire," Klaus reminded her and they shared a warm laugh.

"Your hearing is amazing kiddo, I don't think even I can hear that far, and I'm an original," Kol said from the side.

"Kol!" she grinned and wiggled out of Klaus' hug and ran to him, attacking him with her almost too tight hug.

"Hey kid, how's it goin'?" he smiled at her.

"Good, Mommas throwing a party tonight and we're going to eat yummy food and play outside and watch TV and do all kinds of stuff, just me and you, okay?" Ava smiled at Kol and snuggled into his chest.

"Not too loud kiddo, you're hurting all of my male bravado," Kol shushed her out loud, gaining chuckles and laughs from everyone there.

"Yeah, male bravado, that's it," Katherine rolled her eyes and smirked.

"Watch it Katarina, I'll sick the dogs on you," Kol mock glared at Katherine as she shivered with fake fear. He carried Ava in his arms, while she was curled up into his chest, and into the kitchen where everyone else was.

"To which dogs were you referring to?" Elena smirked.

"Klaus and Tyler, duh." Kol smirked before placing Ava on the floor.

"I heard that," a voice said from the front door. Walking in just then was Tyler and Rebekah.

"I know you did, you were meant to," Kol rolled his eyes in mock annoyance and went to hug Elena. "Sup baby momma, got anything to drink?" He asked as Elena laughed.

"There's drinks all around you, the special stuff is in the freezer downstairs in the room with the red door," she smiled knowingly as Kol thanked her and vampire sped to the basement to get some blood.

"That boy has no class, I swear he was raised with the apes," Rebekah snorted.

"He's still a teenager at heart, poor thing," Stefan put a hand on his heart sarcastically.

"Says the one who continuously repeats high school every other decade," Ric chuckled and Ava looked at him.

"Uncle Steffy says he repeats high school a lot because he's pretty and he can stay pretty forever," she smiled at Stefan who gave her props.

Tyler and Rebekah walked towards the group as one of the last guests arrived, Matt, Maria, an Santana.

"Hey guys," Elena smiled and hugged Matt and Maria. Santana Donavan was Matt and Maria Donavan's 2 year old daughter, Elena and Tyler's god daughter.

"Hi," Santana said shyly.

"Hi baby, remember me? I'm Elena, Ava's mommy, I'm your godmother," Elena said softly, bending down to her height.

"I no memember you Ewena," Santana smiled shyly.

"It's okay sweetheart, wanna go in the living room and play with Ava and Jess? They're waiting for you," Elena said, directing her to the living room as Jeremy and Bonnie walked in.

"Uncle Jeremy, Aunt Bonnie!" Ava ran to them and hugged both their legs.

"HI BABY," Bonnie squealed and picked her up, giving her kisses all around her face as she squealed with laughter. "I've missed you so so so so so much!"

"I've missed you too Aunt Bonnie, and you too Uncle Jeremy," Ava extended her arms and hugged Jeremy while still in Bonnie's arms.

"I missed you too princess," Jeremy laid a kiss on her tiny forehead before she wiggled out of Jeremy's arms and went to play with the kids.

Elena smiled and looked around, taking in everyone's beautiful attire.

Stefan was wearing black dress pants with a dark purple dress shirt, black dress shoes and dark purple belt.

Caroline was wearing a grey strapless dress that flowed down beautifully straight until her mid thigh, black sandal like stilettos. Her hair curled and let down loose, all around her shoulders and back.

Klaus wore grey dress pants, black long sleeve dress shirt, grey tie, black belt, and black shoes. His hair just like it always is.

Rebekah wore a dark green silk dress with an arm strap on her left arm that went to her mid thigh, and silver pumps. Her blonde hair pin straight, half up and teased to perfection, her side swept bangs to the left.

Tyler wore a velvet blue long sleeve dress shirt, grey dress pants, black tie, black belt, and black shoes. His hair still short but sweet.

Kol was different though, he wore dark grey dressy jeans, a black T shirt, all black Jordan's, a black belt, and a dark grey blazer. His hair still in his fancy yet messy do.

Jeremy wore his black dress pants, brown t shirt, and brown shoes. His hair in its regular messy but cute style.

Bonnie wore a dark brown dress with long sleeves as it went down to her mid thigh. Tight around her body all around showing off the skinny physique. Black high heel boots that reached her knees, her hair completely straight over her shoulders.

