Twins [Stefan, Oliver....]

Ian was happy for being back home... He had a feeling that his parents were going to find a way after they separated for the last time, he hoped. He had seen the change on his father... First, for wanting to seel his night club. With his new/old hand, Eric wanted to start a new business... He wanted to start a ranch, and raise fine horses for those fancy races. Eric was happy, and he wanted to start over.

But the most amazing thing his father did was accepting Stefan. Ian was overjoyed that he could finally love him without having the guilty on his shoulders... Sure his father was still uncomfortable around then, but the signs of the changing was clear in his eyes, his voice.

The afternoon started well. His mother was at the hospital, and his father looking after his new business. He had to take care of Emma, and study, and he had the whole house for himself... And Stefan, making him soem company. Ian put Emma to sleep, and walked back to the living room. He sat upon Stefan's lap and kissed his lips softly, ''I'm tired of studying'', he cooed softly as he stretched upon his lap and laid down on the couch, resting his head upon his legs. It had just started to rain, and Ian loved to sleep hearing the sound of the water falling upon the roof. ''Nap time'', he chimed, with a boyish smile. Ian was happier, even if his brother was off... He knew Chris would be happy to see the change into their family, and how their parents looked better than never.

Stefan didn't mind spending time with Ian while he studied. He was proud of him for getting to the school he wanted. Even if the work did put a cramp on their time together. He was just happy to be back with him. He smiled against the kiss and returned it with a tenderness reserved just for him. As Ian laid down, Stefan relaxed into the sofa and stroked the boys hair affectionately. "I love you," She murmured absently, listening to the sound of Ian's breathing and the rain over the house. He was a bit tired, too, so he settled with leaning his head back and closing his eyes, his hand playing with the boys hair even in his sleep. 

A few hours passed when the front door came open, Kida carrying her purse on one shoulder and holding Eric's hand with her free hand. Elena would be trailing in from the car as well. She smirked a bit as she saw the two boys passed out on the sofa. She shook her and let go of Eric's hand as she put her purse down and went over, kissing Stefan's forehead. He stirred a bit and cracked open an eye, adjusting to the light before blinking his green hues open. "Oh... Hey, Mrs. Storm," he smiled through his sleep ridden state. "Good afternoon, Stefan," she chimed. "Wake Ian up. We're having dinner here," She said quietly. Stefan nodded and looked down to the sleeping boy on his lap. He stroked his cheek gently and leaned down, sealing a soft kiss on his lips. "Ian..." He hummed softly, then kissed his nose, cheek, temple, and forehead to stir him from his sleep. "Your parents are home," He informed. "Elena?" Kida called. "Care to come learn how to stirfry vegetables?" She smiled from the kitchen. 

Stefan looked over at Eric after Ian was awake and gave an honest smile, happy to see him. "How was work?" He inquired. He loved horses. When he was younger, John had taken him to a ranch. He'd been scared of the large animals at first, but taken quickly to them. When John started to see how Stefan truly was, they'd stopped going to that ranch. So, to know that Eric had one now was a joy for him.

Elena climbed oout from the car just behind Kida, and smiled when she saw her big brother on the couch, with his boyfriend. ''Hi there, spectacles boy...'', Elena murmured in a playful way and leaned down to kiss his cheek softly... She was feeling caring that week, and kissed everyone on the cheeks, Kida, Eric, and even Oliver she would kiss. And she really thought her brother looked cute with those glasses. She looked over to the kitchen, and stopped for a moment, she saw no point on learning how to stir vegetable when she had maids that could make that for her... But she went to Kida anyway.

Eric sat on the chair and smiled to Stefan. ''It was exausting... The ranch is done the horses are arriving only by the weekend'', he said softly. He loved to talk of his new job, he was good at that, and it was kind of ironic that he ended up to do something he wanted to get over in Nirethia... it was true when they said you can only find happiness into the simple things. He eyed Ian then, the boy looked weird, and he really was... Ian woke up with a small chuckle as Stefan kissed all over his face, and opened his blue baby hues and looked at Stefan with a small grin.

Ian blinked once, and when he opened his eyes, they were turned and white. Ian was feeling a supernatural thing upon him, he imagined it was because he was using magic to help him study, but his instinct was telling him it was something else, but he couldn't tell why he knew that, but something bad was going to happen. ''Ian?'', Eric called, and then Ian turned his blue hues back to him. As he turned them, he got out from the short trance and started coughing heavily. He felt like he had no air in his lungs, he felt like he was dying. ''Mom?'', he called, in a small broken voice as tried to seat up. Only Ian could sound like a little boy, and he was fighting hard to put some air in his lungs, ''What's wrong with me?'', he asked in one breath... It felt like he was drowning.

