A/N: I just wanted to say thank you to all of my readers who have Favorited followed/read and who have loved "Begin Again" and "One and Only" as much as I have. I've truly fallen in love with these characters and I'm sad that I won't be writing them anymore (especially Sam and Olivia and Stefan just being a dad to them). But, as they say..All good things must come to an end.

So, the epilogue has a very large TIME JUMP OF 12 Years and it's all in Olivia's Point Of View.. Hope you all like it and find it very reminiscent to "One and Only." :) So, with that being said...Enjoy the epilogue & thank you SO MUCH for reading!

Begin Again- Epilogue

12 years later...

Olivia's P.O.V.

It's never easy leaving them all behind. I look up to see Aiden smiling at me, the headphones I bought him for his birthday are hanging around his neck, this beaming smile on his face when he runs his hands through his dark brown spiky hair, glancing over at his cousin, Zach. They've been telling each other jokes for the last hour and Uncle Damon had to finally separate them from each other because they just wouldn't stop talking. Although when I glance over at them from my spot on the deck in the backyard, they've come to together again, smiling like two 12 year kids that don't have any cares in the world- only fun times on their minds.

I've always thought that growing up, Aiden had it easier than Sam and I. He didn't have to deal with watching our parents tear each other apart and then try so hard to come back together, to rebuild everything they lost with every ounce of strength and love that they both still had for each other- even if at times they would yell and scream, saying that neither of them wanted to be married to one another anymore, Sam and I both always knew that something, would stop them from leaving and would calm the storm of emotions. In the end, I always have thought that it was their love that they shared, that unbreakable bond that no one or nothing could change.

My little brother has had a life that didn't involve asking our dad repeatedly when he was coming home because we missed him so much, he didn't have to deal with holding my uncle Tyler's hand and walking over to my father after not seeing him for weeks, like he was a stranger, my eyes brown eyes glazed over with tears when he held me in his arms and told me how much he missed us, how much he missed my mother. Aiden, didn't need to spend nights listening to her cry, watch her stay up and write in her journal, because she couldn't talk to him, she couldn't talk to anyone when she was with Matt and she couldn't express how much her heart still ached for our dad when he was away.

Eventually, dad gave up his career of being a fire fighter and stayed at home while mom worked.

Catching up on years of being without him was one of the best things that all three us could have asked for, especially Sam and I. After our 7th birthday, both my brother and I felt like we finally got a chance at having not only with our mother. But, with our father as well. After years of being away from my father and having him lose out on so much of our lives because of the warehouse fire that nearly took his life, I know my dad felt the same way. Those missing years were given back to him in every sense of the word when he gave it all up to be a full time stay at home dad and take care of us, not even caring what other people would think of him. Because, all he had ever wanted was for his kids to be taken care of, for them to know they were loved, that they are loved.

"You still have a few more hours, until you leave." Sam tells me, smiling from across the table as I place my hands on to the outside patio table and look up at my twin brother, tears threatening to spill over my cheeks and my mind coming back to the events around me. I'm finally leaving New York City after graduated High School and everyone from our family and some of our extended family has gathered to celebrate my new exciting adventure.

"No crying, Salvatore women...They're strong, and you sweetheart, are a Salvatore purely, through and through. You're going to be fine. I promise you, Olivia. If you're anything like me. You'll be fine." Mom chimes in, brushing past me, leaning down to kiss the top of my head as she passes by us with a bowl of seasoned and marinated chicken in it, the smell of dad cooking up a barbecue makes my stomach growl when I look over at them and watch him kiss mom's cheek, I can't help by smile at how cute they are. Even after so many years together, they're still as happy as they were when we were little kids, still gazing at each other with the same loving glances I remember seeing them have back then.

"Oh, she's just crying because she's never been away from me. Right sis? Come on, Livia. You know that I'll miss you too." Sam jokes, out stretching his hands towards me as I sniffle back my tears and exhale out a breath. He looks so much like dad that it's scary. His brown hair spiked up, green bright eyes that smile at me when I look up at him with my glossed over brown gaze.

I'm going to miss my brother, so much. But, I for one know that deciding to leave to another state will be good for me. My whole family lives in New York, except for our dad and uncle Damon. No one else has ever left it. Yeah, they've all gone on vacations to other states and things like that. But, I'll be the first one in the family to move away from home.

