Chapter 8

Laura froze when she heard Stefan's voice call out "Lily" and she was still 
frozen as Lee turned and said "Yes Daddy?"  She could barely breathe by the time 
Stefan told Lee to behave, let alone think when Lee smiled and said "Always". 
But how did one react when after nearly eighteen years of wishing and dreaming 
of their little girl's return, the one thing they had always imagined 
impossible.  Probably not as Laura did, they would have said something but not 
Laura all she could do was think was "My baby's alive."  She didn't scream it 
out, not for the fear of being wrong, because at that moment when Lily turned 
around and smiled Laura knew that was her daughter.  She looked over at Stefan, 
who beamed with pride over his daughter.  She remembered him once saying that 
all he wanted was to be to give his children a normal life.  He had actually 
accomplished it, Lee was a normal, loving, wonderful child, she knew how to 
live, yet still stay on track.  She knew it was funny thinking about that, at a 
time like this, but what else could she do, she had never been so incredibly 
happy in her entire life.  Not even at the births of her children.  For Nikolas 
and Lily's had been marred by her life on the island and then the realization of 
how sick her little girl was.  Then for Lucky and Lulu's she was reminded of the 
children she had lost, but they were both here now safe, alive, happy.  Her life 
was slowly coming together, everything she desired was soon to be here.  

Her babies, her friends, her mother would be here soon, and Stefan.  She looked 
over at him and smiled, he had just been corned by a doctor, trying to convince 
him to get or do something she was pretty sure the hospital didn't need.  As she 
looked at him, she saw that young man, the complete stranger she had fallen for 
almost immediately on that island.  She cursed herself for not returning to him 
and their life.  Why hadn't she?  The moment Stavros died, if she had just 
returned he would have kept her safe.  If not, then why not when he took over 
the family, if she had only returned then, she could have watched her children 
grow up.  She wouldn't have had to live a half-life for so long, she could have 
actually lived, truly lived.  She nearly laughed out loud for how funny that 
sounded, but it was true.  For all the stupid adventures Luke had gotten them 
into, she hadn't felt alive until Stefan came back.  She could never feel as 
happy as she was when she was in his arms.  She remembered how he would visit 
her when Luke was away or they were away.  She remember the peace she felt 
wrapped up in his arms as he told her Nikolas was safe, but nothing ever more.  
No declarations of love, no attempt to persuade her to return with him, never, 
not until these past few months.  She remembered Stefan playing in the sandbox 
with Lucky, who couldn't have been more than three.  Their hair both rumpled and 
their faces absolutely glowing, but now…

S: Laura?

Stefan's voice interrupted her thoughts "What?" she asked.

S: I was just asking if you wanted to go get some lunch.

Laura looked up with a big smile "Yes, that would be lovely"

S: (smiles): Good.  

L: So where do you wish to go?

S: Wherever you desire.

L: How about the Outback?

S: Sounds fine.

L: But first we need to pick up Lulu, she's with Audrey at the moment. Seeing 
the babies.

S: Then we'll go to the nursery.

L: Of course.