Humanity 6 "The Change"

Epilogue

***1 Year Later***

ASHLEY'S POV

"Babe, where are the diapers that you just bought?" I hear Damon yell from the baby's room as I continue scrubbing the kitchen counter.

"Um, they should be by the changing table." I call back.

"Well, they aren't." He argues.

I'm about to say something back, when I hear Damon's phone start vibrating on the table. I hurry over to pick up it.

"Hey, Stefan." I greet, putting the phone between my ear and shoulder as I continue to clean.

"Hey, I was wondering if it was alright if I brought a guest tonight?" He asks, and a wicked smile grows on my face.

"Does that guest happen to be Caroline?" I ask.

"No, actually, she's out of town." He says with a sigh.

"Oh, really?" I frown. "Where?"

"She flew to Chicago for some fashion show thing with Bonnie. Oh, by they way, did you hear that Bonnie and Jeremy are back together."

"Look at Stefan with all the gossip." I say with a smile.

"Well, someone has to keep you two in the loop." He says, and I giggle. "So, how are you guys?"

"Good." I say honestly. "We're really good."

"That's nice to hear, Ashley. I'm really happy for you guys. I hope you know that."

I take a deep breath as I sit down at the bar stool. "I do know that, Stefan. And I'm sorry that it all had to happen this way. I wish that there was a way for us to have all taken the cure. The last thing I wanted was to take your brother away from you."

"No, no, no. Don't say that. I don't blame you at all." He assures me. "It's just the way things panned out. No hard feelings."

"Are you sure?" I ask one last time.

"Positive. If I wasn't, do you think I'd be driving all the way to Tribeca tonight to see you guys." He points out, and I laugh.

"Ashley, I really need those diapers!" I hear Damon yell, and I roll my eyes.

"Very true." I say quickly to Stefan. "Listen, I have to go. Damon's about to have a daddy-breakdown. I'll see you tonight."

I hear Stefan laughing as I hang up. When I set Damon's phone down, I notice he has three texts from one of the guys that works at the bar. That's probably not good.

I hurry into Melanie's room to find Damon holding her down to the changing table as she flails around, screaming and crying.

"You couldn't have looked a little harder?" I ask as I walk over to the crib and pull the new box of diapers out from underneath it.

"You said by the changing table." He reminds me.

"Just forget it. I'll handle this." I say, playfully, pushing him out of the way. "Jim from the bar keeps texting you. You might wanna go figure out what he wants."

He sighs deeply before kissing my forehead and leaving the room.

"It's okay, Mel Mel, mommy's here." I say gently as I start putting the clean diaper onto my daughter.

When I'm finished, I pull her into my arms and bounce her up and down, causing her to stop crying.

"That's a good girl. Today's a happy day." I smile at her as she starts giggling. "Uncle Stefan's coming to visit today. Yes he is."