Stefan smiled and nodded to Eric's words, but soon cast his attention onto Ian. He furrowed his brows, not liking the look Ian had. His eyes were not Ian's. He sat up straight with Ian and put his hand on his back when the boy started coughing. "Ian...?" he asked, concern laced in his voice. Kida hurried back into the room and creased her brow, putting her hand on Ian's cheek. "I don't know," She admitted, honestly. "Just breathe, baby... It'll pass," She said softly, though the feeling of unease shifted from him to her as well.

Oliver fiddled with an envelope outside, staring at the house before him. He didn't want to go in there. He knew Elena was there, too. Christian's whole family was in there. And he had to be the one to break their hearts. He didn't care about what had happened between himself and Ian and Stefan now. He just didn't want to do this. He sighed and looked in his side mirror as he adjusted his captains hat and his uniform. He looked nice in his military uniform, but that meant nothing if this was the reason for him to wear it again. 

He stood up straight and walked up to the front door. His hand hovered over the door for a moment before he sighed heavily and knocked a few times. Kida looked over and frowned slightly, not expecting anyone. "I've got it," she murmured. She smoothed out her clothing and pulled her hair over one shoulder as she moved over to the door and pulled it open. She gave a small grin to Oliver, though seeing him in his military uniform instantly put her nerves on edge. "Oliver... What are you...?" She questioned slowly. Oliver took off his hat and pursed his lips before standing straighter and putting on a stoic expression. "Mrs. Storm..." he said softly, extending his hand to her and handing her the envelope. Kida furrowed her brows and took the envelope. She pulled it open and took the letter from within it.

The Department of the United States Army deeply regrets to inform you that your son, Christian Storm, was killed in duty. We extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. All of his belongings will be sent back to you. 


Kida's knees gave out, sending her onto the ground with a pain shooting through her that she could not describe. She couldn't breathe. She gripped the paper tightly. She curled over and finally let out a deeply pained sound that accompanied a sob. Oliver looked away, his eyes closed tightly. Stefan sat there, frozen in his seat. Those weren't Ian's eyes he'd seen just a few moments ago. They were Christians. He didn't know what he should feel. A part of him still hated Christian. But, the other part regretted everything he had ever done.

Ian looked at his mother, hoping she could help him. There was something in his core that told him that something really bad happened, and then his brother's name poped into his mind. He turned his gaze away from her to the door, and tried to held her still. He didn't want her to open that door... He didn't want to see what was behind it, but he had no strenght to make her stop, and he couldn't find his voice. He was feeling so cold.

Eric frowned and stood behind Kida as she opened the door. He trusted Stefan enough to take care of his son. He made a face seeing Oliver all dressed up in his military clothing, and felt how Kida tensed up. First Ian, now this.... He looked at the paper, and then the content of the letter. His heart stopped a few beats, but he was fast to support Kida as she went to her knees... ''Babe...'', he whispered brokenly, and cuddled her in his lap as he sat on the floor, not finding strength to be standing up after those news. He was feeling a sharp pain in his chest, and wrapped his arms around Kida, to stand her up... He knew he had to be strong for her, but hell... Christian was his son too, and he couldn't hold back the soft sobs and closed his eyes, as he kissed Kida's temple.

Ian shook his head, already guessing waht was happening... He connected the points, and already knew what happened... He felt what Christian had felt when he was.... No, he couldn't be dead. He turned his teared eyes to Stefan and started crying lightly, as he leaned into his embrace. The only person who wasn't in tears on the room was Elena... She got curious, but didn't approach closer to Ian when he woke up and started coughing, and neither walked closer to the other when Oliver showed up, all dressed up like a soldier. She saw the reactions of Kida, Eric and Ian, and even thought all the evidences pointed to the worst, she couldn't admit it. Christian had promissed her he was coming back to her... She also noted she was the only standind up.... Alone... In the room.

''What's wrong with you, Oliver??'', she snapped, poking on his chest, ''Halloween is only next month... Why you dressed up like a good soldier?'', she demanded.

Oliver sighed as he tried to not listen to all of them crying. The worst would be Elena, and he knew that. He looked towards her, seeing the denial in her eyes and in her voice. "Elena..." He started slowly, anxiety laced through his veins. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "Here..." He sighed and reached within his suit to another envelope. It was one that smelled of Christian, because it was the last letter he had written to her. "They were able to get this from the camp he had been kept at after he was taken... They informed me that the culprits behind his and his groups abduction have been taken down," He said grimly as he handed the letter to her. It spoke of how much he loved her. How he knew he was going to be killed. How he wanted her to be strong and go on without him despite the pain. It was obvious that there were tear marks on the page, smearing some of the words. Inside of the envelope was a picture of him and Elena that he had taken with him.

