Changing For The Better

Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Possibility of Forgiveness

Stefan stands in the doorway of his room. "Can I come in, or are you mad at me for disappearing after we had mind-blowing sex?" 

"Well since you called it mind-blowing, you may enter," Katherine says still not looking at him.

"I want to talk about last night and this morning," Katherine says, breaking the silence.

"Okay," Stefan nods.

She looks at him expectantly, "So, talk."

"We had a moment, I don't know what you want me to say... 147 years is a lot to forgive in one night," Stefan admits.

"But can it be forgiven?" Katherine asks. He doesn't say anything. She shakes her head and starts to leave the room, "Good night, Stefan."

He grabs her by her arm and slides his hand until he meets hers, interlacing their fingers. "I don't know if it can, but I'm willing to try if you are."

She turns around to look at him. "I'll try, Stefan, for as long as I can. I would have waited an eternity for you, but that's not really an option anymore so I'll try for as long as I survive in this frail human body."

He kisses her, pressing their bodies firmly against each other as they fall onto his bed and continue what they had started that morning.

The next morning, Katherine is on the phone with Nadia while coming down the stairs. "The side effects I had before of the aging... It's all gone. Did you figure out a way to stop it and do it without telling me?"

"No, I've looked but I haven't found anything besides traveller magic. Could your body somehow have healed itself? Maybe the cure is wearing off and you're becoming a vampire again?"

"No, I don't feel stronger or a craving for blood or anything... It's something else, I can't quite put my finger on..." Katherine trails off as she collapses on the ground.

"Hello?" Nadia says panicked, "Katherine? Katherine?"

Nadia rushes off to the Salvatore Boarding House to find Damon sitting on the couch. "If you're looking for mommy dearest then Stefan took her to the hospital. She's probably dying and if all goes well then, she'll be dead before you get there. Nadia growls before speeding off to the hospital.

Stefan is sitting in the waiting room when Nadia enters.

"It doesn't make sense," She says, "I was just speaking to her. She sounded fine."

"I haven't heard anything from the doctors yet but maybe it's a side-effect of the aging she was experiencing?" Stefan speculates.

Nadia shakes her head. "It can't be. The side-effects stopped, she told me they did."

The doctor steps into the waiting room and walks over to them. He looks at Stefan and says, "She's awake. I was just about to give her the news, I thought you might want to be there." He turns to Nadia, "And who might you be?"

"That's her sister," Stefan answers for her, "She would want her sister there as well."

The doctor nods and they both follow him to Katherine's hospital room. "Well, I have some good news for you." He smiles at Katherine and Stefan. 

"Good news?" Nadia asks confused, "What kind of good news makes people faint?"

"You're pregnant."

Stefan's jaw drops and Katherine is speechless. "That's not possible," She argues.

 The doctor asks her, "Have you been sexually active recently?" 

"Well yes but, it's not possible. He can't get anyone pregnant!" Katherine says gesturing to Stefan. The doctor raises his eyebrow. 

"What she means to say is that he had a vasectomy," Nadia lies smoothly.

"Okay well I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about but the blood tests don't lie, you're definitely pregnant." The doctor leaves the room and Katherine gets out of bed and begins pacing. 

"So, who have you slept with recently?" Nadia asks. 

"Stefan!" Katherine shouts back. 

"I mean besides Stefan," Nadia rolls her eyes. 

"No one, it's just been Stefan."

"Come on, Katherine," Nadia says. Katherine glares at her. 

"Sorry between being hunted by Silas and dying of old age, I wasn't really focused on getting laid. But if you need a paternity test to prove it then go ahead," Katherine rolls her eyes.

Stefan stops her pacing and looks into her eyes, "Are you sure?" Katherine nods. 

"Then I believe you," Stefan says before placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, "We'll get through this together."

"Well, I've always wanted a little sibling," Nadia smiles. Katherine calms down seeing their reactions. 

"Come on," Stefan says, "Let's get you home. It's going to be a long night once everyone else finds out."