S T E F A N

I stared at Oliver, dumbfounded, and felt so small that I was worried about such a simple thing. When I told him that, he dismissed me with a glare, and damn, how can he make an "angry look" seem so cute?

He folded his arms, a frown on his face. "Silly daddy! Your concerns are valid, no matter how small it is. If it makes you feel bad to the point where you feel so conflicted you can't tell me, then it is serious. I won't let you deal with it alone. We're in this together, is that clear?" He angrily spat, his face red with frustration, and the laughter that I tried to contain since his adorable glare a while ago bursts out, while Oliver narrowed his gaze on me.

"Damn, baby boy. How can you make my worries disappear like that? I must have looked like a fool, trying to make a storm in a teacup." I shook my head, a wide smile on my face, and the problem I have been struggling with just vanished into thin air. This is what Oliver does to me. He makes everything better without even trying.

Oliver huffed and pouted. "Fine, I'll let you go this time for making fun of me, but you have to tell me the reason why you were sulking, as to what Trev noticed." I should've known it was Trevor. I pride myself on being able to hide my emotions well, but I guess it was futile from the start.

"Alright, but promise me. You won't laugh or make fun of me." Oliver nodded and pressed his lips on mine, a silent promise that he will keep his word. I filled my lungs with air and closed my eyes hard, and opened them. "I... I was jealous. Okay? That's it. We're done." A shallow laugh bubbles out of my throat, as I try to escape a very awkward and humiliating situation.

"Of whom?" Oliver asked seriously, so I glanced at him, confusion on his face, a hint of anger crossing his brown eyes. Anger? "Of whom, Stef? I'm asking you." I was startled by the hard tone of his voice, indicating that he is mad. He has never been mad. Oliver and anger do not match well. In fact, they don't match at all.

"Remember when you mentioned how the name of your first love is the password to your box?" His face brightened and nodded. "I got jealous because of that. It's just my selfish need to monopolize your everything. I'm sorry for being so immature," I uttered softly, the unpleasant feeling coming back in waves.

"Is that something you should be ashamed of, daddy?" He asked with a smile, the frown on his face disappeared.

"But... that was so trivial and annoying. I hate feeling like this."

"You hate me?" He asked softly and I shook my head furiously.

"No! What I mean is, I don't like feeling jealous because I don't know how to deal with it. I have never been jealous, and you're the first one, Ollie."

"If you hate that feeling, then you also hate me. Getting jealous of someone over me just shows how much I mean to you. You don't want me to get taken, right? If you don't want to feel jealous anymore, does that mean that you are giving me up?"

"No! Never! Not a chance!" I bellowed as I tightened my grip on his hands. I will never let him go.

He smiled and nodded in understanding. "It's alright to be jealous. As long as it is within reason." Then he sighed. "I guess I should apologize too."

"Why? You didn't do anything wrong." It was all me. I was the one who made things complicated.

"Yes, I did. I should've made myself clear so there won't be any misunderstandings," he sighed, an amused smile on his lips.

"Misunderstandings? What do you mean?" Is there something I misunderstood? It was so clear that I got jealous of his first love. Unless...

He hummed, a sparkle in his eyes. "Do you want to know who's my first love?" He asked excitedly, and it made my heart drop. It is pure torture to see your loved one talking about someone else.

"Should I be curious?" He nodded and I sighed. I don't want to regret this. "Fine, but since it's honesty hour right now, I just want to let you know that after I learn his name, I will do everything so he won't be able to get even a glimpse of your gorgeous curls. You are mine, all of you is mine." I declared possessively, and he blushed so hard as he chewed on his bottom lip.

"Are you sure daddy? About the threats, not the possession part."

"A hundred percent." I gulped and when he opened his mouth, I held my breath, everything coming into slow motion.

"It's STEFAN." He casually dropped the bomb and I, unable to process it all, remained flustered and astounded... as I stare into space. Huh? Did he say my name? Did I hear it correctly? It can't be. We haven't met back then. How would he know me? Unless it's a different person and--

"Daddy! Snap out of it." He shook my shoulder and finally got me outside of my head. I turned my attention back to him and he exhaled audibly. "Did you hear what I said? My first love is you! Can you believe that?" He cheered and bounced on my lap.