''No... You're not sorry... You are a liar, Oliver! And this is a really bad taste joke!'', she scoffed, and paled when she saw the envelope he was about to hand her. She didn't listen to what he said, her eyes fixed on the paper that looked exactly like the others Christian sent her every week. She eyed Oliver for a long moment, ignoring the other crying behind her. Her hands were a bit shaken as she opened it, and took the letter from inside.

She staggered as she read the letter, and felt an indescribable pain when she noticed the tears marks all over the paper. He was in pain when he wrote that, she looked around, to the others, and finally reality sank in her... Christian was gone, or maybe that was only a nightmare. She pinched her sides, and felt the pain, but was nothing compared to what she was feeling inside, she read the letter once more and looked inside of the envelope.... She regretted it on the moment she saw the other content. The pictured of them, they took on the back of his car, right after he asked her to be his girlfriend. She sobbed, and put her hand in her head, rubbing her forehead... ''You said you was coming back to me...'', she whispered quiety, to herself... ''You said I should be strong and go on despite this pain I'm feeling... But how? How are we suppose to life without you?, she asked to herself, thinking of their daughter, and all the plans she had made for when those years in military were gone.

Oliver watched her, and instantly faltered as he saw the pain she was in. He didn't care that she yelled at him. He knew how hard it was to accept something like this. He hadn't accepted that Ryan was gone, even when he had held him dying. He couldn't just let her stand there shaking. He moved over to her and wrapped his strong arms around her, gently blocking her from the pain if he could. He didn't say anything. He just held her, knowing she needed comfort more than anything. It was a cold feeling when someone so close to you died. Feeling the warmth from someone else was more comfort than any kind of words. 

Stefan shook his head and pulled Ian close, holding him and stroking his back and hair. He cried silently, mostly for their pain. He was not close to Christian. But, seeing as the last time he'd seen him, he'd tried to kill him... He closed his eyes and held Ian closer, a nagging regret eating at him now. 

Kida curled into Eric, the pain of losing her son bringing back horrible memories of the first time she'd lost Jacob. Fate was cruel for taking two of her children from her. In the back of the house, she heard Emma crying. Without even thinking about it, she got up and went to her, bringing the little girl into her arms. She held her and Emma stopped her crying, seeing that her mother was in pain. Oliver looked towards Eric and gave him a empathetic look, trying to convey how sorry he was. "Christian was a good man... A very good friend of mine. I..." He tried to find something to say, but came with nothing. "My commanding officer wants me to help you with the arrangements... They'll be flying him back in tomorrow," He said quietly.

Elena leaned into Oliver's embrace, and lost it... She cried lightly, crumpling her hands onto his fancy suit as the tears ran freely on her cheeks. She shook her head, and kept deying it on her head, Chris had promissed he was coming back to her, and they were going to get married. She would be 20, and he 22. They would have a beautiful daugther, and a nice house on the suburb, where they would raise their baby. Some stupid terrorists just couldn't take all those dreams from her.

Ian curled closer to Stefan and cried lightly upon his shoulder... ''I knew something bad was going to happen... I felt how he had felt... It was horrible, Stefan.... I'm not feeling alright'', he mumbled quietly.

Eric smoothed Kida's back tenderly, and tried to conceal all of his pain, at least in front of everyone. He was in much pain, his eyes could tell it, he eyes always tell everyone what was really in his soul. He stood up and brushed his pants off as he cleaned the few tears upon his cheeks. ''That's nice of you helping us...'', Eric said quietly, and nodded recognizing how truly sorry he was. ''Has the Army already set up something for us, or we should start it now?'', he asked quietly. Elena shut her eyes, and tried to control her sobbing, she wanted to blame someone for what happened, Stefan, her father, Chris... but the only one she could blame was herself... If she hadn't sent that message to him, if they hadn't sneaked out that night...

Eric turned his hues to Kida, and wrapped one arm around her, as he leaned down and kissed the top of Emma's head. Elena cracked one eye towards them, and shook her head, tuning her full gaze to the couple... ''I'm so sorry... This is all my fault... If I hadn't started it that night... Chris would be still with us'', she sobbed and leaned into Oliver since she couldn't find strenght to keep on her feet. She needed to be home... ''Can someone please take me home?'', she asked quietly... She didn't want to be there, she wanted her parents embrace, without Chris with her, her parents were the only true rock she could rely on and feel strong.

Oliver held Elena, not caring if she got makeup stains on his suit or soaked it through with her tears. He just wanted to comfort her. He felt that he had to. Maybe he hadn't trained Christian to be strong enough. Maybe it was his fault. Maybe if he hadn't of called him before the attack, he would have been more focused. He sighed and nodded towards Eric. "All that you need to decide is where you would like to put him," He said quietly. Kida whimpered and shied closer to Eric. However, as she heard Elena mention going home, her mind went to John. "It's not your fault, Elena... If it's anyone's, it's John's," She whispered, an anger boiling up in her. If John hadn't of given them such a drastic choice, her son would have never chosen the most dangerous one. 

