Beautiful Accident

Chapter 15: Double Trouble

Elena was sitting on the couch reading a book. Actually, the book was only a cover, so Stefan wouldn't be coming to her every second, asking her is she feeling okay, or does she need anything. He was acting like she's going to break any minute now. And she had a feeling she will, but she was not about to confess that to him.

Ever since Nik showed up in front of their front door two weeks ago, she's been on needles. She knew this kind of a stress and worrying is not good for the babies, especially this late in the pregnancy, but she couldn't help herself. She hasn't seen Nik since that day. Truth be told, she went out only couple of times during these previous two weeks, and she was always with either Stefan, Caroline or Lexi. Sometimes she would stand in front of a window, hiding behind curtains, thinking he's maybe watching her, although she was sure there is no way to see clearly to the apartment from the street. She was becoming paranoid. She was convinced he's up to something. But she was trying to hide her concerns from Stefan, she did not want him to worry too much.

Since she told him what kind of life she was living before she moved to Mystic Falls, she felt so vulnerable in front of him, and she has not decided if that was a good or a bad thing. She trusted him. She believed him. She cared for him. She wanted to share everything with him, because she hated lies, and she hated pretending. But she did not want to expose herself too much. She did not want to make herself so comfortable. Because she was scared. Not of him. She was not scared of Stefan turning into someone else, or her evoking his bad sides, not anymore. She was living with Stefan long enough, and she knew him long enough, to know that is not possible.

But she was scared that one day she is going to wake up and realize none of this is real. Like everything has been a dream where she finally got everything she wished for. Like someone pulled some cruel prank on her. She was scared he will realize he can do better, he can do more.

And she did not want to live like that. She did not want to be controlled by fear, especially fear that is telling her she is not good for someone else. She is done with that life. She's going to be a mother now. She has to be good enough, she has to believe she is, and she doesn't need someone else telling her otherwise. Although she was sure Stefan would never tell her something like that, even if he thought it.

"Hey" - she heard his voice next to her ear, so she raised her head from the book and looked at his face. "I brought you some snacks" - he had put a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies on a table in front of her. Stefan was like one of those soccer moms, he baked and baked and baked cookies like there was no tomorrow.

"Thanks" - she said as she smiled lightly, although she was not even remotely hungry. But they smelled so good. Maybe she will take one. Just one.

"Here, let me help you" - he took a plate from the table and brought it closer to her. But in the moment he did so, she stretched her hand out to reach for the cookie, and her hand scraped against his. As soon as she felt his skin against hers, she twitched and pulled her hand back. He was taken back by her reaction.

He noticed she has been acting strange, different, since the day her ex showed up on their doorstep, but he did everything possible to let her know he will stick by her through anything. That he doesn't think any less of her, or cares for her any less.

"Elena.." - he said softly while putting his hand on hers. He could feel how stiff her body is. She looked pale, too. His eyes locked on her face, and she was already staring at him.

He started pulling his finger up her arm. "What he did to you was awful" - he said with a low and steady voice while pulling his finger slowly up her arm. She could feel goosebumps on her skin. "No one deserves to be treated like that, especially not someone as pretty, smart and talented as yourself" - his compliments stuck in her ear long after they escaped his lips. Now his finger was on her shoulder, tracing her collar bone, then smoothness of her neck. "But I'm not him" - he raised his look from her neck onto her eyes. He was tracing the lines of her beautiful face with his finger. Finally, he cupped her face with both of his hands. Her cheeks were so warm under his thumbs. "I wish you would give me a chance to prove that to you" - he looked at her, trying to memorize the lines of her face, the smoothness of her skin, her big, beautiful chestnut eyes and matching hair. She started blushing. She felt so big under his look. The way he talked about her.. she had a feeling she can do anything she wants. "Will you give me a chance?" - he asked hopefully.