Stefan's Hope

Chapter 17: Christmas Day

3 Months Later

Stefan's POV
It's been three months since we saw Elijah, Rebekah, Kol, Gabby, Hayley, and Klaus. Gabby kept her promise; she calls Damon and us once a day to let us know she's okay. She's never missed a day since she left and I'm glad she calls us. After that letter, I've been worried sick about her.

Hope and I are celebrating Christmas this year with everyone. Tyler has gotten used to Hope and has actually given her a chance. He likes her now and sees she's nothing like her father, except for the attitude.

He only gave her a chance because Liv was ignoring him because of his rude attitude towards Hope, but now he sees she's her own person. He's finally letting go of his anger towards Klaus. Hope already came up with a nickname for him: Ty-Ty.

Elena and Damon are still having trouble adjusting and for that everyone including Tyler are furious with them. Tyler explained to them that she's nothing like Klaus, and just because Hope's his child doesn't mean she's like him. They didn't listen.

Elena is so blinded by rage along with Damon. Ugh, I swear those two are working my last nerve. Hope runs up to me and says "Daddy! Daddy! I can't wait till we open our presents tomorrow morning!" And I say "I know sweetie, I can't wait till you see what I got you." She squeals and says "ditto."

I say "okay Hope, tomorrow is a busy day. Time for bed." Hope smiles and says playfully "usually I would complain, but because I'm excited about Christmas Day tomorrow I'll give you a break, just this one time."

I laugh and say playfully "yeah okay, go on to bed little lady. I'll be up to tuck you in, in a minute. Let me just help your Aunt Caroline, Shontae, Erin, Uncle Greg, and your grandmothers." She smiles and says "okay!"

Hope hugs me and kisses my cheek and I kiss hers. We pull away and she runs upstairs to get ready for bed. I walk into the living room and see Erin, Caroline, momma G, Greg, and mom putting ornaments on the tree Greg got us.

Erin says "and done! All ready to go tomorrow." Shontae says "yeah, finally! You and Caroline be going overboard!" I laugh at Shontae's outburst. Erin says "this is Hope's first big family Christmas." Caroline says "yeah! And we want it to be special for her."

Shontae shrugs her shoulders saying true because she wants the same thing for Hope. I say "as do I." Momma G and mom say "same here!" And Greg says "ditto." Kayla walks in and asks "do Elena and Damon have to be here? We want Hope to be surrounded by people that love her, not despise her because of her father."

Kayla has a point: I'm starting to think about uninviting them. Erin says "she's right, Hope needs to feel loved not sad." Mom says "they have a point. Someone needs to talk to Damon and Elena and get them in line. Every time they're around her, she sees it by the way they look at her that they don't like her and that makes her sad."

Momma G says "Greg should do it!" And Greg asks "why me? Why not Stefan? They're so called "tolerating her" for him." Shontae says "right! Stefan, you should do it. Talk to them. Get them in line... For Hope's sake." I soften up hearing Shontae say for Hope. Those two words are ringing in my head.

I say "I am! Tomorrow though." Kayla says "cool!" And mom says "just get them in line. I hate seeing Hope so sad." I mumble "yeah, me too." After a while, everyone left to their homes, but first mom and momma G gave Hope a kiss goodnight then left.