"You'll be too busy trying to get into the Fire Department to even think about me being half way across the nation. I'm leaving to California, Sam...And, I am going to miss you so much. Just make sure that those two behave themselves and are okay without me." I reply back, tightening my grip on my brother's hands as he smiles at me and exhales deeply, releasing his grasp when he adds. " Who? Mom and Dad? Psh...They'll be fine, Livia...When have they ever not been fine? We're not little kids anymore, Olivia. Matt's dead, Katherine and Klaus are rotting in jail, they have been for years. Mom and dad, are happy. They are finally happy, with themselves and with each other. They got their happy endings and we need to search for ours too. Besides, you're right- I will be too busy, following in dad's foot steps and chasing after the hot paramedic girls to miss you and to babysit our parents." He winks at me as I watch Sam's green gaze fall onto to my dad.

He's gotten older and yet, he still looks like the same man that taught us both everything we knew about life, love and the world around us. The same guy that I'd hold hands with when we stood in line at the gas station somewhere between Senece Falls and Manhattan, waiting for the lady behind the counter to ring up my hot chocolate. My dad, the one who would tuck me and Sam into bed- right before we'd scare all the monsters out from underneath it together.

My father, the first man in my life to teach me that it was okay to cry on his shoulder if I needed too. The first man in my life to tell me that I could do anything that I set my mind too and to never give up on my dreams no matter how far stretched they appeared at the time. It's because of him that I've decided to pursue my dreams of going into journalism. It's because of him that I can look back on my childhood and proudly say that I had a dad that never gave up on wanting the best for his children and who never gave up on the love he had for our mother.

The memory of my father standing with a hot chocolate styrofoam cup in his hands as he looked at me and asked. "So, what do you want to be when you grow up?" flashes into my mind and I smile as I remember it, I still see it vividly, remember that even thought I was just five back then that I always knew I was daddy's little girl. Naturally as a little five year old girl though, I didn't know exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up as I replied to my dad with a toothy grin. "I don't know, I'm five, ask me when I'm grown up." But, over the years, I quickly realized my passions and knew that the gas station and the safe house that we stayed at during our time away from home, was the start of a wonderful father and daughter bonding experience and the start of a lifetime full of memories that Sam and I still talk about whenever we get nostalgic.

I still think about it sometimes, the safe house and how my parents lives changed during the time that we were there. Years later after I had found my mothers old journals about all the things she had gone through with my dad and with Matt. I understood everything better and I found it intriguing and horribly sad that throughout the whole ordeal, she felt lost and insecure until dad came back into her life and saved her from herself. Until he filled our little family with what it was missing all along, him.

"Do you know much I love you?" He used to say, smiling down at me as I snuggled up against his chest and wrapped my little arms around him, inhaling the scent of dove body wash and the smell of peppermint. He always smelled like mints, growing up. Mom would tease him and say that it was like he was a walking mint ball- if that even makes any sense.

I'd look up at him, starry eyed with heavy lids, yawning and in a soft tone I'd reply. "I think I do." He'd hold my favorite bed time story book in one and and stroke my hair until I fell asleep in his lap with other hand. "I love you until the moon and back, Olivia. I always have and I always will. You, Sam, your mom and Aiden are my life. You always have been."

It's because of both of my parents with their journals and passion for living that I know I'm choosing the right career. I had loved it so much as a kid that I had even convinced my dad to buy me a few empty journals over the years, just so that I jot any little idea down, any little thing that came to mind and we'd sit and read it together. And, just in case if I needed to remind myself that I was doing this all to follow my dreams, he even wrote in one of them- reminding me himself that he believed in what I was setting out to do as much as I believed in it myself. I think it is always his way of making me remember that no matter how far we may be from each other that I'll always be his little girl.

As I watch the patio fill with the rest of our extended family, I smile at my dad's words that I had found in my journal last night when I was packing up my room. His cursive hand writing flowing throughout the page and I could feel that writing the note wasn't easy for him to do. Yet, he still wanted me to know that he'd miss me...

My dearest Olivia,

The first time that I held you in my arms. I knew that you'd always be my little girl..I can't tell you that it won't be easy for your mom and I to be without you while you're away at school. But, we are so proud of the young woman you've become. I want you to know that you can do anything that you set your mind too. Anything at all and nothing should stop you in believing in yourself. I love you so much, sweetie and I know that even though I'm going to miss you like crazy- I know that this is the best thing for you. Always know that your mom and I are just a phone call away and that no matter what happens, we'll always be here for you.

Remember to have a wonderful time at school and don't worry too much about your brothers. I'll keep an eye on them and your mom- like I always have. Just focus on you and make sure to show the University Of Southern California that Salvatore ambition and dedication that I know you have when it comes to all of your classes. Also, if you ever get home sick. Let Sam know, I'm sure he'll need some time off from training with the your Uncles. Don't worry too much about your brother, Tyler and Damon will take care of him. And, so will I. Although- he'll need a break and I know for a fact that the best medicine for a little bit of an escape is the beach. So, please call him every once in a while and have him visit you.

