A YEAR AND A HALF LATER:

"daddy, will you help me get bweakfast?"

emerson forbes was persistent in getting what she wanted, and her father was no exception. she had crawled into the bed early in the morning, as cora had left early in the morning for a doctor's appointment, and was currently laying her head on his chest as she asked for assistance in preparing her breakfast.

a yawn escaped her father's lips as nodded yes and picked her up, ready to carry her downstairs and complete her request. there was no denying that kai parker was under his daughter's spell and would ultimately do anything for her.

she grabbed his hand, and guided him down the steps one by one with her hand still tightly grasping his. a small smile found its way onto the former sociopath's face upon watching his daughter and looking down at their entwined hands.

once downstairs, kai grabbed the cereal from high atop the refrigerator, and poured himself and emerson a bowl. grabbing two spoons, he walked with the bowls in hand to the kitchen table where emerson was currently swinging her feet back and forth.

the soon to be five year old's newfound favorite activity was sharing breakfast side by side with her father and looking on as the sun came up. kai did not find himself enjoying the early wake up call, but savored every moment he shared with his daughter once awake to make up for lost time.

all of the colors fascinated her to no perceivable end, and kai could always draw a brilliant smile when she would show off a new drawing that she had done of a sunset. smiles came more frequent now all thanks to the little girl.

"you know daddy," emerson began with a serious and sophisticated attitude that caused kai to crack a smile, "it is my birthday next week."

"that it is, sweetheart," kai responded and it was easy to see the twinkle in his eye as he looked on to his daughter.

"i want a new art kit!" she cheered with a bright smile. she slurped up her cereal and kai couldn't help but find her adorable in her flowered pajamas that cora had picked out for her the night before.

with the knowledge of exactly what emerson wanted tucked away in a closet upstairs, kai spoke, "well, we'll just have to wait and see, em," with a mischievous smile hanging from his lips.

emerson giggled and twirled her spoon around in her hand as she relaxed into her seat. it didn't have her name on it, but it was most definitely her seat. kai had realized that from the first morning he had breakfast with her and settled into the one next to her as cora occupied the other.

nobody could have guessed it, truly. even caroline, who had been wary of letting kai back into her niece and sister's lives, had accepted him and his close relationship with his daughter. it was undeniable that he loved her more than anything, more than the power he once craved, and it was truly remarkable how the little girl had changed his life for the better.

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while the father and daughter duo sat together occupying their time with aimless conversations they were bound to soon forget, cora was anxiously awaiting results at her doctor's office.

with her foot impatiently tapping the speckled tiles beneath, cora scanned the room and various health posters hanging on the walls surrounding her to pass the time. it had only been five or so minutes of waiting but it had felt relative to hours. cora had always been patient, unlike her older sister in some respects, but she could not find it in herself to showcase the quality as of now.

the results wouldn't only change her future, but many, and she didn't think she could possibly wait another second for them. but she did. begrudgingly.

after what seemed like hours but were probably less than ten minutes had passed, cora found herself wringing her hands and the doctor delivered the news she was already sure of, but she pushed herself to be certain as to not disappoint anyone or get her hopes up if she was incorrect.

"positive"

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"honey, i'm home!" cora jested as she walked through the front door with keys dangling from of her hands and her burgundy purse clutched tight in the other:

after dropping the two dishes used for breakfast in the sink, kai made his way over to the door and grabbed cora's keys and set them on the counter to free up her hand. a quick kiss is all they got in before emerson came bounding down the foyer.

"mommy! mommy!" she cheered and latched herself onto her mom who readily returned the embrace. giggles escaped all of the parker's mouths at this and cora picked emerson up and set her on her hip.

"hi, baby," cora began as the laughter died down, "were you good for daddy?"

"yes momma. i pwomise," emerson responded politely as kai shot a quick thumbs up to cora who nodded at his gesture.

"good girl!" cora cheered and set her down once they were all seated in the living room.

a few hours passed and the family enjoyed their time together until it was time for emerson's nap time. it seemed that she had wore herself out and kai put her down easily with a fight which was a sigh of relief for both parents.

"kai?" cora questioned as she saw him walk down the stairs after tucking their daughter in.

"yeah, cora?" he called back as he made his way to her with a quick kiss.

his hands went around her waist and she leaned into him with a smirk.

"we need to talk."

kai's mind ran rampant around that one statement. he tried to identify her tone but it was meaningless. talking could be good, but it could also be very, very bad.

"about?" his response was calm and collected.

"i'm just going to come right out with it okay?" cora spoke softly with a hint of a smile already pulling at the edges of her lips.

"what is it, baby," kai asked as he calmed down, noticing his girl's smile.

"well, emerson's getting older now and," cora trailed off and found herself feeling smaller as was about to deliver life changing news.

kai studied cora's face for a moment before his broke. it was suddenly void of all emotion as he realized the other magical presence.

how could he not have noticed?

"are you sure?" kai said carefully trying not to get his hopes up over the newfound possibility.

"positive, i went to the doctor today, kai," cora spoke with enthusiasm coating her words, "i'm pregnant!"

that was all it took for kai to engulf cora into his arms as she shrieked and he kissed her again and again. the smile felt like it could never leave his face, and he wasn't sure if he ever wanted it to.

after the excitement lulled, but definitely did not leave both of the now newly expecting parent's systems, kai spoke up.

"i guess i'll just have to put a ring on this finger then, huh?"

a/n;

yooooo!!!!! sorry it's been so long i kinda forgot about this oops!! i am planning a sequel, however. it will be an au where kai and stefan are alive and safe with their loved ones because that's what we all deserved. also this is definitely too short and not proofread so good luck!!