Stefan held Ian and kissed the side of his head. "Baby... C'mon. We'll go lay down," He said softly and helped him up. He gave a sad look and sighed before leading Ian up to his bedroom. He laid down with him on the bed and pulled him close against his chest. He smoothed his hair and his back, trying to think of anything but the guilt in his chest. 

Oliver looked away and sighed. "I'll take you home, Elena. It's the least I can do," He murmured and gently lifted her up, knowing she wasn't doing so well on her feet. He carried her out to his car and set her into her seat before climbing in and driving. 

Kida held Emma close and leaned against Eric, a mixture of sadness, grief, and anger rushing through her veins. "It's like Jacob all over again," She whispered, moving over to the sofa and sitting down, no longer able to stand her weight on her feet. "Why does God hate me so much?" She whispered brokenly, not understanding why she had to lose her children.

Eric brought Kida closer to his chest, and nodded. He felt some relief they needed to decided so little about the funeral, he had no mind of thinking of it... He was having a hard time to believe his son was gone. He sighed at Elena's words and shook his head... It was nobody's fault... How could she or John know of what could happen with Chris... His son was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He sat Kida upon the couch and laid her head upon his shoulder. ''Shh... Let's not think of this, okay... I don't understand why it happen, I just know we should think of other things... Like comforting Ian, we both know how he was connected to his brother, and also... We have to decide where we should rest him''. he said quietly, trying his best to keep a straight voice.

Ian let Stefan led him to their room. He was in shock... A part of him didn't believe his brother was dead, but he felt that pain, the urge to breath, to put air in his lungs... He curled into Stefan and let his gaze get lost, what was he going to do without his twin?

Elena shook her head... It was her fault, not her father or Stefan... If she hadn't been so stubborn, if she had followed the rules and stayed home tonight... She could have waited for the weekend, so her parents wouldn't have made any objection to see him. She nodded and wrapped her arms around Oliver's neck, and curled into herself once she was in his car. She quieted her sobs, but she couldn't feel her heart beating upon her chest.

---

Marina was zapping the tv channels and smiled lightly when John came to seat by her side on the couch. She shared her blanket with him and leaned into his chest. They had just had dinner and she was just wanting to enjoy her husband. ''Do you want to watch any show on Tv? You need to distract your mind from work'', she murmured softly and pecked his lips gently before turning her gaze towards the TV again.

Kida shook her head and hid into Eric's chest, holding Emma close. The girl stayed quiet against her mother, knowing it wasn't the time to cause an upset, despite her young age. "I don't want to lay him to rest, Eric... I want him back..." She whimpered. She regretted not spending as much time with her son now. She regretted spending more time with Ian over Christian. What if he'd hated her over that? She whimpered again softly and closed her eyes tightly, too many thoughts and emotions rushing through her to concentrate on anything but her tears.

Stefan held Ian close, kissing his cheek and nuzzling his nose to his ear. "Baby... Talk to me. Please don't shut down," He whispered, kissing his forehead and his nose gently. 

Oliver looked over at the girl in his passenger seat and sighed heavily. He reached over and gently held her hand, giving it a small squeeze to try and offer her comfort. 

---

John moved close to Marina, wrapping his arms around her and smirking a bit. "I don't mind... Whatever makes you happy, love," He whispered and kissed her jaw softly. 

Oliver got out of the car and went around, helping Elena out. He walked her to the front door and knocked. John got up and went over to it, pulling open the door. "Elena..." He started, then eyed Oliver in his suit. His gaze softened and he eyed the look Elena had on her face. He pulled her over into his arms. "Thank you for bringing her back to us, Oliver... We'll speak with Kida and Eric soon," He said softly. Oliver nodded. "Elena... Call me if you need anything," he said softly and walked back to his car. 

John lifted Elena and carried her over to the sofa to Marina. He cradled her on his lap. "Baby girl..." he sighed and kissed her temple.

Eric pursed his lips and cradled her over to his lap... ''We all want him back, but...'', he whispered quietly, and leaned his forehead agaisnt her head. They needed to be strong, Eric should be used to this feeling of losing a beloved one, but it felt like it gotten worse to bare the pain... The only reason keeping him from breaking down was knowing that he needed to be strong for Kida, and for Ian if he needed. He could conceal his feeling for now.

Ian whimpered quietly, ''But it hurts... Christian was my big brother, and...'', he trailed off and hid his face on the crook of his neck, sobbing lightly. He had never felt this hurt before, not even when he was apart from Stefan... Losing his twin, his other half didn't feel wrong.... It felt painfully.

