"Sweetheart, we're out of milk. Could you run to the store and get some?"
"Mom, it's Christmas Eve. The only open store is thirty minutes away. Do we really need it?"
"We can't give Santa cookies with no milk." Liz said with a smile.
Caroline smiled back at her mom, knowing she'd drive anywhere if it made her mom happy. "I'll be back."
"Thank you, sweetie."
Liz, of course had an ulterior motive for wanting her daughter out if the house. Within minutes after Caroline's car pulled out if the driveway Stefan, Elena, and the rest of the gang piled into the Forbes' house.
"Thank you guys for doing this." Liz said greeting them. "You can put any food on the table and Stefan, Elena, Liv why don't you guys start putting up some decorations."
"Yeah, what's with the one barely decorated tree? That's not really Caroline." Elena asked.
"She hasn't really been in the Christmas spirit. That's why I didn't want her to know until after…"
"We're glad we can help." Stefan said
Liz nodded. "We don't have much time. She'll be back soon."
With vamp speed and witch powers at work the house was decorated, inside and out, with five minutes to spare.
"Mom?" Caroline asked walking into the hallway now lit by Christmas lights. "Mom, what is going on?"
She froze when she walked into the living room to see her friends surrounding the Christmas tree.
"Surprise!" everyone said at once.
"What is this?"
"I thought you could use a little Christmas cheer." Liz said. "Now, come on everyone, dinner will be getting cold."
After dinner Liz turned on Christmas music and everyone stood around telling stories of Christmas' past. Caroline was reminiscing with her mom and Elena when Stefan came up behind her.
"Mind if I steal you for a second?"
"Uh, okay."
Stefan lead Caroline into her room. He sat down on her bed and pulled her down next to him. He reached under her pillow and pulled out a small silver wrapped package.
"What's this?" she asked surprised.
Stefan shrugged. "I wanted a do over."
"Stefan…"
"Here, open it."
Caroline carefully unwrapped her gift to find a small box. Gently, she took the lid off. Inside was a tiny bracelet that looked older than Stefan, but was very lovely.
"It's beautiful." she said looking up at him.
"It was my mom's."
"Stefan, you didn't have to give this to me…"
"No, don't be silly. She'd want you to have it. She'd love you, Caroline."
Caroline smiled at the thought. "Care to help me put it on?"
Stefan took it out of the box and placed it on her wrist.
"Thank you. I guess I should give you your gift." she hopped off her bed and pulled a gift bag out of her closet. She handed it over to Stefan.
He took out the tissue paper and pulled his present from the bag. "A snow globe?" he laughed.
"Not just a snow globe. It has our picture in it." she smiled as he shook the snow around the picture of them from prom.
He sat the snow globe on her nightstand and stood up. He held his hand out to her. "Dance with me?"
Blushing, she took his hand and let him pull her into him.
Liv, who was looking for the restroom, pasted Caroline's room. Sparing a little magic she concentrated on the spot above them. In seconds mistletoe appeared out of no where. She cleared her throat and pointed up before leaving them alone.
Stefan and Caroline looked up and then back at each other. They both had a shy smile on their face. Caroline closed her eyes as Stefan brushed her cheek with his thumb. She felt his soft lips touch hers. It wasn't a long kiss, but it was just enough.
"Merry Christmas, Caroline." he whispered.