Parenthood~ Continuation of Love Conquers All

Videocall • part 526

Ian Somerhalder (online)
Tessa Rose (online)

Tessa: "Happy birthday daddy!" She says in a baby voice from behind Selena who she is holding in front of the laptop screen.

Ian: He grins, completely in awe at the sight of his beautiful blue eyed angel. "Thank you, princess!"

Tessa: She laughs as she pulls Selena away from the screen and situates her on her lap. "Happy birthday, Ian."

Ian: "Thanks, Tess." Ian continues to smile, although his bright grin turns tight lipped.

Tessa: "How are you doing?"

Ian: "Good. Good," he sighs. "How are you?"

Tessa: "I'm okay," she breathes out, raising her eyebrows. "Tired but okay nevertheless."

Ian: "The symptoms, have they calmed down a little more?"

Tessa: "Uh, yeah, I mean the heartburn has been pretty bad but the nausea is slowly getting better."

Ian: "That's good," Ian nods. Silence dawns upon the two of them, both looking off to the side not even daring to face each other on the screen. Ian has something to ask her. He's really scared that she'll freak out on him. But, he has no choice. Either he keeps it a secret and she finds out tomorrow or he tells her beforehand and just deals with whatever reaction she gives him. "Tess."

Tessa: She looks back at the camera. "Yeah?"

Ian: "I don't know how lightly I can put this so I'm just gonna come right out and say it." He looks at Tessa carefully. Her expression grows curious, nervous even. "Nikki and I," he pauses, "we've made it official. We're dating."

Tessa: Her jaw slightly parts, her gut feeling like someone has stabbed it a million times. But she doesn't want to show it. She doesn't want Ian to see the hurt in her eyes. An "oh" is all that manages to escape her mouth.

Ian: "Yeah," he nods, sucking in his bottom lip. "And uh, as a gift she got us Lakers tickets to their game tomorrow night. I just wanted you to know before any photos come out and you know..."

Tessa: "I know," she nods.

Ian: "I think it's time for everyone to know. We couldn't go on like this forever."

Tessa: "So that's it?" she questions, a slight strain in her voice. Has Tessa already moved on? Yes. But that doesn't mean she ever lost love for Ian. "We're over? Officially."

Ian: his eyebrows raise, head tilting. "I...I guess so, yeah."

Tessa: she rubs her hand in circles over Selena's belly. "Okay then. I guess you're free to do whatever you'd like."

Ian: "At least now you won't have to hide things between you and Casey any longer," Ian adds in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Tessa: she sighs, shrugging. "Yeah. I mean there's no label yet but I guess you're right."

Ian: "I'm sure he hasn't mentioned anything yet because he's unsure of what you want."

Tessa: there's a slight pause before she speaks. "Yeah. I guess."

Ian: "So you're one hundred percent sure that you're okay with Nikki and I going out officially and publicly together?"

Tessa: "If it makes you happy," her voice slightly strains, trying her hardest not to let him hear her tear up. She forces a smile, "then I'm happy."

Ian: "Okay," he nods, giving her a grateful grin. "Thank you, Tess. Truly. I'm so glad that we can move on and still be good friends."

Tessa: she bobs her head. "Yeah, of course. No problem." The corners of her lips curve up. "Well, I hope you have a great day. And have fun on your date," Tessa says softly.

Ian: "Thank you," Ian smiles. He looks down at his daughter near the bottom half of the screen. "Bye, princess. Daddy loves you."

Tessa: "Say bye to daddy," she says as she grabs Selena's hand and does a waving motion.

Ian: "Bye, bye," he chuckles, waving back at his daughter.

Tessa: she giggles as she places Selena's hand back down. "Bye, Ian. We'll talk soon."

Ian: "Bye, honey." He smiles, blowing her a friendly kiss.

Tessa reaches forward to move the computer cursor to the red call button.

End of call.