---

''Goodie'', Marina hummed and stopped her zapping when she found the movie she wasn John wanted to watch on some channel. She leaned the remote down and yawned softly. She then turned her gaze towards the door and frowned, They weren't expecting anyone. She pursed her lips and watched as John went to open the door, and she instantly tensed up.... She was getting a bad feeling.

Elena's gaze was down as her father opened the door, the last letter Christian wrote safely into her hands. She leaned into John's arm and turned her shy gaze up to Oliver... ''Okay... Thank you for taking me home'', she said quietly and reached for his hand, squeezing his softly before he went back to his car. She whimpered weakly when her father lift her in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. Marina did't see Oliver, or heard what they talked, so when John brought Elena, she got worried to see her daughter already crying. ''What's wrong?'', she asked quietly to John as she got closer to them, and soothed Elena's arm softly.

''He's dead... They captured and executed him'', she sobbed, ''He said he was comging back to marry me... And I don't know what to do... I'm pregnant'', she whispered the last part, looking from her father to her mother. Marina shook her head and kissed her daughter's forehead softly, ''You're not alone, baby girl... We're here for you'', she murmured softly.

Kida shook her head and curled close. She knew Eric was just as torn up about this as she was. She didn't want this to drive a stake in between them. She needed him. She couldn't be distant. She took in a shaky breath and kept herself there with him instead of letting her mind wander off. "Please don't hide your feelings, Eric... I'll feel like I'm the only one," She whispered, looking up at him. She knew he was trying to be strong for her, but after just hearing the news, the last thing she wanted was for her to be the only one sitting there crying. She wanted his comfort, and to know he cared as much as she did about Christian. 

Stefan pulled Ian closer, if possible, and cradled his head against his shoulder. "I know it hurts, baby... I just don't want you to close off from me. I want to know how you're feeling," He murmured, kissing his temple. He was still conflicted on how he should even feel about the whole situation. He just knew he needed to be there for Ian. 

---

John's jaw tightened when he heard the new confirmed. However, he wasn't ready to hear that his baby girl was pregnant at such a young age and planning on marriage. Still, though, seeing her crying drew back his temper. He sighed and hugged her close. He didn't know what to say to her. He could just hold her. He'd had a feeling something was up with her when she was spending so much time with the Storm's even after Chrisitan had gone to war.

Of course, now a nagging feeling set in. He'd been the one who forced him to go to war. He knew the boy wouldn't choose jail or banishment from his daughter. He would choose what would make him a better man. Never had join thought that would lead to him being killed. "I'm so sorry, Elena," He whispered to his daughter, bowing his head and hugging her close as he rested his forehead lightly on her shoulder, trying to express his guilt while comforting her.

Eric shook his head, and kissed Kida's temple gently before kissing the top of Emma's head as well. ''Baby, I just want to be strong for you... You need me comforting you, and not crying his loss as well'', she said quietly, not able to contain a few fears from falling upon his face. ''I'm as torn as you babe... I can't believe our baby is gone...'', he staggered and shut his eyes tight. No, he wasn't going to lose it, not yet. He turned his blue hues to her, ''You need more to be comforted at this moment than me'', he murmured quietly.

Ian sobbed lightly and leaned into his embrace, ''I feel terrible, Stefan. I never felt this pain before, not even while we were apart... I feel like there is a part of me missing... I feel empty, and it hurts... It's not right not having Chris around'', Ian cried. He had a deep bond with his brother, they were together even befor they were born, and now Ian was feeling like a mess.

---

Marina already knew Elena was pregnant before their daughter informed them. She didn't want her daughter to be pregnant so young, and all they could do was supporting her while Chris was abroad. With the news, Marina felt devasted for Elena, if she could, she would take all of the pain from her children, she hated to see them in any kind of pain, and seeing Elena and now John is such pain was heartbreaking. She sat on her knees on the couch and wrapped her arms around them, kissing the top of Elena's head before kissing John's temple. The look in his face was telling him he was feeling guilty about what happened to Chris.

Elena leaned into her parents arms and sobbed, ''I wanted to blame you for what happened, dad'', she sobbed, and looked at her father with her blurred eyes. ''I wanted to blame Stefan, and Chris for not keeping his promisse... But I have no one to blame except me... If I hadn't sneak off that night.... He would be still here with us'', she covered her face with her hands and leaned into her mother while more tears followed the other ones.

Kida whimpered softly and leaned into him. She cried when she looked up and saw that he really was in pain -- the look in his eyes telling her that clearly. "Baby..." She whispered and nuzzled her head into his neck. "I feel numb," she said after a long while, her tears quieting up as she leaned against him. "I hate this..." She whispered, opening her eyes and staring blankly at the wall. 

Stefan smoothed Ian's hair and sighed, squeezing his eyes tightly and hugging him closer. "I love you," He whispered, trying to let Ian know he was there. He wanted to make sure he knew that Stefan was there for him -- that he would be there for him. "Christian loves you... I love you... He wouldn't want you to suffer this badly, baby," He whispered, nuzzling his nose together.