One last thing...This journal is yours. Write anything you want in it, anything at all. Dreams, ambitions, secrets- whatever your heart desires. All I want you to do is write it so that one day you can go back and reread everything, maybe sometimes with tears in your eyes at the memories. But, hopefully with a lot of laughs and smiles. I love you to the moon and back my sweet little girl and remember that wherever you are, I will always be here for you.

So, I have a question for you...What's going to be your first story?

I will love you always and until the end of time.

With all my love,

dad.

Dad's words get shaken from my mind as I hear Sam clear his throat and the loud sounds of Aiden and Zach running out onto the patio, playing tag- cause me to be in the present with my family. "There she is! Look at you, all grown up. You look just like your mother!" Aunt Caroline shrieks, holding her daughter Hannah's hand as she walks towards me, her long blonde hair bouncing up and down with every step she takes.

I smile at her as I look behind them and see Kol and Lexi. She's holding Abrielle's hand and grinning from ear to ear. As Caroline sits next to Sam and across from me, I nearly gasp at the sight of Lexi's round and pregnant belly. Her and Kol married a few years ago and decided to start a family of their own, late in life. However, every time I see my aunt Lexi, I smile. She's glowing with this joy that reminds me of my mom when she was pregnant with Aiden. I didn't understand it then, but I get it now..She's probably happier than she has ever been and it just makes me happy for them because I know how long it took for them to be together. Kol always jokes that it was all Lexi's stubbornness that took him five tries to ask her to be his wife, until she finally broke and agreed.

"So, where's uncle Tyler?" I ask Caroline, watching as she smiles and places her hands on to the table when she exhales deeply. "He'll be here. I promise. He just got stuck at the store, he and your aunt Bonnie did actually. They're getting you a graduation present." Caroline comments with a grin, brushing her blonde hair behind her ears as she gets up and excuses herself from the table, leaving Sam, me and Hannah all alone.

After years of trying to have the family that they always wanted. Uncle Tyler and Aunt Caroline finally had Hannah. Even though we aren't blood related. I still think of them as my aunt and uncle and Hannah as my cousin. Besides, the girl is the spitting image of her mother and has the silly and goofy personality of her dad. She's the only child that they were able to have. But, she's perfect in every way.

"I don't want you to go...I'll be left with Aiden and Zach. Ugh!" Hannah comments, looking over at my younger brother and cousin, playing a game of cards in the grass.

I laugh a little, remembering the time when I was just like her. Hannah Lockwood is a lot like what I used to be, very head strong and to the point, very smart though for her young age. And, she makes her emotions very known. I swear when I look at her sweet little face with her dark blue eyes and curly dirty blonde locks, I think about myself and what Sam and I were like.

"You'll be fine, Hannah. Sammy will be be around to keep you company too. He can take you out to ice cream, there's a cute little shop that he can take you too whenever you want to chat. Sam's a very good listener and a great friend." I remind her, watching as her eyes light up and she smiles sweetly at me.

"Okay. But, I'm going to miss you a lot." She adds, narrowing her nearly watery eyes at me. I get up, smiling and walking over to her as I push her out from under the table so that her legs are facing me and that she's looking directly at me when I speak. "I'm going to miss you so much too. But, I promise that whenever you want to call me. You can ask your mom and dad, they'll let you. Okay?"

Hannah nods her head, her blonde ringlets jiggle when she continues to nod and I embrace her tightly into my arms, exhaling deeply when I whisper. "I love you."

"Getting all sentimental with my daughter now, are we? I thought your mom said no crying- at least that's what I heard." Uncle Tyler states with a huge grin, stepping out on to the patio as the hot summer sun hits his face and squints his brown eyes at me a little.

"I was just telling Hannah that she can call me whenever she wants. We're just a phone call away from each other. It's not like I'm going to study abroad." I tell him, backing away from Hannah and walking towards Tyler.

"Congratulations, Olivia Marie Salvatore. You did it! You've officially graduated high school, and you're setting out on an new adventure. Far away from all these old farts!" He shouts, directing his words towards my dad who's shaking his head at him and laughing a little.

