Chapter Text
Stefan Salvatore drove by the Welcome to Mystic Falls sign, not believing he was back in his home town. He was coming home to visit his brother and sister-in-law after being away for ten years. Of course he visited occasionally, but this was going to be first time he was back and meeting the newest addition to the family - his niece. Most of the residents found it entertaining, his family was known to have caused a lot of ruckus similar to a soap opera.
Back in his high school days, he had the most perfect girlfriend - Elena Gilbert, eldest daughter of one of the founding families. Perfect up until she fell in love with his older brother Damon. Elena was tough to get over, just ask her first boyfriend, Matt Donovan. But not impossible. It may have taken years and a lot of distance, across the country to be exact, in order to do just that, but years ago he finally had come to terms with their relationship. He couldn't blame Elena or his brother for what happened, and it was better to move on with his life than to obsess over the past.
So here he was, back in the town he called home during high school and in front of the massive family home his parents bought what felt like centuries ago. He parked his car in the drive way and walked towards the front door. Damon had given him his own key, but he didn't feel right using it; so instead, he knocked.
"Stefan!" Elena had been the one who opened the door. Of course fate took what he wanted and made it the exact opposite. "Oh, Stefan, we missed you! It is so good to see you!" She wrapped him in a hug and kissed him on the cheek. "Come in, come in. Honey, Stefan's home!"
Home, was it normal to feel like a guest at home? He walked through the foyer, always thinking it was a little dark for his own liking, but he wasn't the one that needed to live here. Especially when what used to feel like a mausoleum was now covered with all things baby. Who knew a newborn could need so many things?
"Brother," Damon emerged from stairs and swooped Stefan in a big hug. "We missed you. You look good."
"Mature," Elena added, picking up the toys from the floor. "Your old bedroom is all set with fresh sheets. We're all ready for you."
"And what about that baby that you guys are constantly raving about," Stefan said, his arm still around Damon's shoulder.
"You mean Lily? I just got put her down for a nap. She is a nightmare to put down," Damon whispered.
Elena turned to glare at her husband, "But completely worth it."
"Yes, definitely completely worth it."
Jeez, it felt like the Brady Bunch. He may have been over it, but this whole blissful marriage story that they were playing wasn't cutting it. And he had a full week of this. "Well, don't let me keep you two from cleaning this place before the party tomorrow. I'm going to settle in and then pop in to visit Matt."
"You sure? Because more hands equals less time," Damon said as Stefan made his way up the stairs. Once Elena turned back around, Damon gave Stefan a pleading look, mouthing please.
Stefan ignored him and popped into his old bedroom. Memories rushed through him, particularly of him and Elena. Maybe it hadn't been the best idea to stay here. He pushed those intruding thoughts away and placed his duffel on the bag. Maybe he'd be able to snag an invite from Matt, come up with an excuse and leave the two lovebirds alone.
"Hey," Elena popped her head in. "Just wanted to make sure you had everything. It's been awhile since you've been back. Does it feel different?" He kept his back towards her. "Listen, Stefan, I realize that this is weird. And it probably will always be weird. But we both have really missed you. Your bi-monthly calls don't do it justice. Hey, maybe you'll find someone on your stay here."
"To bring back with me to Washington? Probably not."
Elena nodded at his reluctance. "How about we take a peek in at Lily. Damon's serious, nothing is sweeter than a sleeping baby."
"How about tonight? I promised Matt I'd meet him at the bar." Elena nodded as Stefan rushed passed her. "I'll be back a little later, bye!" He had left before she could stop him.
**
Stefan opened the door to the Mystic Grille and couldn't help but laugh. Everything looked exactly the same, except his friend was the new owner. "What does a guy have to do to get some service around here?!"
Matt spun around and groaned, "I thought we got rid of you two years ago."
"I couldn't ignore family that much longer. And look at you, still working here bussing more tables. Jeez, Matty, I thought you'd move on like the rest of us," it was this type of playful banter that he missed. Matt Donovan, the most normal person from high school.
