A/N This is a trial idea that I would love your feedback on as to whether to continue.
Caroline was nervous. Mystic Falls seemed like a perfectly nice place with nice people but it was unfamiliar. Sure her grandma used to live here and she had visited it once or twice but it wasn't home. Not like New York. The busy streets and blaring traffic felt like home not this quiet little town. But that's why it was perfect. Damon would never find her here. So she could make a new start.Ouch! She bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry" A brunette woman apologised. "Nadia you don't run into people do you sweetie?" She chided a little girl who looked just like her. Must be her daughter, Caroline thought enviously.
"It's okay honestly. I'm Caroline Forbes" Caroline introduced herself. Might as well start making friends in this town.
Katherine was having the same thoughts. The blonde looked pretty friendly and she didn't know anyone here. "I'm Katherine Pierce and this is my daughter Nadia. Say hello sweetie"
Nadia just stood behind Katherine bashfully while Caroline waved. She was only six but surprisingly well behaved despite her aversion to strangers. Katherine thought she was the only good thing to come out of her relationship with Mason.
"So where do you live?" Caroline asked curiously. She was going to be living in her grandma's old house. It was truly massive and she had thought about letting a room or two out to tenants at least until she found a job. She needed the money for its upkeep as well. It was a beautiful, traditional house but it needed a lot of work.
"I'm new to the town. I haven't actually found a place yet. It was kind of a rushed decision" Katherine quickly explained. Mason had gambled their house away along with all their money. She had known of course but he never listened to her. That had been the final straw. "Hopefully, I can stay in a hotel for the time being. What about you?"
Caroline paused. She had been thinking about letting out a couple of rooms. Plus, Katherine seemed pretty nice. Maybe she could offer them a room until they find their feet. "I'm new too although my grandma used to live here. So I'm going to be living in her house"
Katherine was surprised. The blonde was new too. Maybe, it wouldn't be as hard as she thought.
Caroline decided to make them an offer. "My grandma's house is pretty big and if you need a room then you're welcome to stay. I could use the company"
"How much will the rent be?" Katherine asked. She didn't want to get her hopes up even if Caroline seemed like a nice person.
"Nothing" Caroline quickly reassured them. "At least until you're settled and have got a job or something. We can make this work"
"Okay if you're sure. I'll definitely pay you back Blondie" Katherine flashed her trademark grin. She and Nadia had somewhere to stay. "Is that okay sweetie?" She bent down and hugged Nadia.
"Of course Kat. It'll be fun" Caroline assured her. At least this way she wouldn't be lonely in that big house. She was unused to being alone. Maybe she could make a true fresh start. "Now follow me"
"It has been so long, has it not brother? Since we have lived in this house" Elijah Mikaelson asked his brother Niklaus solemnly. He remembered last living in the house when he was 18, before their parents died. "It feels so strange"
Klaus was silent. A million memories had assaulted him the minute they stepped into this house.
"You are nothing to me. You are not my son" Mikael shouted down at him. "You are a useless bastard. Your mother's mistake"
"Father please-" He tried to plead his case.
"I have sheltered you thinking you were my son. But now I have learnt the truth" Mikael seized him and began dragging him out. "Now leave our family in peace"
"You will not evict him father. He is my brother and this house is mine. Grandfather left it to me" Elijah calmly rebutted. " ComeNiklaus"
He was fortunate to have Elijah as his brother. Time after time he defended him against everyone. Thinking of this triggered another unhappy memory
"You are a waste of space Klaus! Why do you think I had all those affairs? Because you're not a real man! I don't love you. I never did. All I wanted was to live a comfortable life. But you were never enough for me" His ex wife Hayley ranted as she showed him their divorce papers. "I have had enough Klaus. Get out"
"You foulmouthed bitch! I tried to love you Hayley. But your affairs ruined everything. Your little tryst with Jackson caused you to miscarry our baby. My daughter. Did you really think I could love you after that? But I stayed with you out of duty-"He was cut off.
"Duty? I would have preferred it if you had left-"Hayley's venomous words were interrupted by Elijah's hand on his shoulder.
"Brother are you all right?" Elijah asked concernedly. Niklaus' face had gone ashen and his eyes looked tormented. "Brother?"
"No need to fret Elijah. I am fine" Klaus brushed off his brother's worries with a half hearted smirk. "Better than you anyway"
Elijah very much doubted that was true. Niklaus had been damaged by Hayley's poisonous words and by the loss of his daughter. Certainly, Elijah felt flashes of grief as he remembered Tatia but he was stronger that Niklaus and could bury that emotion. Guilt, on the other hand, was harder to bury and he felt it rear it's ugly head. He straightened his suit and focused all attention on his appearance. It numbed the pain. It was his fault Tatia had died. And he would never be free of her ghost.
"Now who's deep in thought?" Klaus teased. "We should throw a ball to mark our re arrival. What say you Elijah?"
"If that is what you wish Niklaus" Elijah easily acceded.
A/N Thank you for reading! Please leave feedback if you think I should continue this story.