Alaric wore a blue dress shirt with short sleeves, grey tie, grey pants, and black dress shoes.

Jenna wore a cute silky blue button up blouse with a black high waisted skirt that went just above her knees, a black belt between the two. Black flats, and her hair was long and curly pinned to one side.

Jessica wore a dark purple long sleeve shirt with a high waisted skirt in the color of black. Her hair was in a high pony tail and she wore black purple flats.

Matt wore a cashmere long sleeve dress shirt with black pants and brown shoes. His hair gelled up.

Maria wore a pink strapless dress that was tight in the chest area, had a cream colored belt under her chest/around her waist. The dress went down to an inch or so above the knee and her creamy pumps to match it. Her long blonde hair in a fancy bun with aloes strand of it curled drooping to the left side.

Santana wore a cute cashmere dress with a black ribbon bow tie around her waist as the dress flowed down to her ankles. Her socks were white and stuck out of her creamy ballet shoes. Her dirty blonde hair in natural curls reaching her shoulders.

Elena smiled as she looked at everyone socializing and laughing. They were all listening to music and Elena began to look around. A face was missing from the pile of people. Elijah.

She wanted to call his cell but decided against it because he wouldn't answer it anyway, he could never understand modern technology no matter how many times she and Kol had tried to teach him.

She decided that I'd be a good time to talk with her guests, what kind of host would she be if she didn't? She walked over to her brother who was drinking punch before immediately embracing him.

"Hello to you too sis," Jeremy laughed, encircling her in his arms.

"I've missed you, it feels so good to be home. I want a good life for Ava, the best way for that is if she's happy with family and friends," Elena confessed.

"I know, but you have to know that when you're happy, Ava's happy. Do things for yourself too," Jer stroked her hair and pulled away.

"I'm going to go talk to Bonnie, I'll be right back," Elena smiled as her younger brother nodded.

She walked over Bonnie, Matt, Caroline, and Tyler who were
talking about old childhood memories.

"Remember that time that Caroline was trying to be nominated as class president in middle school?" Matt grinned.

"And she put up posters all around school and she spelt president wrong on all the posters she put up?" Elena chimed in as everyone laughed.

"And when she rigged the ballet so that she could win but put too many so they found out?" Tyler chuckled.

"But they didn't disqualify her because she was too much of a teacher's pet," Bonnie laughed and stuck out her tongue at Caroline.

"If I was a vampire then, I would have compelled them to make me class president," Caroline huffed making everyone roar with laughter.

"I miss this, GROUP HUG," Matt squealed and pulled the four of them in for a great big hug. They all caved in and hugged before Tyler jerked away.

"A little too close for comfort, but I missed you guys," Tyler laughed.

"Tyler, always the air headed jock with an undeniably warm heart under his male bravado," Elena laughed and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey Elena, when's the food going to be served? I'm hungry," Matt frowned.

"Oh my, the food! I'm so sorry! It's all on the counter guys, go fill yourselves some plates and eat. You don't have to wait on my account," Elena blushed embarrassedly.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief and began muttering and mumbling things like 'about time,' and 'finally!' Elena walked over to Katherine and rolled her eyes, "If they were hungry they should have just dug in."

"I'm going to go get food to eat and talk to Stefan, go get Ava. Little things probably starving, hasn't eaten since breakfast," Katherine smiled and walked off. Elena walked downstairs in the hopes of finding Ava but couldn't find her. She ran upstairs and couldn't find her there either. She finally decided to look out the window of her bedroom that gave a clear view to the outside in the backyard and saw Kol and Ava laying down on the hammock under the gazebo.


"What was your daddy like?" Ava asked innocently to Kol.

He smiled down at her precious face and thought about his dad. Mikael. Kol looked up at the sky and held her tighter in his arms, "My dad was a mean man, he didn't like us that much," he explained.

Ava frowned and looked up at Kol, "Why didn't he like you? Was it just you or Uncle Nik, Aunt Rebekah, and Uncle Elijah too?"

"It was actually more Uncle Nik but nonetheless he didn't like us very much. But it's okay kiddo, he's gone now," Kol frowned but his smile picked up as he felt her arms tighten around her.

"It's okay, I love you. I'm sorry he was a meanie, but you have me right? And I'm nice to you, forever and ever," Ava smiled.

"I know kiddo, I know. Thank you, and I love you too," Kol smiled.

"Hey Kol, did you know my daddy?" Ava asked innocently once again.