---

John shook his head and hugged them both close. "I love you," He said simply. What else could he say? "It's not your fault... It's no one's fault except those who hurt him... And, they're taken care of," He said quietly, stroking her head. "We'll get through this, sweetheart," He sighed and kissed the side of her head. "Tell me what you need. A warm drink? A blanket? Anything to make you comfortable right now."

Eric held her closely to his chest, and looked at Emma staying quiet into Kida's arms. It even looked like their daughter knew something was going on, something really bad had happened. He kissed Kida's temple once more, and gave a smile to the girl, assuring everything was going to be fine, that she wouldn't have to worry of anything. ''What... Who would like a situation like this? I hate it just as much you hate...'', he pursed his lips, ''If only I could make something, maybe some spell to go back in time and don't allow him to get into that plane...'', he said with a hoarsed voice. He didn't want to cry, but he had struggled more than he could bare with the feeling. He was proud of his son going to military, he imagined it was something good... But it ended like that. Eric started sobbing lightly, and shut his eyes while he leaned his head upon Kida's.

Ian closed his eyes and leaned more into Stefan's embrace. ''I love you too'', he murmured quietly in between his sobs. He loved Stefan with all his heart, and wanted him by his side through this painful moment, and he was right... Christian wouldn't like to see him suffering like that. But he also didn't want him to go back to Stefan... Should he start listening to his brother at that moment.... ''Christian loved me, and he also wanted me far from you'', he murmured quietly after a long moment he put himself together, he turned his blue baby hues up to Stefan. ''Was he also right about that one as well?''

---

''I love you too, daddy'', Elena murmured quietly, turning her big brown hues to John. ''I can't have what I need... I need him...'', she shrugged lightly and tried to clean the tears from her face. ''I'm so sorry if I disappointed you. I-I know you're upset about me and my baby... But I didn't plan it, it just happened... Christian'', she sobbed ligtly as she said his name, ''He proposed to me before he even knew I was waiting a child... We were making plans for when these four years were over, but now....'', she trailed and took a deep breath, ''They are all dead...'', she whispered and pursed her lips, pretty close to break down again;

Marina kissed Elena's temple softly, ''Take her to our room... Our bed has enough room for three people'', she murmured, knowing that Elena used to sleep with them when she got nightmares when she was just a child... Sometimes, the three of them jumped into the bed at the morning, and the five of them had breakfast in bed. ''I'll make some hot chocolate for you, okay?'', Elena nodded and smiled weakly.

Kida looked up at him and frowned, seeing how hard he was trying to be strong. Sure, she didn't want to see him cry, but she didn't like seeing him rejecting how he was really feeling. He leaned close to him when he finally did start to cry and held his hand. They needed each other. In that moment, she was truly glad they had come back together. She wouldn't have been able to handle it if they had been apart and this news had come to her. 

Stefan held him, kissing his temple gently to try and soothe him. However, when he heard the question, he stilled. He looked at him, his eyes hurt, but understanding. He knew why he was asking. "No. Yes? I don't know, baby," He sighed, rubbing his arm gently. "Christian wanted you away from me because of my anger issues... But... You should know by now that If I would take myself out before I laid another hand on you," He said quietly, his eyes tender with love. "Christian and I didn't see eye to eye... I'm sorry for that. I know it caused you pain... I feel like shit about it now, I do," He admitted, leaning back and resting his forearm on his forehead. "You're choice about me is yours alone. Not Chris's or your parents or even mine. I can't promise I wouldn't go insane without you again, but..." he trailed off, then turned his emerald hues onto Ian. "I love you," He sighed and kissed his forehead. 

---

"I'm not... disappointed," John sighed after a long moment. "I've always wanted grandchildren... I just... didn't expect them to come while I'm still so young," He mumbled with a small pout, trying to lighten the mood at least a little bit. He kissed her temple and sighed, hugging her close. "C'mon, angel," He said softly and lifted her up. "Thank you, love," he said quietly towards Marina and kissed her temple before carrying Elena to the bedroom. 

He sat down onto the bed and cradled Elena there. "I'm so sorry..." He said once they were away from Marina, his green hues showing his guilt for what happened. He had sent Christian out. He couldn't help but feel guilty. If he hadn't of done that, he wouldn't be dead.

Eric hated the way he was feeling, he hated he couldn't be strong for Kida, but the ache he had in his chest was bigger than he could ever bare. He had changed, he was becoming the good man everyone wanted him to be... He was trying to be better for Kida, and Emma... But nothing would change the fact that he wanted to take someone's child. He started to think he was being punished, and since he had wanted that, not his son was taken from him. ''I'm so sorry Kida... You didn't deserve this'', he mumbled quietly, shutting his eyes tighter as he held her hand into his.