"Who said I didn't move on. I went from bussing tables to cashing in the cheques. And what's better than learning the town's secrets. There's something about bartenders that make residents trust them."
"So what do you know about the new parents?" Stefan shamelessly asked over a drink.
Matt shook his head, "Honestly? She's madly in love. Damon's terrified at pending fatherhood. But they're happy."
"That's great. Just….great."
"Hey, Matt. Can I get a dirty martini, please?"
Stefan turned and faced another blonde. While Matt busied himself with her drink, he took a swig of his.
She could feel his eyes on her, but she had had a long day and wasn't in the mood. "Can I help you?"
"Sorry, sorry. I just…I'm Stefan."
"And I am not interested."
Matt handed her her drink, "Care, be nice. How's your mom?"
"In remission, thank goodness. She kicked me out of the room, and I really just came here to have a drink by myself. I'm going to relocate to a private table."
"Well, that was the most blunt rejection I've gotten in awhile. I'm usually propositioned for sex."
"Welcome home, man," Matt laughed.
**
Stefan had let Matt return to work, but not before he had three more drinks. He wasn't drunk, but he was definitely feeling good. Before he left, he turned to check on the blonde beauty that had rejected him earlier that evening. She wasn't sitting by herself anymore, which comforted him for some odd feeling. He left the Grille and returned back to the house. Damon was coming out of the basement, "Nice to see you again. Wasn't sure if you were coming back."
"Sorry. Did I miss anything special?" Stefan asked.
"Oh nothing, except the dinner Elena spent most of the afternoon preparing. There's leftovers in the oven in case you're hungry."
Stefan didn't miss the tone in Damon's voice. "How about the baby? Is she awake?"
"Lily," Damon corrected. "Stefan, this is your niece, it's not some baby we brought home from the hospital. Try to act like a proper Uncle."
"You're right," he said. "I'm sorry. How is Lily?"
Damon sighed, "You're lucky." He led Stefan up the stairs into the nursery where Lily was laying in her crib. "You're never supposed to wake a sleeping baby, but i'll make it this one exception."
Stefan peered into the crib and was stopped breathless. "Damon, she's beautiful."
A look of pure love swept across Damon's features. "Isn't she? You know, Stefan, I thought I knew love with Elena and you. But when I saw her for the first time, held her for the first time, my whole life shifted."
"So it's true what they say, huh? Babies change everything."
Damon carefully picked the baby up and held her in his arms, "For the best. I would do anything for her."
"I'm happy for you, Damon. I am. You deserve this."
"Here," Damon said, holding Lily out.
"Damon, no. I've never held a baby before."
"You better take your hands out, brother, or you're going to drop my baby. I'm not too fond of that," Damon warned.
Stefan held out his hands and copied Damon's stance. Her head just fit in his palm and she was so tiny. Lily stretched her neck out and made some sort of gurgling noise and as he adjusted Lily into his arms more comfortably, an alarming thought entered his mind -This could've been his baby.
Stefan pushed that thought out of his head, "She's precious, Damon. Really. And you named her after Mom," he finally acknowledged.
"Mom's lucky she has a beautiful name. And Elena liked it, so.... Listen, Stefan, I want to ask you something. I know it's early, but you're my only family left. You're my brother and we had some issues before, but I love you."
"Damon. Is everything alright?"
He laughed at the shock on his face, "Everything's great. I just...we want to get the papers filed in and we want you to be Lily's godfather. It's huge and it's unbelievable that I actually have a baby, but I don't trust anybody like I trust you. And i know that if something happens, my girl will be in the best hands."
"Nothing is going to happen," Stefan said as he looked down at his niece./p>
"Of course nothing is going to happen, but we still need an answer."
Lily nestled into the crook of Stefan's chest and Stefan smiled. Damon was right, a baby does change everything. It took that small gesture to steal his heart, and it was when Lily grabbed his pinky and held on to it when he knew he'd be wrapped around hers for life. "I'd be honored to be her godfather."