"It is said that your life flashes before your eyes just before you die. That is true, it's called Life."

-Terry Pratchett

Mystic Falls

August 1859

"You called for me, Father?" I say as I peek my head into my Father's study doorway.

My Father looks up from his writings. "Yes, Winifred. I wanted to know about the progress on growing the vervain. Have you been able to use your medical skills to utilize the plant?" He folds his hands together as I walk into the room. Shutting the door behind me. Damon is home for leave and Stefan is home sick from school. I didn't need them eavesdropping on our conversation.

I sit down in front of my Father. "We have been able to turn the plant into a liquid. We can lace our drinking water or tea. Or maybe even alcohol. It gives off a certain taste but that can be hidden by other tastes. Then I can also lace my medicinal shots with it. That way, we can keep it in the civilians bloodstreams at all times." I explain. Over the last few months, Father and I researched ways to rid our town of vampires. And we can across the plant named vervain. I found it sold in a few towns over so I bought some and started growing it.

"That's good. Very good." My Father starts writing again. "Thank you, Winifred. I mean it. I couldn't have done this without a doctor on our side like you have been."

I smile at him. Finally he sees me for who I am and not a stupid, little girl. "Of course. We need to protect Damon and Stefan. Also every family in Mystic Falls. Thank you for letting me on the council." I say before I get up and leave his study.

"See you soon, Winifred." My Father mutters. And with that I close the door.

I walk down the hallway. Collecting my things. "Your not going to say hello to your favorite brother?" I turn around to see Damon on the stairs. He smirks at me and continues down the stairs. He is wearing simple brown slacks with an open, button up white shirt.

"I'm sorry, Damon. I just promised Barnie I would start dinner early this evening. How are you?" He engulfs me in a big bear hug and squeezes me tightly. "I can't breath, Da-" I gasp.

Damon lets go and chuckles. "Sorry I forget my own strength. Did you see Father then?" He looks at me.

"Yes, I just saw him. It was quick though." I roll my eyes. I look Damon up and down. "You've gotten taller. I have to look up at you now." I pout.

Damon smirks at me. "Good. Now you can't beat me up." He playfully punches my arm. I shuffle my dress skirts slightly and stick my tongue out at Damon.

"I can take you anytime , Brother." I smirk, popping my knuckles. I slide on my petticoat.

"Your on, Nini." Damon challenges me.

"Anytime, anywhere. But not right now. Because I have a ham to cook." I lean up, kissing his cheek gently. "I love you, Damon."

"I love you too, Nini." He opens the front door for me.

"Tell Stef that I will bring him some soup tomorrow. And that I wish him well." I say and giggle as Damon nods over and over. I walk out the door and he shuts it behind me. The carriage is waiting for me as I walk down the porch steps of my old home.

March 1862

The last two months have been hell for me. Constantly tired and endlessly feeling sick. I thought since I worked at a hospital that I contracted the flu, but I have had all my shots to help my immune system. I eat healthy and I exercise as much as any lady would at my age. So because nothing helped, I spoke to Dr. Fell and he saw me last week. Within two hours, he had diagnosed me.

Barnie and I am expecting. I feel stupid that I am a doctor yet I didn't even think there was any chance of me being pregnant. I told Barnie the news that night after I found out. He is excited. I am scared out of my mind. I'm not ready to be a Mother. I barely grew up with one, much less know how to be one.

I place my hand on my small stomach that was protruding out of my hips. I can't believe that I am showing this early either. Barnie calls the baby, his big boy. He suspects the baby is a boy because of how big my stomach is already.

Humming a tune of a lullaby that I remember my Mother sang to me as I sit on the porch, enjoying a cup of tea. Barnie is at a council meeting with my Father. They both ordered me to stay home from now on and leave the vampire escapades for the council while I am pregnant.

Stefan and Damon were visiting me and they are currently wrestling. I giggle as Stefan knocks Damon off of him. Stefan is growing up to be equally as handsome as Damon.  Both my Brothers are handsome and will be great husbands one day. I wince as a sharp pain runs through my body.

