Parenthood~ Continuation of Love Conquers All

IRL • part 568

"Oh God, Tessa, you don't know how great it is to have you back on set!" Julie says as she hugs me for the sixth time in the past two hours.

"I know," I grin, squeezing her in return. "This place always feels like home."

"And we couldn't be happier to have you back," Michael Trevino says from beside me, pulling me into a warm side hug.

"Alright, Tess, are you sure you're ready to do the scene?" Julie asks with slight unease. "I know it's pretty intense, gotta dig deep a little."

"I got this," I nod. My hand pats the fake pregnant belly underneath my dress. "Although, I probably should've come on set earlier...kinda ironic using one of these right after having a baby."

"I know," Julie laughs. "But I'm glad you agreed to come back now rather than never."

I give her a comforting pat on the shoulder with a soft smile before getting into position. Ian, Nina, Paul, Candice and Kat are all standing behind the door of the Salvatore Boarding house. God, I haven't seen this place in months.

"3...2...1. And action!"

I knock on the big wooden door. No camera on my side is rolling yet. We plan to do a big reveal of Kayla's return right as Damon opens the door.

I hear a quick click meaning the door is being unlocked and all of a sudden...there I am. The camera focuses completely on me and I put on a nervous smile.

"Damon," I breathe out in character, "hi."

Ian's icy blue eyes are wide, practically falling it of their sockets. Shock and hurt appear on his face at once.

"Kayla?" He draws in a breath to illuminate the amount of surprise Damon feels.

"What?!" Candice's squeaky voice says from the living room. I hear shuffling of feet and eventually, all of my friends are standing there with their jaws dropped, especially at my stomach.

"Oh my God," Nina gasps, tears brimming her eyes as she runs towards me.

We both let out giggles of joy as we embrace one another. "Lena, hey!"

"You came back!" She grins.

"And very pregnant," Candice adds in her usual Caroline manner.

I make sure to glance at Ian as it was written in the script. He looked completely betrayed. The last time he looked at me like that was when I told him I wanted a divorce.

"Who's the dad? Do we know him? Wait, how are you pregnant? You're a vampire!" Candice begins to bombard with questions.

"You look beautiful, Kayla." Kat smiles as she pulls me in for a soft hug.

"Thanks, Bonnie." I smile nervously. I look back at Candice. "The dad, he's back in New York," I made sure Julie added that little touch since that's exactly where I disappeared to. "And, uh," I peek over at Ian again, "let's just say that I made a deal with a very powerful witch and she made me human."

"What?!" Kat gasps.

Paul furrows his eyebrows. "Is that even possible?"