"Whatever Lockwood. I can still take you down, buddy. Just come over here and I'll kick your ass myself!" Dad shouts as he places the spatula in his hands down on to the side of the grill and turns towards my mom, grabbing her by the waistline and pulling her closely against his chest, leaning down to kiss the side of her face as she lifts her hands onto his cheeks and lovingly smiles up at him, laughing when he adds. "Come on, Tyler. I'm waiting. Hey, Jer. You want to make a bet with me too?" He asks as mom laughs and places her hands on to his arms, rocking them back and forth as she shouts. "Jeremy, come over here and place a bet. You know that Stefan won't let this go until one of you wrestles with him or knocks him out. He's just like his Uncle Zach, stubborn and looking for a good time! These Salvatore, men. You guys act all macho. But, you sure are big babies!" She concludes, shaking her head with a smile on her face as she jokes with them.

"Salvatore men? Ha, what about the Gilbert family? Don't forget, Elena before you married into the Salvatore side, you were a Gilbert! Come on, Elena. I'll bet $15 bucks that my brother can wrestle yours down to the ground!" Uncle Damon states in a joking way, holding a beer in his hands and stepping out of the house with Uncle Jeremy following right behind him, holding Anna's hand tightly as she shakes her head and tells him that if he does that my mom and her will keep both my dad and him outside for the rest of the night until they come to their senses.

Sam and I turn our heads as we hear Uncle Jeremy laugh and roll up his sleeves to his dark blue long sleeve shirt, stepping towards my dad who's let go of my mom and has his hands up in the the air, ready to 'fight him.'

"Come on, come and get me!" Dad taunts as he laughs and watches both uncle Damon and Jeremy laugh as they step towards him and pull him into a tight hug. "We love you man, you're too important to us and too old for us to kick your ass. But, if it came down to it, Jeremy, Tyler and I could take you." Uncle Damon jokes as he pulls dad into a dead lock and playful ruffles the top of his head with his knuckle.

"Good thing you too didn't do anything stupid. Although, it's cute to see the good old rivalry still stands between the group of fire fighters and police officers." Aunt Lexi says with a smile and a roll of her eyes as she waves to them and they all turn towards her. Each of them, blowing her kisses.

"Look, honey. I have my own fan club." She tells Kol as he passes by with a plate full of potato salad and a beer, kissing the top of her head when he glances over at Sam and I, asking. "How does your mother put up with these three?"

Sam laughs, leaning in his chair and adds. "She's learned throughout the years that when she married into the Salvatore family that it wasn't just uncle Damon who came along with my dad. It was his knuckle head band of brothers too. Tyler, You, her own brother and the rest of them. But, don't worry. She loves you all, like family. Like we all do."

"Smart answer, Sam. But, I'm sure you're just saying that and trying to butter us up so that the training guys go easy on you for your first day as a volunteer fire fighter.." He tells him with a wink as Sam shakes his head and turns in his chair, giving Kol a cheeky smirk. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. We'll see Monday morning. I'm going to be the best you've ever seen. Just like dad was!" Sam adds in a cocky tone, placing his hands behind his head and laughing when he leans back into his chair.

I laugh as Kol passes by and turns back towards Bonnie and Uncle Damon, smiling when I see Aunt Bonnie wrapped up into my uncles embrace and my mother leans her head against my dad's chest. Watching them together like they are now, still looking at each other like they've only loved one another for their whole lives, makes my heart swell. The smile on my mother's face never leaves as she kisses my dad's wrist and turns in his arms, smiling as I watch her wrap her arms around his neck, whispering something into his ear. He laughs, brushing a strand of hair away from her face and stealing a kiss when Damon and Bonnie turn to talk to Jeremy and Anna.

They're too wrapped up into each other to even notice me smiling and staring at them from across the lawn. But, the display of affection and devotion to one another is purely admirable and it makes me want the kind of love that they have for each other, it makes me want to be as in love with someone as they are with one another. It makes me realize that even though they had fought like hell to come back to each other and makes things work between them, that through the fights and tears, the repeated confessions of love after those fights that neither of them ever wanted to be away from each other.

Because, looking at them now- I can see it. The love that they have is stronger than any force that has ever tried to tear them apart and even after all these years, whenever you look at them. You can feel and see how much they still clearly love each other and how happy they are together.

It's quiet when I go up back into my room and after the party wraps up. The same room that I've had since I was 5 years old. Still painted pink walls, small ponies and flowers prints are now covered with posters of my favorite bands and tons of pictures. Most of them of our large extended family. Uncle Tyler, Uncle Damon, Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Anna, Aunt Bonnie and Caroline, Lexi and Kol. Mom and dad, and all of the kids. Family vacations, birthdays, special events, memories fill my walls and my mind as I look around the room, the same place where Sam and I used to build forts and hide, falling asleep on dad's chest after he'd read us our favorite bed time stories. The same room where mom and dad sat Sam and I down and told us that we had to say goodbye to Charlie because he was sick, the room where they held Aiden, Sam and I until we fell asleep against them, sleeping beside Charlie until the early morning hours and until he passed away.