''I love you too'', Ian whispered quietly, and wrapped his arms around his middle. ''I can't imagine my future without you'', he leaned his head upon his shoulder. Stefan and Christian could had their differences, but they agreed in one thing, they both wanted his happiness. And his happiness was with Stefan, always had been. ''I need you, Stefan... I don't want to feel alone, and I don't want to feel this weight in my chest'', he murmured, turning his blue hues up to him. The pain of his loss was making difficult for him to breath, but if Stefan abandoned him... Ian was going to lose himself.

---

Elena tried to give her father a smile, but on the half way she pursed her lips and wraped her arms around his neck. Elena shook her head, ''Stop it daddy'', she murmured quietly and leaned up to kiss his cheek. ''I started the whole mess... You were trying to make things better. Oliver went into military and came back... Why Chris wouldn't come back too?'', she shrugged lightly and gave him the shadow of a smile. She was deeply sad, but she was also trying to be strong, just like her father was. She knew there was a time her mother got so sad that almost had costed Damon's life, and what happened to Rose that costed Damon's baby. She wasn't like them. She was stronger than them... She could act like a spoiled child for most of the time, but she had this strenght in her core, she was fierce when she wanted to be, and that was one of the things on her that made Chris fall for her.

Marina leaned her head down while John kissed her temple, and watched while he took their baby girl to their bedroom. She sighed and got up to make the hot chocolate for her baby child. She was a bit oveewhelmed by the news... This didn't sound right to her, and honestly she didn't want to think of the pain Kida and Eric were feeling. She remembered the time she thought Stefan was gone, and how it broke her. She shook her head, and called Damon, to tell him the news. Damon wasn't so close to him, but Rosie on the other hand...

Kida shook her head and held both herself and Emma close to Eric. "Baby... you didn't deserve this either," She whispered. Despite their problems, she did not blame Eric for this. She couldn't. Neither of them deserved something so terrible. "You were his favorite, you know," She after a while, nuzzling her head to his shoulder. "Always had been, even when he was little... I'm glad he was close to you," She whispered. 

Stefan held him close and kissed the top of his head. "Baby... You will always have me," He whispered and closed his eyes, not wanting to see the pain in Ian's eyes. "You're not alone... I will always be here... The pain will pass. Not today and probably not any time soon, but it will pass... I'll help you get through this," He murmured.

---

John shook his head and sighed, holding her close. "I'm sorry," He said again, still finding it hard to accept that he hadn't caused this. 

When Damon got the news, Rosie was quick to hear. She cried for her cousin. Sure, she had been much closer to Ian, but that didn't change the fact that she hurt over losing her family member. Christian was a good man. He had his flaws just like anyone else. "How's Elena?" She asked, knowing very well there was no good news to that question.

Eric knew he couldn't let himself lose it... He opened his eyes and kissed the top of Emma's head, and then Kida's... ''I love you, and I'm glad we're together on this... I couldn't handle this alone'', he murmured and leaned his forehead against hers. He had just said what she had already thought. They needed each other, now more than never.

Ian nodded, ''Thank you, babe...'', he whispered softly. ''I'm feeling so tired... Feeling pain is exhaustive'', he mumbled quietly and closed his eyes. He needed to sleep for a moment. He needed to forget the real life nightmare and just be close to Stefan, and feel his scent.

---

Marina stayed with Damon on the phone more than she had calculated and ended up burning the milk. She tried to make up with the marshmallows, and poured it on Elena's favorite mug. ''Here it go'', Marina chimed from the door. Elena kissed his father's cheek again, ''It's not your fault daddy'', she murmured softly, and turned her gaze towards her mother. ''Thanks, mom'', she grabbed the mug with both of her hands and took a sip... ''Mommy...'', she made a face. Marina shrank, and gave her a shy smile... ''I'm sorry? You know mom is terrible at cooking'', she tried to explain as she sat upon the bed, and rested John's head upon her shoulder.

She didn't like the look he had upon his face, she hated reading the guilt so clear into his emerald hues. She brushed her fingers gently upon his dark locks and smiled to herself as she watched Elena fishing a marshmallow with her fingers... ''What??'', Elena murmured, catching the way her mother was looking at her. ''Nothing...'', Marina smirked, ''I was just recalling some memories'', she said simply. Elena looked to her father and then back to her mug. Although the slip of her mother, the drink was good, and slowly drifted her into a sleep state. Marina already seeing it, took the mug from her hands and rested it upon the night stand before leaning her head upon her other shoulder.

Elena wrapped one hand around her father's, and looked at them both, ''Thank you, mom, dad'', she looked at each one of them. ''I love you both'', she murmured as she slowly fell asleep. Marina kissed her temple softly and then John's.