I held his waist to still him and sighed. "Don't get me wrong, baby boy. I'm still shocked over this whole thing. I do want to shower you with kisses but I'm still confused. How did such a convenient thing happen?"

He smiled and pushed himself closer to me, as he brushed my hair aside, a soft peck pressed on my forehead. "When I remembered what the password was, imagine how thrilled I am. The heavens have been so kind to me to have my first love and my truest love, the same. I was so over the moon, daddy," he shared, his eyes twinkling, his happiness overflowing and brightening up the room. Even the cold breeze touching our skin remained ignored.

So that's why he was so happy. I want to smack myself for assuming the worst, and now everything seemed irrelevant. I should have asked him before letting myself spiral out of control, worrying needlessly, and in return, giving Oliver unnecessary concern. I feel so stupid.

"I'm sorry, sweet bean. I should've just asked instead of letting my insecurities get ahead of me. It's just... the thoughts of you loving someone before me... and I know it's incredibly selfish, knowing I also had past relationships before, but it's different. You're my first love, and knowing that another person was able to receive your love first... my mind was unable to comprehend that fact, and I bottled it all up," I confessed, hoping that even after knowing how selfish and monopolistic I am, he will still choose to be with me.

I felt his trembling hands on my cheek, his eyes filled with unshed tears, trying his hardest not to cry. My sweet, sweet baby boy. "Wow. What an amazing love confession. Anyone would fall head over heels for you if you keep that up, daddy," he said with a sniffle and soft chuckle. I smiled and sighed in relief.

"How can I ever leave you? Knowing how sweet and kind you are? After knowing that I'm the one for you and no one else? I'm not a fool," he finished with a smile and I just had to hug the life out of him, and he hugged me back, giggling and bouncy. He knows what to say to make me confident. He knows what to do to chase all of my fears away.

After a few seconds, he pulled away and stared at me like I'm going to disappear. "When I saw what was inside that microchip, I cried so hard. I thought that no one will know all the things Bryce said and did to me, yet my parents knew. They knew and they want him to pay for it." I was distracted earlier so I don't know which file is he talking about, but I'll leave it for later. I want to focus all my attention on my baby.

"I fell asleep while crying, and when I woke up, I noticed a mini-chest on top of the coffee table of our library, along with a thin folder, and a family picture. Wait a bit, I'll get it." He climbed off my lap and went to my table, and pulled out a small envelope under the printed files of pieces of evidence. "Here, take a look."

I accepted the envelope and opened it, a soft gasp falling from my lips. "This... this is us." He nodded and sat beside me, both of us staring at the picture.

It was our family photograph, with my two brothers and me in the center, back when we were teens. While my family was smiling so wide, I was the only one sulking and with a sour face. "I remember this. My family was so happy that we won the soccer championship, but I was so frustrated and disappointed," I reminisced with a smile and shook my head a little.

Oliver rested his chin on my arm and frowned. "Why? You won, right?"

My arm went around his shoulder and placed a gentle kiss on the tip of his nose. "Yeah, but on the final half of the game, the ace of the opponent's team got injured, leaving our enemy handicapped. I felt so bad. It felt like we won because it was not much of a competition."

Oliver hummed and rested his head on my chest. "But think about this, daddy bear. Injuries and luck are all part of the game. Even if you felt like it was not much of a competition, did the opponent team let you win easily?" I shook my head. It was a brutal round, up until the final minute. "Then don't say that your team won just because the ace was taken out. It would be a sign of disrespect, not only to your team but to the one who got injured as well. I bet he wanted to play some more but wasn't allowed to right?" I nodded, agreeing with what he said.

Oliver's right. I was being selfish and conceited. It was not my intention to look down on their team.

"You're right, baby. I never thought of it that way. Thank you for that." He giggled and wrapped his arms around my torso. "So, tell me more about how I came to be your first love." He blushed and buried his face in my chest, a muffled groan being delivered to my ears. I chuckled and ran my fingers through his curls, while he tightened his hug.