My eyes stop when I reach certain photos, some that make me smile like a foolish little girl and others that make my heart ache. I smile widely though when I see Sam's newest photo in his fire fighter uniform and all of us, the whole family all crammed into this one tightly little picture, nearly all of us all pointing up at the huge sign above our heads that reads on the brick building behind us. "New York City Fire Department- Station 17."

As I think about it some more, I remember how much my dad and mom had fought over him going back to work, how much she had hated it after he had told her that he didn't care what she thought and he was going to do it anyways. It took some convincing on her part. But, eventually dad allowed my mom to go back to work at the police station where Aunt Caroline, Uncle Jeremy and Lexi all worked. Because, that's where he knew that she would the happiest.

"Olivia? Honey. Can I come in?" Her soft and quiet voice breaks my thoughts as I nod, throwing down a few pieces of clothing that I still have yet to pack on the floor in my childhood bedroom and I give her a smile, patting the red comforter in my room.

"Yeah, I'm just.." My voice trails off. I'm not really sure what I want to say to her, where I want this conversation with my mother to go. Because, I know that if I break down and tell her how much I'm going to miss her or the house and our family. That she'll start crying and neither of us will be able to sleep because we'll end up smashed together-like when I was a little kid- in my full size bed, holding each other and crying in each other's arms, laughing about it later as she tells me a story or sings to me until we both feel our eye lids growing heavy and sleep takes over us both.

"Mom. I-." My voice breaks, stops itself from being projected out another further when she sits and smiles at me through her own tears, her brown eyes and long beautiful brown hair that mirror my own are still perfect looking. She still looks like she could be an actress, a model even. My mother, the most beautiful person that I've known my whole life, grabs a hold of my hands that are sitting in my lap as she locks her eyes onto me and says. "Everything is going to be just fine..You know, you're dad used to always tell me that whenever I was worried about something, not turning out how it should be. He'd take my hands like this, like ours are now and he'd hold them, in his lap until I would look up at him. Then, he'd give me a sweet smile and say. 'Elena, we're going to be just fine. I love you, sweetheart.'

So, Here we are and here I am telling you the same thing. Olivia, we're going to be just fine and you are going to love college. You're the first one in the family to go. Honey, I just want you to follow your dreams, I love you. However, before you go. I wanted to give you something to keep with you. It gave me hope and hopefully it will do the same for you."

I smile at her, watching as she shifts her hand and digs into her apron, pulling out a golden chain with a beautiful 14 kart gold ring. Mom smiles, her hands stroking the gold band when she closes her eyes and adds. "It was my engagement ring, the first time your father asked me to marry him. God, it feels like it was a million years ago when he asked me to be his wife. Hah, But..Even after everything. I kept it for the five years that he was about, around this very chain on my neck. Now, Olivia. Sweetheart, I want you to have it."

I'm taken back by her words, for as long as I've known my mother. That ring has always been around her neck, even when dad had came back and they got remarried again. She still held onto to as a keepsake from him. I know for a fact how much it means more than anything to her, how dear and close to her heart she holds it. Because, that ring, kept her strong and made her have hope, even when she thought that she was about to lose it all.

"Mom, I can't take that. It's from dad and it's-." I begin to say as she takes my hand, opening it up so that it's flat, my palm facing her when she places the gold necklace with the ring attached into my shaking hands. "I want you to keep this and one day when you find someone as amazing and special as your father is to me, I want you to wear it around your neck along with your own engagement ring."

She pauses for a moment, smiling when she states. "I want you to wear my ring...You don't need to wear it on your finger, it can stay on the chain. But, I want you to keep it in the family. I know that I should be giving it your brother for his future wife- since that makes a lot more sense. But, knowing Sam better than anyone- your brother will probably take awhile to get married and Aiden, well..He's way too young to be even thinking about dating!" She tells me with a wink, wrapping her arms around me as she whispers against my ear. "I love you so much, Olivia. Remember that, always. Even when you and I are thousands of miles away. I'm still your mother and whatever you need, even if it's a late night chat with me. Honey, I am always here for you. Your my baby girl."

I can feel her warm and moist tears falling down against my skin as she leans into me, kissing my cheek as she says. "You're going to be great in California! You're a Salvatore...You will be just fine, Olivia Marie Salvatore. You will be just fine and you will make us proud."