---

Damon didn't have to tell Rosie the bad news, since she heard it while he talked to her mother on the phone. He asked a few more questions of Elena and Ian and Stefan before his mother gasped and said she needed to go. Damon hung the phone, and brought Rosie closer to him. He was sad for Chris and his family, but he wasn't sad enough for crying. They could call him insensitive, but he barely cried for anything, since he was a baby. Sure there was times he lost it, but those times were rare. ''She's heartbreaking... But mom and dad are taking care of her. If you want we can go to the Storms in the morning'', he suggested softly, and kissed her temple, ''Whatever your heart wants to do''

Kida sighed and leaned close to him. "I love you," she whispered in return and leaned up to kiss his lips gently, trying to ease his pain. "I'll be right back," She said softly. She took Emma back to her room and laid her down. Emma didn't object and curled up, going to sleep. Kida walked back to Eric and took his hand, tugging him to the bedroom. "Let's go lay down..." She suggested and laid onto the bed with him. She curled close and closed her eyes, taking in a shaky breath and trying to calm herself. 

Stefan quieted him and curled close. "It's okay, baby... Listen. This weekend, we'll go somewhere. Just us. After his all is over... the... funeral... We'll get out of here. Get your mind on something else. Relax," He promised in hushed tones as he curled close and kissed his face affectionately.

--

John sighed and kissed Marina's neck a few soft times, trying to ease his mind. "I love you," He murmured to the both of them. He stroked Elena's hair as she fell asleep before looking at Marina with tired eyes. "Goodnight, love," He said softly and laid down. He closed his eyes own eyes and let himself drift.

--

Rosie held onto Damon and cried quietly before wiping her eyes. "We'll go tomorrow... I need to comfort Stefan and Ian," she sighed and kissed his cheek. "I love you," she murmured and nuzzled her head to his neck, grateful he was understanding, even if he wasn't close to Christian.

''I love you more'', Eric whispered back and kissed her lips softly. ''Okay...'', he sighed and leaned back on the back as he ran his hands through his hair. He looked up to her and wrapped his hand around hers. ''Sounds like a great idea'', he mumbled and laid down with her. He wrapped his arms protectively around her and kissed her face tenderly as they both tried to calm down.

''You promisse?'', Ian asked quietly, turning his sleepy blue hues up to him. Get his mind upon something else was good, and Stefan knew how to make him smile in the toughest times. ''It's been a while since I went to the beach'', he murmured, half asleep.

---

Seeing the Elena was falling asleep, Marina started to hum a lullaby, and kissed her forehead softly. She then turned her hues back to John, her eyes filled with a warm love she had just to him. ''Goodnight'', she murmured softly and kissed his forehead as well. She watched them sleeping and looked away to the night outside. Damon sounded alright, but she wanted to hear of Stefan... She was sure he was having a rough time comforting Ian. Her mother heart was causing trouble to her, but after a moment, she did fall asleep.

---

Damon kissed her tears away and kissed her lips softly, ''We'll be there for them'', he assured softly, and carried them over to their room. ''But we need to take some rest before, my love'', he said softly and laid them onto the bed.

Kida looked over at him and touched his cheek gently. "We'll get through this," she whispered and kissed his lips soothingly. She didn't know how. But, she wouldn't sink to as low as Belle might in this situation. She couldn't imagine how her sister would handle losing a child. She wasn't sure she would handle it. Thankfully, Kida was stronger than. 

"I promise," Stefan whispered and kissed Ian's sleepy eyelids. "I love you... We'll spend our whole weekend on the beach.." He murmured and kissed his cheek and jaw gently, lulling him into sleep.

----

Rosie sighed and went with him. "I know," She sighed and curled close to him, sleeping with her arm and leg sprawled over him as she always did, curled close to his chest. "I love you," She sighed and leaned up, kissing his lips tenderly. "Elena is going to need you," She pointed out quietly. "I'll help you," She assured him, knowing how hard it was for him to comfort others at times.

''We'll get through this together....'', he murmured after the kiss and leaned up to kiss her forehead softly. This pain felt a thousand times worse than when they had lost Jacob. He didn't have a shance to see, to carry, and talk him to walk and talk just like he had done with Christian. ''We're going to have a long day tomorrow'', he sighed and brought her closer to him. ''We should take all the rest we can'', he sighed... nuzzling his nose next to hers.

''Great'', Ian smirked a bit and leaned more into Stefan's embrace, It didn't take long for him to sleep into his arms when he was been held so caring like that.

---

Damon had a small inner panic attack as Rosie mentioned he was going to comfort his sister. He loved his baby sister dearly, but he wasn't the best on comforting people. ''You could use some of your magic, and bring some comfort to them'', he murmured softly, nuzzling his nose upon her temple.