"I don't know why, but when I saw you, my heart thumped so loud, I thought I might go deaf." He clutched my shirt and slowly peeked at me, and I found it so adorable... how he shyly checks for my reaction with rosy cheeks and a hesitant gaze.

"But how did you know my name? What was in the folder?"

He sat properly and inhaled the fresh evening breeze. "The folder contains the names of trusted people that I should contact in case something happened to mom and dad, along with the photograph. That's why I wanted to meet your father; I want to ask for his help. That photo was inserted so I'll know whom to reach out to," Oliver explained and handed me the folder that was actually on the table in front of us.

The folder contained our private information, and lists of names Oliver should watch out for in his company. This just feels like a premonition. Did Izen and Mara perhaps have a hint on what was about to transpire the night of the accident? I know this has crossed Oliver's mind too, being the smart boy that he is.

"There were names on the back of the photograph, and when I saw you the first time at the hotel, I didn't recognize you then. How can someone becomes more attractive in just a few years?" He mumbled with a small pout, but I heard it loud and clear.

I chuckled and kissed his jutted lips, which made him pout even more, asking for another one, which I obliged. My baby was being so cute and I want to spoil him.

"When we bumped into each other, my heart was racing so fast, I fear I might faint due to overwhelming emotions," he explained with a small smile, and I nodded. "I didn't know it at that time but I found your green eyes so familiar. I just realized a few days ago that the person in the photo and you are the same," he added with a small laugh, a slight blush on his cheeks.

"I was entranced by your eyes, daddy bear. Whenever I feel anxious and scared, I just picture your green eyes and I feel a little bit better. That's when I realized that I was falling slowly. I loved you before I even got the chance to meet you, Stef," he admitted sincerely and my heartbeat raced in response.

At a loss for words, I pulled him for a hug and had him straddle my lap as I nuzzled on his neck. "I love you so much, Ollie. I'm greatly honored to be your first." I wanted to tell him a secret but this is not the right time. I pulled my head back I remembered something. "Wait. If I'm your first love, how did you forget the password then?" I arched my brow, eager to hear his explanation for this part. He rubbed his cheeks and gave me an unsure smile.

"Uh, that. Part of it was because I had my head in the clouds when I was putting the password, and the other part was because I was so preoccupied with you, I just forgot. I mean... I was so busy with my feelings for you it didn't occur to me then. I didn't care that you're my first love or whatever. What matters was that you love me and you're mine," he answered shyly and scratched his eyebrow awkwardly, a hesitant smile on his face.

"All good, baby. I understand. So many things happened in the past few days. Don't apologize for that."

There was nothing to be sorry about. I understand his reasons. His mind must be swimming the entire time, with the death of his parents, the threats and harassment of Elena and Peterson... no one in their right mind has the time to daydream about their first love.

Oliver smiled widely and bounced on my lap, then he gasped and cupped my cheeks. "Daddy! I almost forgot, but I'm a little bit sad," he said with a pout, and I frowned.

"Why, baby boy?"

He huffed and folded his arms, a permanent pout on his lips. "You told Devon about your problem, and not me. I understand that he's your long-time friend, but don't I also deserve to know? The person in question?" He complained, his voice laced with hurt.

My brows met in unison as I try to dig deeper into my memory if I actually talked to Devon about my problems, but nothing comes to mind. As if on cue, the door opened and both of us turned and the person involved entered, scratching his nape while Trevor was pushing Devon.

Trevor kicked Devon's heel, making Devon turn to him. "You better have a good explanation, or else I would lock you out of the club, and you won't be able to see your pretty boy again," Trevor threatened in a whisper, but both Oliver and I heard it clearly, as we looked into each other, a hint of surprise and amusement in our expression.

"What? Come on, Trevor. Oliver just misunderstood," Devon reasoned out, then turned to us. "Right, best friend?" He threw Oliver a pleading look but my adorable baby just tilted his head, his expression full of innocence, but a playful glint crossed his eyes in an instant. Oh ho, my baby boy also loves to tease his friend. This is getting interesting.

