"Layla?", I said softly and her gaze diverted to mine, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion for a second before she opened her mouth to speak

"Who are you?"

My jaw dropped, and I stared blankly at her, trying to speak, but no words were coming out of my mouth and my throat went dry.

"It's me", I breathed out, and she was giving me that Am I supposed to know you? Look. I felt my heart starting to beat slow. "It's me, Damon"

She regained that look on her face, before I saw her lips purse into a straight line, trying to hold back a laugh, I quickly realized what she did.

"Very funny Layla", I faked laughed, and she laughed softly

"I couldn't help it, I'm sorry", she continued laughing, and I clicked my tongue. I nearly had a reverse heart attack from that stunt. She cupped my face in her hand and caressed my cheek and smiled lazily.

"You look terrible", she said quietly before chuckling softly and shook her head. I laughed, taking her hands in mine and turned my head to kiss them. I missed the sound of her voice so much, it felt like I was dreaming that I was hearing her talking to me.

"I know ", I smiled weakly whereas I felt a sob threatened to leave my lips as I looked at her. She was awake and talking back.

"I'm thirsty", she breathed out, and I poured some water for her and helped her drink it. "Thanks", she smiled after she quenched her thirst.

"Are you in any pain?", I asked, and she shook her head.

"I'm just tired", she breathed out lazily, and I kissed her hand again

"I'm going to call someone okay? A doctor or a nurse. Don't close your eyes", I warned before I speed out the door. It felt so unreal seeing her eyes opened after such a long time. I nearly bumped into Dr Khan on the way.

"She's awake"

"Are you certain?", she asked as she walked past me into Layla's ward and I stood by the door as Dr Khan was still examining Layla, asking her questions like her name, what's the last thing she remembers seeing and that sorta stuff. When Layla was responding all the questions clearly, Dr Khan looked at me and gave me an approving nod.

"She's back"

When several tests were performed on her just to make sure she was okay, I went to let the others know that Layla had woken up. No amount of words could describe how emotional and relieved everyone was, Cedric cried for a good five minutes.

"Can I come in?", I asked Dr Khan as she was still writing something on the medical file

"Yeah sure, we're done here ", she smiled at Layla. I walked towards her bed and took her hand in mine.

"Can I see my baby?", Layla asked as I adjusted her pillows for her so that she sat up straight comfortably. Dr Khan nodded.

"Of course you can Layla. I'll ask one of the nurses to bring her to you after her bath", she gave Layla a gentle squeeze on the arm.

"She's a beautiful little girl", she said and Layla smiled at her

"I can't wait to meet her"

"I'll give some time alone. I'll come check on you later on today, okay?", Dr Khan excused herself before giving me a short nod of acknowledge.

"Thanks Doc", we said in union

Layla shifted to the side on the bed and patted the space besides her. I climbed on the bed and wrapped my arm around her, and she rested her head on my chest.

"I missed you so much", I kissed her forehead. I could feel her shake her head.

"I get that you missed me, but the question is, did I miss you?", she teased, and I laughed

"I'm being serious Layla", she rose her head to look at me. "I thought I really, really lost you this time. Especially when you said the things you said before you slipped into unconsciousness. The fear of living without you, it became a terrifying reality for a moment", I said and her eyes never left mine when I said this, I felt her hand on my cheek, wiping tears that were streaming down my face, I didn't even realize I was crying.

"I can't imagine my life without you Layla, I just can't", her eyes softened before she pushed herself up to engulf me in a hug

"We're past all of that now. I'm okay. Our baby is okay. Everything is going to go back to normal now. Let's just be grateful for this opportunity we've been given and let's just move on from this okay?", she cupped my face in her hands and wiped of my tears.

"I love you, so so much", I said, and she gave a small smile before leaning to peck me fully on the lips

"I love you too", she engulfed me in a hug. "My poor, big baby", she cooed jokingly as she rocked me side to side.

"Stop it", I pulled myself from her laughing and she laughed. She asked me what's been happening while she was in a coma, I didn't to tell her about Ava's kidnapping as yet, so I told her everything but that. Then she got distracted when the nurse walked through the door with Ava in her hands. Tears pricked her eyes even before she got to hold her.