I can't sleep and the light on in the living room is still on as I lean my back against the wall and slide down it, extending out my legs, the brown journal that dad gave me sits in my lap as I listen to them talking the in the kitchen, closing my eyes and exhaling deeply when I run my hands over a scuff mark on the floor. It's deep and worn when I smile to myself, thinking about the many things that could have caused them. For some reason as I listen to my parents talking in the next room, my mind drifts back to Charlie, the family dog that my dad had gotten us when we were kids, even though my mom was so reluctant to give into it. My dad had insisted on teaching us some responsibility with this big goofy looking lab mix. I can still hear the rattling of his tags and feel his fur under my fingertips when he'd walk down the hallway, chasing after Sam and I. Barking at my dad and Uncle Damon who would rough house with him, sitting in my mom's lap as she'd spend late nights, pouring out her heart into her journals.

Charlie, the best gift- other than himself- that my dad had ever given us as kids. I miss him as I lean my head back against the wall and exhale deeply, continuing to listen to my parents talking to each other.

"Elena, you need to let her go." Dad tells her in a sweet tone, I can picture him wrapping her up into his protective embrace and kissing the top of her head, like he always does.

"I know. But, she's our little girl, Stefan. This isn't like when Sam told us that he wanted to follow in your footsteps. For some strange reason, even though I have a feeling that you, Damon and Tyler all got to him about it...I was okay with that because, I know how much Sam loved the idea of being like you.

But, Olivia..She-."

Dad exhales deeply, kissing her face once more as I hear her nuzzle her head against his shoulder, sighing out a breath when he states. " And,she just wants to be like her mother."

"What?" My asks him in confusion, stepping away as I hear her back away and she laughs a little. "I don't want her to be like me, Stefan! I want Olivia to be strong and-."

He cuts her off with a laugh, stepping closer to her as I picture him smiling at her widely at how silly she sounds. "You are strong and you are an amazing woman, that's why I married you! Just like you don't question Sam wanting to be like me. I don't question Olivia wanting to be like you, Elena. You need to give yourself more credit. Even when I wasn't in the picture, you were doing an amazing job with the kids and you still do- every day. So, Olivia wants to go to California and be a writer like her mother...If you ask me, I think it's amazing."

She laughs, probably placing her hand onto his chest and leaning into him again as he wraps his arms around her and this time, kisses her lips when she looks at him with her brown loving eyes. "You're amazing...Ha. But, sweetheart. I write in a journal. That's it..."

Dad huffs out a breath, most likely holding in what he really wants to say. But, instead he blurts out. "I know, that's why I tucked a few of our old journals into Olivia's suitcase. She's always been curious about our lives, Elena. Of what you and I were like when we were her age. So, I thought that there's no harm in her knowing. She's 18 years old." He tells her, listening when she exhales deeply, nodding at him.

"I know. And, there isn't any harm in it. So, let her read away. I just...I'm going to miss her, Stefan." She tells him.

I can visualize it in my head, seeing my dad nod at her as he embraces her once again in the middle of our kitchen, the lights low and the rest of the room barely lit as they stand there and hold each other, talking about their lives together and how much they'll miss me, how much they love their children.

That's when it hits me, hearing the light turn off when she clears her throat and sniffles and he tells her that he loves her more that she'll ever know. At that moment, I know exactly what I want to write...

My sweaty palms and nervous shaking hands fumble to an empty page as I scribble down a few things, looking at my pen marks from earlier in the day when I had tried this. I inhale deeply through my nose, close my eyes and allow myself to get lost in whatever comes to mind and that's when I start writing it...

I wish I could explain to you what these last 12 years of my life have been like. In all honesty, it's hard to put into words. But, I'll try. It was hard when we were kids to learn that Matt wasn't our real father and that our real dad had been suffering with a lot of things until he finally came home. I remember that day so well, the crisp New York air blowing around Sam and I as my little 5 year old self stood behind my brother because I was scared to approach the man that looked like he knew us all too well, like he had a lifetime of memories with us.

The first time my hands touched my dads and he smiled at me through tears in his eyes when I asked him if the scars on his hands hurt, was the first time I knew that he'd never hurt me, never disappoint us or my mother, because he had fought like hell to come back to us, to his family. That he'd make up for all the time that we lost with him as kids. And, with him throughout the years- we'd learn to be a family again.

