dr. gilbert

Now he was freaking out, but he kept his cool for her. “Um, okay. I won’t freak out…” he wasn’t even convincing himself.

“... It’s Klaus. The father is Klaus.”

Klaus’s smile grew. “I think we have a name.” It felt strange to be able to enjoy this experience, he felt a bit guilty as well given how he had acted with Hope. Klaus walked over to Elena, his hands hovering just above her belly. “May I?”

Given all the stress and fear she’d had since the moment she found out she was expecting, it felt weird to smile so warmly, for even a hint of laughter to leave her lips at the idea that their child had a name “I think we do,” she admits with a nod, watching as he approaches. The doppelganger doesn’t hesitate for a moment after his question before nodding. “Of course.” 

“Ouch, I see you’re still bitter.” Katherine quipped. “Careful, anger isn’t good for the baby.” 

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🌒️ ― The tribrid gave a you and me both look, then relaxed into something of a smile. Her lips part, and she’s searching for further encouragement. “You got me there,” she finally admitted. Hope felt, considering the circumstances, and who she was speaking to.. she could be honest about it. “I’m sorry.” It wasn’t that she felt compelled to apologize, but she still saw the affects that her existence had on her family, and the world. It just sort of, came out of her to say. 

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“Yeah, I’m just trying to find the balance of being there for him and helping him without being overbearing… which I know I can very easily slip right into. And I don’t want that to scare him away.” Lizzie admitted. 

“I trust you to do the right thing, Lizzie. You always have had a big heart.” Elena admitted to her niece, offering a warm smile toward her. Feeling the baby kick, her hand went down to her stomach as she reconciled with the knowledge she’d have to tell her niece sooner or later who the father was if she didn’t want her finding out from someone else.

Josie hadn’t seen Elena in awhile, so she had made sure to clear her schedule for dinner with her aunt. She was excited to do something away from the school. She hadn’t bothered knocking, and made her way into the kitchen. The food looked amazing. “Well it’s a good thing I haven’t eaten since breakfast then.” She said sitting her jacket on the counter. “Thanks for having me.” And that’s when she turned to really look at Elena, her eyes automatically going to her stomach.

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With the table full of food containers full of local cuisine, she hadn’t had any doubt that in the end that there would be enough for them both to eat. Standing by her seat, she offered her niece a warm smile. “Any time, you know I love to have you and Lizzie around...” Noticing the observant twin’s eyes go down to her stomach, it at least made that part easier. “I wanted to tell you in person, and I see you’ve noticed... I’m pregnant.”

🖋️ ― “Caroline.” That alone was answer enough for the question she presented. “I heard she’s back in town.” Whether or not Elena had, he knew the obvious would remain obvious. That there would be nothing easy, or simple, about their potential reunion.

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“A boy.. Wow.” Lizzie noticed how quickly she moved past the topic which only piqued her curiosity. “Congratulations.” She had sooo many more questions. “Ethan? Well… he’s adjusting.” She shrugged. “It’s hard. Any advice you think is worth passing along to him? I’m afraid of him losing control, just because of how easy it is for a newbie.” 

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“Yeah.. pretty excited.” Pretty scared too, terrified actually, but she needn’t mention that. She was much more interested in discussing her niece’s friend, hearing how he was holding up than delving into details about herself. The doppelganger nods as Lizzie explains that he’s going through the adjustment period, remembering just how difficult it was for herself when it had happened all those years before. “Your mom is better about things like that but.. I guess my advice is to focus on staying grounded. When you give into your emotions too much, forget to eat... that’s when the trouble starts. Restraint, routine, at least until he gets the hang of it.”

“Privacy? Right.” Katherine rolled her eyes. “I’m not stupid. I know it’s more than that, but I’ll play along for now.” 

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“You’re not stupid, you’re just a bad person. There’s a difference - stupidity I can forgive.” the doppelganger pointed out plainly. “Play along or don’t, I don’t really care about what you do anymore. You stopped ruling my life years ago.”

“Something tells me you’re worried about the truth getting out.” Katherine commented, seeing as she was reluctant to give the name of the real father of her child. 

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“It’s no one’s business, Katherine... that’s it. I’d like a little bit of privacy in my life. I didn’t sign up for a tell all...”