"Someone has been waiting a very long time to say hi", the nurse smiled as she placed Ava in Layla's arms. We thanked her before she walked out. Layla's smile widened as she rocked Ava in her arms, looking at her adoringly.

"Hi there", she cooed. "I'm your Mommy", she took her small hand and kissed it. Ava's eyes were wide open, and she gave a little smile.

"Oh, she's smiling at me", Layla tapped me excitedly on my arm before laughing as she trailed her fingers on Ava's soft cheeks

"She's so beautiful", she sobbed as she turned to look at me for a second before she looked at Ava again

"I told you", I played Ava's other hand. "She looks just like you", I kissed her temple. "Thank you, Lay", she turned to look at me, clearly not understanding why I was thanking her. "She's the most precious gift you've ever given to me". Her hand traced on Ava's name tag.

"Ava Kingsley", she smiled before kissing my cheek and kissed Ava on her forehead. "It's perfect"

"She's perfect", I kissed her tiny hand. Our eyes rose to see our family walking through the door, already cheerful and ready to give Layla all their love. I smiled to myself as I looked at all of them, together. It was really a beautiful sight, this was reassuring that everything was going to be okay.

I waited patiently, sitting in the cold and gloomy visiting room while tapping my fingers on the metal table when I grew bored by not doing anything. The sound of the buzzer went off and the door opened, Amber was dragged inside by the warder and God she looked horrible. No make-up. No designer clothes. No hair extensions. No glow in her eyes....it was really a sad sight.

"I told you I don't want to see him", she turned to face the warder. "Please take me back to my cell", she pleaded before the warder forced her to sit down opposite me.

"Orange doesn't look good on your baby", I said in fake pity and shook my head. "Who would have thought the tables would turn so fast?"

She rose her face to look at me deadly in the eye." This is all your fault. If your stupid men hadn't followed me around, I would have gotten away with it", she spat dangerously at me as her voice rose.

"What were you thinking?"

"What was I thinking?", she let out a bitter laugh. "I wanted Damon to feel how it feels like to lose something precious. I wanted him to feel when he took away-"

"-his money from you?", I interrupted and raised an eyebrow

"No", she stated, her voice firm. "I loved him with everything I was. He's the man he is today because of me. I stood by that man, I supported him and sacrificed everything I believed in for him. What did he do? He tossed me out on the streets, with no money to my name, like I was a worthless piece of good for nothing trash

"That's because you are a good for nothing piece of bitter gold digging trash", I pointed out as of matter-of-factly and her face turned red. "You're really pathetic Amber, do you know that?"

She rolled her eyes. "I've been told"

"I'm going to make sure you never see the light of day again. You're going to rot in here", I smirked at her, and she took a deep breath.

"I don't care. If you were able to come out, so can I", she said confidently, and I laughed as I stood up.

"Don't be so sure"

"I'm all packed and ready to go", I finished packing the few clothes I had to change into for a couple of days before I got discharged. Damon wasn't even listening to me as he was sitting on the chair, cradling Ava closely to his chest. "I'm sure she fell asleep like an hour ago"

"I know", he laughed. "I just don't want to put her down", he looked up at me and my heart melted all over again at the sight of them together.

He was so careful when it came to her. The look in his eyes when he was with her, I always saw it when he held Dylan, but now it was really different. The tough guy act just disappeared instantly the minute he had Ava in his arms. He becomes soft and gullible. Ava surely had him wrapped around her little finger. I doubt he'll even be able to say no to her.

"She's adorable, isn't she?", I leaned to kiss her cheek, and he chuckled

"Very"

He looked up at me as his eyebrow rose. "Did you say something?"

"I'm. Packed. And. Ready. To. Go", I repeated, a lot slowly so that he gets every word. He laughed as he stood up and placed Ava in my arms. My smile quickly brightened. She really did look like me, a lot, like she was like a baby clone me.

I felt him tilt my head up with his index finger so that I look at him. He pressed his lips against mine.

"Are you ready?", I smiled as we withdrew from the kiss

His lips curved into a smile. "For anything, for as long it's with you"