It's the memories of what it was like for us that I still hold on to and cherish, the memories of the gas station when I was five years old, holding his hand through the parking lot and gazing up at him like he was my very one and only superhero. The time that he took us to Missouri and showed us both that family was the most important thing in our lives that we'd ever get to know. It's memories like falling asleep on his chest, listening to his heart beat or having him fix my hair over and over again because I'd purposefully undo the braids, just to spend time with him. Memories of my mother sitting on his lap and smiling at him like they were keeping a secret that only the two of them knew about, watching them dance the night away as the sun went down behind them. It's memories like those that make me thankful that we got my father back.

So, when dad asked me what I wanted to write about in my journal. I drew a few blanks, tossed out a few sheets of paper that I had scribbled upon. Until it hit me, listening to them talk tonight, all alone in the kitchen- like they were the only two people in the house. I want to talk about my parents and their lives together, I want to write about them and the love that they have shared throughout the years. I want to dig deep into their journals, into their memories and I want to relive what they've experienced.

I want to tell you all a little story about a young and naive fighter fighter falling in love with a very head strong and hopeless romantic waitress at a diner called Rosie's. But, to tell that story, I need to go all the back to the beginning of when they met, where their love for each other was unknown and new, when it all started.

It was August 20th, 2005...The fall day was usually hot for New York City and she was just a young woman never once believing that she'd run into the man that would cause her to question everything that she knew about love and herself, the young fire fighter who wasn't serious about anything at all...Until he met her. Leaving an impression on her with his smile and charm that she'd have to get to know him, whether she wanted too or not...

I slowly make my way upstairs and crawl into my bed, placing the journal down against my lap. Waiting for the sunset to come up as I spend my last night at home with my family. I feel like a little kid again in my pink bedroom, suddenly hearing the door creak open to my room as I grab my cell phone and flash it as Sam's head. My brother's wearing a thick sweat shirt, that has the bold letters FDNYC on it, reminding me of dad's. He's smiling at me, putting his hands up and laughing when I watch him tug Aiden into my room by his arm.

"Come on, this was your idea, Aiden. Get your butt in here!" Sam mumbles, grinning when I lock my eyes on to him and scoop my legs up towards my chest.

"It's 2am, Sam! What the hell is going on?" I ask him with heavy and sleepy eyelids, a slight rasp in my tired voice. I have to leave in the afternoon and I already know that's its going to be emotional for all of us. Including mom and dad. Although, my going off to college is just a new chapter in my life and I can't wait for it to start.

"I thought we could show Aiden something." He tells me, pulling a stack of sheets from my desk, one's that mom and I had folded up into two nice stacks.

"Sam, get out!" I nearly shriek at him as Aiden starts laughing so loud that the light in the hallway turns on and we hear dad's voice booming from inside of the house, followed by mom's footsteps.

"Shit, their awake! I was really hoping not to wake you two up. But, since you're here dad. Come on and help me put this up." Sam comments, causing dad to grumble at him. Grabbing the pink sheets as they unfold them and mom leans against the door frame. Her eyes never leaving dad's body.

"Enjoying the view?" He asks her in a playful tone, pivoting on his feet as he winks at her and Aiden and I laugh. Even after all these years, they still have that spark, that love that they always did between them and it makes me happy, knowing that they're finally okay and happier than they ever have been.

"Sam Salvatore! What in gods name are you doing in your sisters bedroom at 2am?" Mom asks him, tightening her black robe and running her hands through her long and beautiful brown hair, her wedding ring glistening in the bright light from the hallway.

Sam gives her that sweet smirk. The one he learned from dad when he was 16 years old and needing some advice on what to do around this girl he liked. "That smile won't work on me, Samuel Alexander Salvatore. So, try again. Why did you wake up the whole house?"

He laughs, looking down at the floor before he adds with a heartfelt smile. "It's Olivia's last night in town, in this house with us and I thought we could do something we haven't done since we were kids. Remember mom? "

"What's that?" Aiden asks me, as I lean into him and smile even wider when mom smile's. She has tears in her eyes, glossed over water eyelids when she says. " You woke us all up this early because you want to build a fort."

Dad turns towards her as they put up the last piece of the sheet so that it hangs over my small full size bed, piling a bunch of blankets on to the floor when dad finally says. "Elena, it's not a fort sweetie. It's a-" He pauses, glancing over at Sam and I who automatically reply with the same words that we had told dad at the safe house, years ago. "It's a castle. Dad!"

I smile widely as dad strokes the top of mom's hand with his thumb, pulling her towards him and kissing her cheek, both of them sitting down first, watching Sam, Aiden and I join them when we all sit around my room on the floor in a circle.