I stand up from my rocking chair. Dropping my teacup. "Damon!" I shout as another wave of pain pulses through my body. My eyesight falters as I feel myself falling. Damon and Stefan start toward me.  And I am knocked out cold.

Hours later...

I wake up in the hospital. Damon is on my left while Barnie is on my right. Both clasping my hands tightly. "Why the long faces?" I say hoarsely.

Barnie instantly sits up. "Oh my heavens! Winnie, you scared the devil out of me." He mutters. Barnie reaches his large hand reaches up and runs his fingers through my hair gently.

"I'm sorry." I croak out. Tears fill my eyes. I didn't know what happened and why I passed out. "What happened?"

Damon spoke up now. "You passed out and kept mumbling about pain. Stef and I rushed you here. Then sent word to Father and Barnette about you. Dr. Fell.." He frowns. His gaze looks down at my small swollen stomach.

"Dr.Fell says your sick. Your body isn't taking the pregnancy well. And he can't really do anything medically except prescribe something for pain." Barnie says, squeezing my hand.

"Morphine could kill the baby. " I state and see Barnie nod in agreement. Dr.Fell must have told him about the options. "No, I don't want anything for the pain. I just want to carry the baby as long as I can."

"It could kill you, Winnie." Barnie mutters. "I can't let you kill yourself."

"I will be fine. I'm a doctor. I can find a way around this, Barnie. You will have a son. I promise." I say as I clasp his hand tightly. Leaning over and kissing him gently. I think I actually love him even though I didn't at first.

October 30, 1862

Pain. That is what I felt throughout the whole pregnancy. The baby could come any day now. And Dr. Fell is just guessing because we never know on these things. Tears start to fall from my eyes as I look over at Barnie from the hospital bed. I came in this morning with severe pain.

Barnie walks over to me. I instantly grab his hand. "Everything hurts." I whimper.

Barnie nods. "I'm sorry, Winnie." He kisses my forehead. "Do you need anything?" He says as he looks me over. My belly is as big as a watermelon.

I shake my head. "Just for our little man to come out." I mutter. Biting my lip as more tears spill over into my cheeks. I studied up on my condition as I progressed in the pregnancy. It was like my body is trying to attack the baby because it is a foreign object in my body. There isn't exact history about other women with the same issue. It's a rare disease.

I felt like I had to pee really bad and then suddenly the urge was gone and my bed sheets were soaked. Barnie jumps up. I watch as he doesn't say a word as he runs out to get Dr. Fell.

The pain increases. I clench the sheets as I convulse and feel my eyes rolls into the back of my head. My Mother suffered from attacks like this before she got diagnosed. I am having a seizure.

I can't open my eyes again. It's too painful. I hear people running into the room though.

"She is seizing." I hear Dr. Fell say. "We need to get the baby out now so we can save both of them." I can tell it's too late. They can't save me. I'm seizing still.

"Winifred, stay with us. Hold on." Dr. Fell whispers to me.

I hear them as they prepare the room for the emergency Caesarian section. I feel pressure on my stomach as they cut into me.

"Mr. Lockwood, you should wait out in the hall. We will let update you on both their conditions as soon as we can." A nurse tells Barnie. He is crying. The man lost one wife, now he will be losing me.

Suddenly, the room is silent. And the silence is filled with the beautiful cry. I just want to open my eyes and see my baby.

"The baby boy is out. And is in perfect condition." The same nurse from earlier says. I can practically hear the smile in her voice. I listen as my baby boy cries his heart out as the darkness takes me away.

Next thing I hear, I figured that I am dreaming because I hear my Mother. And I feel something warm forced down my throat.

"I'm so sorry, baby girl. I should have come sooner." My Mother whispers. She pets my hair. Her hand clenches a fist full of my hair and I hear one single crack before I'm taken again by the darkness.

***I totally couldn't wait to update again. Sorry if this is short. Because I knew I wouldn't be able if I waited. So what do you think? I'm really excited that this is the last full past chapter and I'm moving into season 6 now! Comment and Vote! ***

P.S. I know her death was rather awful but back then they didn't have technology to help women in that situation. Please don't hate me!!!