"Yeah princess, I did," he swallowed, afraid of saying the wrong thing.

"Was he nice to mommy? Did he know about me? Do you think he'd love me? Do you think I'll ever be able to see him?" Ava frowned.

"He was very nice to your mommy, he loved your mommy. He didn't know about you kiddo, no one knows why he left but I hope one day you'll see him. And I'm 110% sure he'd love you, baby you're the most amazing little girl ever. Obviously have me wrapped around your finger," he nuzzled her hair with his nose. He heard her stomach rumble and frowned.

"Kol, I'm hungry," Ava smiled. Just then Elena came out of the back yard door and called out to them.

"Kol! Ava!" she yelled.

"YO BABY MOMMA, WHEN'S DINNER? YOUR GREMLIN IS STARVING," he yelled back.

"That's why I'm calling you smart ass! Time to get eat!" Elena laughed and went inside.

"I guess it's time to go inside then," Kol smiled, picking Ava up and carrying her on his hip and into the house. By the door, Ava asked her final question.

"Hey Kol, was my daddy a vampire?" she had a strange look in her face. He didn't know what to say but he vowed that he'd never lie to her. He looked over into her ocean like eyes and sympathetically smiled and nodded, giving Ava her answer.

When everyone was done eating they started putting their plates in the dish washer and thanking Elena for her generous hospitality. They began going back to their conversations and people started to get drunk and do karaoke. The only people who weren't drunk was Elena, Kol, Maria, and Bonnie, and also the kids Ava, Jessica, and Santana.

Jeremy started a game of pictionary, and half the people playing karaoke left to go play.

"C'mon Stefan, pay up. You lost!" Caroline badgered him.

"I did not! That doesn't look at all like a cup or a cake, and you wanted me to know that it said cupcake? Ugh I hate you," Stefan cried and threw 50 bucks at her.

Then all of the sudden Elijah and Isobel walked through the door.

"Uncle Elijah! Grandma!" Ava squealed and jumped into Elijah's arms as he scooped her up.

"Well hello there miss," Elijah said as he grabbed her tiny hand a placed a gentle kiss on back side of her palm. Ava giggled and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck.

"I missed you! You missed the party," Ava cried.

"I'm sorry pumpkin, grandma and I were doing research," Elijah apologized. Ava looked into Isobel's eyes as she gave a mock hurt look.

"and what am I? Chopped liver?" Isobel frowned and caught Ava when she sent herself flying into Isobel's arms.

"Hi grandma, I've missed you so much! Don't be late next time, I'm more important than your work anyway," Ava stated and snuggled into her arms.

"Ava, manners," Elena said sternly.

"Sorry Grandma," Ava smiled sheepishly.

"It's okay sweetheart," Isobel smiled. She looked over at Elena who was shaking her head and whispered to her, "She's becoming more and more like him every day."

Elena forced a smile and folded her arms over her chest, "I've noticed. My little miss has no manners," Elena laughed.

"Hi mom," Elena smiled and side hugged her mom.

"Olá filha, how are you?" Isobel asked her daughter. Isobel was half Portuguese and insisted that because it was a beautiful language Isobel was going to start Ava to start speaking it. Also because Elena already speaks it fluently, along with Spanish and Italian.

"I'm alright, I wish he was here though," Elena frowned and saw her daughter try to fight to stay awake.

"I know querida, I know," Isobel frowned and patted her back.

After a while, everyone began getting tired and couple by couple they started to head out. Bonnie, Jeremy, Klaus, Caroline, Tyler, Rebekah, Alaric, Jenna, Jessica, Matt, Maria, Santana, and Elijah all left. All that was left was Stefan, Katherine, Kol, Isobel, Elena, and a sleeping Ava in Isobel's arms.

Elena took Ava out of Isobel's arms and woke her quickly, "Sweetie, say goodnight to everyone."

Ava opened her eyes groggily and grinned drunk-like. She gave kisses to Katherine, Stefan, and Isobel. She looked at Kol and smiled, "Momma, can Kol tuck me in and read me a bed time story?"

"Sure, but only if Kol wants to," Elena chuckled. Kol brought a smile to his lips and took Ava out of Elena's arms.

"Let's go kiddo," Kol smiled and hugged her to his chest. She snuggled into him and began drifting off to sleep, her tiny hand clutching his t shirt. He placed a kiss to her forehead and brought her to her room.