"Alright. So, in honor of my sister leaving us for California. I hear by call tonight "a remembrance night". To my sister. Not only have you been my twin for the last 18 years and a pain in my ass. But, you've been my best friend too. I love you with my whole heart and I want you to know no matter where life takes us that I'll always be your older brother." He states, glancing over at mom who learns into me, grabbing my wrist and letting out a small laugh. "He's right, Livia. Sam's older by a few minutes."

I watch her lean back towards dad's chest as he wraps his arms around her and kisses her forehead before she begins to speak. "To the love of my life. Besides your father of course. You three are my whole world. You always have been and I have fought so hard to protect you. Olivia, my sweet heart and little girl. No matter how old you get, you'll always be my little girl. You stole my heart the moment you locked your beautiful brown eyes on me. I'm going to miss you like crazy. However, I want you to follow your heart and your dreams. And, if you ever want to come back home. We'll be here. Waiting with the porch light on." She tells me, tears welling up and spilling over her cheeks as she smiles and shifts to be closer to dad when he grabs her hand, his other hand stroking her hair with his fingertips to calm her nerves, whispering softly against her ear. "I love you."

My sniffles, kissing his cheek and nuzzling her face in the curve of his neck as she exhales and says in a soft tone. "I love you too."

"Aiden, how about you go first." Dad tells us, looking around the room when mom pulls his hands to be around her stomach. Sam and I watch as dad winks at us and we all hear Aiden clear his throat, smirking when he bumps me with his knees, his back leaning against my bed as he says. "I just want your room as a game room. That's it. Oh, and of course I'll miss you..duh! But, seriously, mom..Can I have her room as a game room?"

"We'll see about that." Dad says with a laugh, smiling at me and swallowing the lump in his throat when he states. "My turn. Olivia, I love you, kiddo. Ever since I first met you, even when I came back..You and I have always been close. I'm going to miss you and our writing sessions together. But-." I lift my hand off the ground, tears threatening to spill over my checks when I lock my eyes on to my father and allow his words to sink in. Dad and I have been really close, he was the one who had even gave me my first official 'big girl' journal.

"Hold that though. Dad, you gave me this years ago and you told me to write what ever I wanted in it. Well, since tonight's all about remembering the good old days. Let's start with telling Aiden a little story from my journal. It's a favorite of mine that I want to share, since the story has been passed down and, I don't think Aiden has ever heard before." I comment, watching my whole family glance up at me as I get up and pull the journal into my hands, turning to sit back down and clearing my throat.

I put the journal into my lap, flipping the pages to where I'd spent the last few days writing in. Sitting cross legged on the floor, watching them all wait for me to continue speaking and I'm suddenly nervous. Although, I want to remember this moment, all of us together like this, it's peaceful. It's perfect and I wouldn't want to change it for anything. I'm nervous as to what they'd say if my parents found out what I've been writing about.

I can see it in my parent's eyes as I smile and pause at a page full of scribbles, speaking softly when I talk. " So, I'm sure that we've all heard this story before. But, I know for a fact that Aiden really hasn't. So, little brother, sit tight and enjoy it, this could take a while."

Aiden smiles at me, when he asks. "What's it about?"

I can't hide the smile that spreads across my face when I glance up and lock my eyes onto my parents as I answer him. "It's a love story about a couple. It's a story of love and loss, of everything that brought them together and tore them apart. And, them never giving up on hope and each other. It's about two people who were fated to be together, destined some would say, even in their darkest hours, they never gave up hope on one another."

I turn towards him, watching him crinkle his nose when he says. "I don't like love stories. They're boring!"

I laugh, placing my hand onto his shoulder when I say. "What if I told you that this story is different. That is starts in August of 2005 and is about two people that I love very much, that have changed my life for the better because of who they are, because of who they became over the years. Two people who we all know, very well."

He tilts his head to the side, looking up at me with his hazel colored eyes and exhales deeply, looking a bit more interested.

"Who's it about? Does it have a happy ending?" He asks me eagerly as I look up at mom and dad and smile even wider towards my younger brother.

"It does, Aiden. Their story does have a very happy ending. And, I'm going to tell you how it all started..." My voice trails off as I clear my throat, reminding myself to leave the parts out about my mother that I had promised her love ago that I'd never tell anyone after she had told me.

"It all began on an early fall morning, when he saved her life for the very first time. Neither of them knew it then. But, their chance meeting at a small diner called "Rosie's" that she worked at was about to change them both, for the rest of their lives. Because, they were about to embark on romance that would span years and cause them to have memories that spanned a life time...Memories that were too important to not remember..."

A/N: Please read the Part 4 to this series called "Afire Love". Also, check out the "One and Only: Missing Scenes" for more Bamon, Stelena and Forwood one shot scenes.

Thank you all for reading! :)