The Other Side

The Encounter

"Mom, remember when you were pregnant with Sam and I asked you how he got into your stomach?" I smile at her. "Yes, I do."

I got to come home today, so now I sit in my Mother's rocking chair, feeding Caleb a bottle of blood. He coos slightly and looks up at Damon and I. "What happened?" Christian asks. Damon looks down at me. "Elena and I went rigid."

"Yeah, then she said they'd tell me when I was older." He laughs and we all look at Caleb again. He stares at us, and as he finishes his bottle, I burp him. Damon gently brushes the brown fluff on the top of his head, then kisses it gently. "So where did you guys come up with the name Caleb?"

"I don't know. It just felt right."

"It's cute. Caleb is simple, unlike Evelyn or Samuel." She gives us both a pointed look.

"Evie is cute."

"She's right, Evie." Christian says.

"Hey, don't side with my Mother."

"I'm not complaining." Evie laughs and kisses him.

"Well, we better get going."

"Okay honey. We'll see you later." Suddenly we hear yelling. I gently place Caleb in his crib, and we both listen into the conversation.

"...COULD YOU LET THAT HAPPEN!!! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE TAKING CARE OF HIM!"

"HE IS AN ADULT, I DO NOT NEED TO MANAGE HIM, STEFAN!!" I walk out into the hall to see Stefan and Katherine radiating with anger.

"What the hell is going on?!?"

"Jade-"

"Katherine, NO!"

"THEY ARE MY FAMILY! THEY DESERVE TO KNOW!" Stefan runs a hand through his hair. "It is not bad. Both Ricky and Jade are adults."

"What's wrong?" She sighs. "Jade is pregnant." I shake my head. "What the hell is wrong with that?!? The two are MARRIED, I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner."

"THIS IS NONE OF YOUR GOD DAMN BUSINESS, ELENA!"

"Stefan, Ricky is and adult. If Evie got pregnant-"

"It wouldn't surprise me at all. She's a slut just like her mother!"

"HEY!" Damon walks out into the hallway as tears well up in my eyes. "What did you say about my daughter?"

"Are you deaf?!? I said your daughter is a slut, just like her MOTHER!" I shake my head. "This is about me sleeping with Elena that night. It's about you, angry that I got Elena. Because you're still in love with her-"

"Bullshit."

"No, it's not. You're angry that Elena's kids are mine."

"I AM NOT!"

"But you married Katherine because she looks like Elena, didn't you? You needed that person in your life, and because Elena chose me, you got your second choice."

"Damon, shut up."

"No. He's right Stefan." She looks at me. "I don't blame you, Elena. It's not your fault."

"Kath..." Stefan says. "Stefan, Damon revealed a part of you that I was terrified to uncover. So Farah and I are going to leave. We can file for divorce soon." She whispers.

"No, Katherine!"

"Stefan, you're angry about the fact that Damon and Elena slept together after homecoming." She heads downstairs. I chase after her. "Kath. Katherine, wait!" She turns around. "He's not lying. He might be angry, but he loves you." She hugs herself. "Do you really think so?" I nod. "He's just angry about Ricky. Damon wouldn't have reacted as harshly, but he wouldn't have been completely thrilled." She nods. "Thanks Elena." She follows me back upstairs and I go into the nursery. Damon looks up at me. "She's fine."