"He's extremely good with Ava, you've gotta give him that," Katherine smiled.

"Ava can really change the hearts of those around her. Look what she did to Rebekah and Klaus. My mom, even you Kat," Elena grinned.

"She definitely has your magical gift of bringing people's humanity to the surface," Stefan smirked. He hugged Elena as did Katherine and they left the house. Isobel looking at her daughter.

"Filha, I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you as a baby and how I selfishly shut of my emotions, it wasn't fair to you, I hope you know that. I'm sorry that I'm giving Ava the attention you never received from me, but I'm trying my best," Isobel sighed.

"I know you are mom, I know," Elena smiled And hugged her.

"are you sleeping over tonight?" Elena asked.

"No, I have to get home and let my maid go home. And I have to drive up to Atlanta, important research on an old vampire I'm tracking," Isobel reasoned.

"Old vampire? Who?" Elena's interest spiked.

"I'll tell you all about it when I get back. Boa noite minha filha linda, quidado se faz favour. Até logo, querida. Beijinhos para minha neta também, te amo," Isobel spoke in Portuguese.

"Adeus mãe, te amo também," Elena said back quietly but lovingly and closed the door when she left her.

Elena sighed at the mess of the house as Kol came down the stairs.

"Yo Baby Mama, want help with the cleaning? I happen to be an expert in the cleaning buiz," Kol smirked.

"Sure Kol, that'd be a great idea. Thanks kiddo," Elena smirked and ruffled his hair.

"I think you forget that I'm over 1000 years old, Elena," Kol laughed and Elena chimed in.

"Yeah, I noticed," Elena rolled her eyes at Kol and smiled. She went over to the garbage can and began flinging plastic cups into it. She started putting leftover food into containers and putting it into the fridge, cupboards, and pantries. Kol started sweeping the floorboards and loading up the dishwasher with soap. Elena began wiping the counter tops with disinfectant wipes before Kol was moping the front entrance from all the mud and snow mixtures that formed disgusting puddles. When Kol was done, he put the mop and bucket back into the cleaning supplies closet and walked over to the counter where Elena was. She was eating pop tarts and a glass of milk and he groaned.

"Ugh, we just did the dishes and cleaned off the sink, now you want to make more mess?" He exclaimed and jumped up on the island table.

"Oh yeah, and your germ infested rear end is much better on my newly disinfected counter tops," She rolled her eyes and laughed. He gave a slight chuckle and smiled.

"Can I ask you something?" Kol said to Elena, causing her eyebrows to furrow and her head to nod.

"Do you want to stay over? Is that what you're asking? I can tell that Klaus and Caroline might want some space and Elijah is trying to re-model his new house so he might not want you over there," Elena spoke.

"Well, that too, but I was going to ask you something about Ava. Is she a vampire or is she human? Her hearing senses are incredible and she's impossibly fast for a 3 year old. I've never seen her have a craving for blood or try to compel people before, but that could be the whole 'watch your manners' thing you installed into her head," Kol laughed quietly.

"I don't know, Kol. I think she's human, I've felt her heart beat and I've also seen her get hurt and she doesn't heal quickly at all. She could be a mixture of both, I'm not really an expert on this subject. But I've notice her running skills and her hearing abilities, they're supernatural. She's never compelled anyone, and she has never had a craving for blood either. I'm scared Kol, she's my baby. I don't want anything to happen to her," Elena shriveled with fear and Kol wrapped his arms around her and shushed her quietly.

"Nothing's going to happen to her. She's got Alaric, excellent vampire hunter. Katherine, 500+ year old Aunt/Grandma whatever who can seriously kick ass. Stefan, who can take care of her and make her laugh. Caroline, who can just about hurt anything that looks at her weirdly. Bonnie, who can use her witchy stuff and protect her. Tyler, who can use his werewolfness and bite anyone who tries to hurt her. Isobel, who would die before letting something happen to her. Rebekah and Elijah, who are impossible to kill and wouldn't stand to let anyone hurt her. Klaus, who would do anything-and I mean anything-to make sure nothing happens to her. Me, who will be like her big brother and kill anything that looks her way. Then, she has you, her loving mother to care for her whenever she needs her. She has too many people for someone to try and hurt her, don't you worry," Kol assured her before giving her a kiss on her forehead and putting Elena's dishes into the sink.

