Our Future

chapter 21

Stefan's POV
    As soon as Damon opened the canteen I could smell the blood. Caroline, Damon, Elena, and I all tried the absolute hardest to hold back the urge that would take over us soon, in order to not scare Lexi. Lexi's sense of smell was definitely heightened, but it wasn't fully developed like Damon's, Caroline's, Elena's or mine. It took her a little bit longer to catch on to the smell, but she eventually caught it and followed it towards Damon. Elena looked worried, but I couldn't blame her. I was worried too. I mean our six year old daughter without a doubt was born with traits of vampirism, but we still had no idea how she would react emotionally and physically to all of this.

Lexi:"Can I have some uncle Damon?"

Damon looked up from Lexi and over to Elena and I with a look that asked for our permission to give her some. Elena and I both hesitantly nodded.

Damon:"Sure munchkin."

Damon handed her the canteen, and she gladly took a sip.

Lexi:"That's better than frosting!! What is it?"

Her eyes were wide with excitement. We all froze. Although we knew the question would come up we never anticipated for her to be so excited.

Damon:"I think your mom and dad can answer that for you."

She turned and walks back towards Elena and I. She hopped up on the couch and turned to face us. I both felt and heard Elena's breath begin to get shaky. I gently squeezed her hand for reassurance.

Stefan:"Well that is a special drink. Uncle Damon, aunt Caroline, mommy and I drink it and now so do you."

Lexi:"Why doesn't everyone else drink it?"

Elena:"They can't. This drink helps us get stronger, but it's not so good for everyone else."

Lexi:"Why?"

Stefan:"Well you're a witch, but you're also a vampire."

Lexi:"What?! I don't want to be a vampire!"

She reached for a pillow that sat next to her and covered her face once more. Elena got up and walked towards her. She sat behind her and placed her hand on her back, gently.

Elena:"It's okay just like you're a good witch, you're a good vampire. Like aunt Caroline, uncle Damon, daddy and I."

Lexi:"Really?"

Stefan:"Mhm. We don't hurt people, but that special drink helps us be strong."

Lexi:"Okay."

We all noticed that she had become tired, and it was a lot for her to take in. I got closer to her and Elena, and I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

Stefan:"Why don't you go get ready for bed and mommy and I will be up in a second to say goodnight."

She nodded and smiled just a bit. Then she got up and hugged everyone goodnight. Once she was up the stairs, and we could hear her shuffling through her things, Elena and I turned back to everyone and sighed. She sat closer to me, leaned into my chest, and I wrapped my arm around her waist whilst kissing the top of her head.

Stefan:"I know."

Alaric:"So what do you guys think you're going to do from here?"

Elena:"It's a lot for her to take in, so I think we're just going to take it slow. Tell her as much as we can without her getting overwhelmed."

Jenna:"That's a good plan."

Caroline:"Yeah, but what about the fact that there's a possibility that she could become a ripper?"

Stefan:"Well she only had a tiny sip of the blood, but that isn't enough to go full ripper for me. I don't know if it'll work the same way for her, but I think we're going to cushion everything as much as we can."

Jeremy:"Sounds good, but right now I think your daughter's waiting for her goodnight kiss."

Caroline:"Well I should probably go it's getting late."

Jenna:"Us too."

Damon, Bonnie, Elena, and I said goodnight to everyone and walked them out. Elena rested her head on my shoulder whilst I closed the door. I turned my head and kissed the top of hers. Then we walked hand in hand up the stairs to Lexi's room.

Elena's POV
    Stefan and I walked into Lexi's room and found her writing in her diary. I smiled at the sight. Stefan and I had gotten it for her last year on her birthday. Her face lit up when she saw it since she had always been fascinated by journals as Stefan and I had always written with her sitting in our lap or in-between us on our bed. As we reach the edge of her bed she finishes her writing and looks up at us with a small smile. We sit on her bed with her. Stefan and I on either side. I reach for her hand and enclose it in mine, and Stefan does the same with his own hands.

Elena:"How do you feel?"

Lexi:"Tired."

I look over at Stefan and we both hold back a laugh.

Stefan:"I think mommy means: How do you feel about being part witch and part vampire?"

Lexi:"I'm scared what of something happens to me? Are there others like me?"

Elena:"Well you were a very special little surprise. See you are one of a kind and no one—but you—has your powers and abilities."

Stefan:"—But mommy and I, aunt Bonnie and uncle Damon, and everyone else who loves you will be right by your side every step of the way to help you through it."

Stefan took my free hand in his and squeezed it just a bit whilst looking into my eyes. We sit there for a second, and then we look back down at Lexi.

Elena:"How about we go to sleep, and we can talk about all of it later okay."

Lexi:"Okay mommy."

Stefan:"Goodnight princess."

We both kiss her good night.

Lexi:"Goodnight daddy. Goodnight mommy."

Elena:"Goodnight baby."

As we head out I turn off the light, and Stefan closes the door behind us, slowly and quietly. Damon and Bonnie stand in the hallway waiting for us.

Bonnie:"How's she doing?"

Stefan:"She's fine, just a little tired."

Elena:"Yeah. We're just going to let her sleep. You know let everything sink in. It was a lot for her to take in."

Damon:"Well you two should get some sleep too. It's not easy being a parent to such a powerful little girl."

We all laughed quietly and said goodnight before heading for bed. Once Stefan and I were both dressed for bed, and we were laying down, he wrapped his arms around me reading them at my hips. My head lay on his chest as a few tears slipped from me.

Stefan:"I know it's hard, but I'm right by your side every step of the way."

Elena:"I'm just scared."

He kissed the top of my head and ran his hands up and down my arms.

Stefan:"I know. I am too, but nothing's going to happen as long as she has us, as long as she has you."

I smile and nod at his words. They comfort me, and I know that through it all I have Stefan.

Elena:"I love you."

Stefan:"I love you too."

I look upwards and find his lips. I place a long loving kiss against them and then fall, softly, back into his chest. Feeling as it rises and falls with every breath he takes.

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    Get ready it's coming!!!! I am both excited and mad at myself for coming up with the things that will unravel in the following chapters because I, obviously being the writer in this equation, know how the books ends, but I think you'll all like what's in store for the book. I hope you guys liked this chapter and will stick around 'till the end.
                                   Love,
                                       Cami💛💛