"Here I thought I was your best friend, Slane." I shook my head in disappointment, while Devon just rolled his eyes. I heard Oliver snickered for a second but managed to muffle it

Trevor smacked Devon's head playfully. "See? Oliver doesn't know a thing. You should phrase your words correctly. Now, explain." We stifled our laughs as Oliver and I watched Trevor and Devon in a comedy skit of their own-- Trevor acting like a mother scolding his child for being naughty and forcing him to apologize, while Devon was the kid who's a natural airhead, always daydreaming and carefree.

Devon clucked his tongue and scrunched his face, as he roughly plopped to the sofa opposite of us, sighing deeply before glancing at us. "Oliver, Stefan, I'm sorry if I made things complicated. Just to make it clear, out in the open, Stefan did not confide to me or anything." He was talking to my baby and Oliver nodded.

"I was actually on my way to the kitchen when I happen to hear him talking to himself in the living room, pacing back and forth, unsure of what to do about your first love," Devon emphasized and glanced at Oliver. "But I did hear Stefan mumbled threats like beating him to a pulp, throwing him under the bridge, hit and run, maybe serve him as fodder for the sharks, I don't know. I'm not sure where his mind traveled to because I was so hungry," Devon explained and all eyes were on me, as I hid on my baby's back, my face ten times hotter than it was.

Fuck! What was I thinking, doing a monologue in an open area?

Bad decisions manifest when you are not in the right mind. I heard Oliver giggle, but when I groaned, he tried to keep it in, but his shoulders were shaking slightly.

I grunted and tightened my hold on him, as I try to reflect on bad choices driven by boiling emotions. "Baby boy... fine. You can laugh." Oliver did, his beautiful laughter echoing in the room so soothing, and I realized how lovesick I am, and that's okay. As long as it's with Oliver.

"B-but daddy... it was so hilarious that you were plotting to kill yourself. So cute and hilarious," he wheezed and my two friends joined in the fun, whistling and teasing me. Yup, I should've gone and discussed it with Ollie. Then I won't have to bear the shame of jumping to conclusions.

*****

12:05 am

Stef's Office, Stefan's Manor

O L L I E

My shy daddy decided to come out of his hiding place and settled on my shoulder, his chin resting on it while his arms were wrapped around me in a tight embrace, still pouting and blushing. I can't believe he was so hung up on the issue with my first love. "I should've noticed it..."

"Stop it, baby boy," Stefan warned me, a bit startled that I was thinking out loud again. He kissed the side of my neck and rubbed my legs. "It was my own decision to hide it from you. I don't want you to think that I'm childish or petty for worrying about such trivial matters," he murmured regrettably, and I tapped his hands.

"That's alright, daddy. But next time, if you ever feel anxious or uncertain, don't hesitate to share your burdens." I shifted so I was straddling him, and looked straight into his soft eyes gazing admirably and fondly at me.

"We're a team. No one should be left behind. I'm more than a partner. I'm your fiancé." I lifted my left hand and flashed my ring, and a very known emotion filled his eyes, a wide smile on his face.

"What?! You're engaged?" Trevor and Devon exclaimed, the two of them mirroring an expression of shock and disbelief.

"Uh, I thought you both know. It has been a few days after all," I said with a shrug, but both of them shook their heads.

Trevor stood up and pointed at Stefan, sporting a betrayed expression. "That man of yours should be blamed. I mean, how can both of you stay in your room for almost twenty-four hours?" He blurted out and glared at Stefan. "Come on, Stefan. You should consider Oliver's stamina. You're fucking like bunnies, how much more on your honeymoon," Trevor said bluntly and admonished Stefan who just cleared his throat, while I buried my face in the crook of daddy's neck, so embarrassed about the whole thing. Did we do it that often?

"It was not so surprising that we won't see Oliver's ring. If he's not in your room, he's wearing an oversized hoodie or one of your shirts, Stefan. Of course, we wouldn't notice. You should've told us, so we can hold a proper celebration. Jesse loves to organize these kinds of things," Trevor added and raised his brow. That's right, Jesse. I've yet to meet him.

Trevor went on about how Stefan should treat me right while Devon covered his mouth to muffle his laughter, with Stefan glaring so hard at Devon. I never thought that Trevor has a personality like this. My first impression of him is that he's cool and distant, but when you got to know him, he has a great sense of humor, cares for the people he treasures the most and is so head over heels about his fiancé.