"Thanks Kol, I really needed to hear that. It's one thing to know it, it's another thing to have it addressed to you. I'm glad that you're always here for her," Elena wiped away a tear and was going to wash her dishes before Kol stopped her.

"I'll wash them and dry them for you. I'll even put them away and unload the dishwasher. Under two conditions," Kol grinned brightly.

"Should I be worried?" Elena snorted and listened intently.

"One, you go check on Ava and see if she's okay then get yourself together and go to sleep. It's been a rough day for you, I can tell. and two, you let me stay in the basement apartment thing downstairs and make me breakfast tomorrow morning," Kol smiled.

"Let me get this straight, you want to stay in my newly furnished basement which has a nice jet powered shower, entrance to the backyard, a room with a fridge stacked to the top with blood, a king size bed, a living room area, AND a kitchen. BUT you want me to make you breakfast tomorrow morning?" Elena clarified.

"Yes ma'am, if that's alright with you. I can always just go back home, I'm sure Rebekah wouldn't mind sharing a room with me for a while. But I demand breakfast tomorrow, woman. French toast and fruits and stuff, okay?" Kol smirked.

"No no, it's fine. You can stay in the basement I was just kidding. Hell, you can live down there for all I care. You just have to babysit Ava for me when I go to work and make her lunch and you might have to make dinner some nights, okay?" Elena offered Kol her deal.

"Deal. I'll wash your dishes, go take a shower, have a 'snack'; if you know what I mean, unload your dishwasher, and go to sleep," Kol explained as Elena shook her head and smiled.

"Alright then, welcome to the family. I'm going to bed now, goodnight," Elena grinned and kissed Kol on his cheek and hugged him quickly.

Kol smiled and nodded as he began to wash the dishes. Before Elena got up the stairs Kol called out to her, causing her to turn around. "Baby Momma?" He said.

"Yeah Kol?" She asked.

"I demand my breakfast by 10am the latest, and I like my French toast with just a dash of cinnamon. Also, if you could, tell your neighbour to stop walking by the front door at night. He's giving me the chills," Kol said with mock fear as Elena froze. There were no neighbours around within about 1km or 2. Kol's face turned to stone as he saw her expression and realized that it wasn't a neighbour.

"I'll go check on Ava, whatever you do, don't open the front door without me, okay?" Kol raced up the stairs into Ava's room and scooped her into his arms successfully without waking her up. She stirred in his arms and clutched onto his shirt. He raced downstairs to Elena's side and she was hiding on the stairwell.

"I'm going to go open the door, but she'll be safer in my arms than yours so don't be frightened. Stand right behind me, okay?" Kol ordered Elena as she nodded. He walked over to the front door and saw the figure at the door, the audacity this man had to stand outside a vampire's house. He opened the door fully and gripped Ava's precious body to his. He took a quick gulp and turned his face to Elena's who was frozen in shock, hurt, happiness, and anger all in one. Mostly shock.

Elena couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the man in front of her. The man who'd left without any explanation to her what so ever over four years ago. The man who helped in the creation of her beautiful daughter just two feet from her, sleeping peacefully as if nothing was going on. She looked into the eyes of the man she used to love and felt like she was going to shatter into a million pieces right there. He'd come home, but she wanted answers. Knowing that she must have looked like an idiot just standing there without saying anything, a tear rolled out of her eye and she gulped. Her throat clogged with air and she felt like she couldn't breathe. She finally rasped out one word,

"Damon?"


Ouuu, cliffhanger! ha-ha, I hope you guys liked it. I took quite a while to write 9000+ words, almost 2 hours! If you're unclear with certain things, don't you worry, the second chapter will be up before you know it and you'll understand almost all of your questions. Also, the translations to the Portuguese that Elena and Isobel were speaking are here,

Olá filha = Hi daughter.

querida = My dear.

Boa noite minha filha linda, quidado se faz favour. Até logo, querida. Beijinhos para minha neta também, te amo = Good night my beautiful daughter, please take care. I'll see you soon, my dear. Kisses for my granddaughter as well, I love you.

Adeus mãe, te amo também = Bye mom, I love you too.

Correct me if I made any mistakes any of you Portuguese readers/reviewers! I'm Portuguese so I'm pretty sure I did that right but I'm not perfect. Anyways, please, enjoy. Read and review, it's always good to hear back from you so I know whether to continue or stop while I'm still at the beginning. Feed back is love people! So, HIT THE REVIEW BUTTON.

-Love Kim.