Caroline POV
The time had come for Caroline Forbes, mother to Josie and Lizzie, best friend to Bonnie and sometime lover of Stefan Salvatore to do what was right and even necessary for her. She had raised two beautiful children in conjunction with the kind soul that was Alaric, the aid of Uncle Matt and Aunt Bonnie and now they were the very ones who were telling her to leave. To pursue the love that she had forsaken so long ago. Time had moved on since that fateful moment where just for a second she had allowed herself the liberty to do as she pleased. To love so very deeply and to be loved so equally. She was oddly fearful and excited in equal measure.
She would be going to New Orleans. To Klaus. For the very first time, in thirty years she would see his handsome face with those impossibly blue eyes and that very sexy devilish smirk. Her daughters, how time had flown since those two were toddlers with a penchant for mischief, now stood as adults who had took it upon themselves to send their mother to reclaim her love. Josie, named for Jo with matching brunette hair and Lizzie, her hair gold as her mother's despite no connection by blood, were waiting for her to board the plane to New Orleans. They had procured tickets after coming across a sketch of Caroline by a mysterious man and had then made the relevant inquires to assure their mother's happiness.
"Now, you two be good for your Dad and make sure he takes his medicine on time" Caroline hugged her daughters with a tender ferocity. Alaric had lived a good and happy life, Caroline had taken it upon herself to ensure that, and she herself had been a contented sort of happy. But, now he was in his seventies and she knew soon enough he would die, though she didn't mean it in a morbid sort of way, because he was human.
Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Of course, mom. We're not kids anymore. Hell, Josie has two kids of her own and River is so damn childlike as it is-" She was cut off by Josie who shot her a look.
"And, that's about all I need to know about your nasty ass sex life" Josie glared at Lizzie who was so shameless. Did she really need to bring it up all the time? All the damn time? Hell, she was married and had two kids but she certainly didn't reference it at every opportunity, especially with their mom right there.
Caroline smiled a radiant, contented smile with her flashy white teeth at her daughters, grown-ups they may be but they still bickered like children. "Josie, Lizzie" She stopped the argument before it even began with such a delicate class that had them spellbound since they were truly children. All it took was for her to say their names and they would desist with immediate effect. It was what her daughters' had termed 'The Mom Voice'. "I love you both so much and am so proud of you. And, well, thank you for everything" Caroline pulled both her daughters in for a final hug before stepping back and making her way through security.
She waved at them as she was ushered through, their beautiful faces getting smaller with every step until she was alone. For the very first time in thirty years, she was truly alone and was about to do something that was purely for herself and she was apprehensive. She had heard stories of Klaus and the Mikaelsons but she had not seen or spoken to them since she bid Klaus a final goodbye all those years ago. She knew from Stefan that Klaus had a daughter, Hope, with Hayley Marshall which stung all those years ago and hurt her pride at the time but was no longer a factor. She was going to New Orleans to see Klaus, to maybe take him up on his offer if he would still have her. Over the years, she had missed him. She had missed the way he loved so unconditionally; Stefan had tried but his heart would never be fully hers whilst Ric tried but their love was of a deep friendship and nothing romantic could ever come of it. Klaus had been the only one to capture her heart and keep it.
She stepped on to the plane. She had been awaiting this moment since Klaus had promised to be her last love. She knew deep within her heart that his love for her was true, that he was the only one who could love her, but she had denied herself this opportunity for so long to fulfil the needs of others. Not that she resented raising her daughters, for they were tiny, beautiful miracles, but they and her attachment to Mystic Falls had stopped her living her life on her terms.
"Hello, Gorgeous" Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice she hadn't heard in several years. A voice that belonged to a man last seen in sunny Spain on a breath-taking sandy beach with the clearest blue sea she had ever seen. It was Enzo.
She looked up. He hadn't aged of course for that was an impossibility but his hair was shorter than she remembered and his eyes sparkled with an unmentioned mischief. He looked younger and freer than she had ever seen. "Enzo" She pulled him into a side hug and motioned for him to sit next to her. This was an unexpected delight. "What are you doing here?" Her voice was laced with surprise and her face was lit up like Christmas had come early. "Not that I'm not happy to see you of course" She added.
"A birdie or two may have mentioned that you were going to see bad boy Brit that captured your heart all those years ago and thought you needed a little company" Enzo explained with a cheeky grin and half smile as he looked over at Caroline. She looked a stunner. "So here I am, Gorgeous" He took a breath. Still the same perfume of wild violet with its strong but sexy smell. Her hair was different though, a softer shade of blonde, and cut slightly shorter to frame her face.
Caroline and Enzo settled into a natural conversation; their talk turning to the places that Enzo had visited over the years and the growth of Josie and Lizzie who Enzo maintained were just like their mother in spirit. They had been close friends once upon a time but they were more than that now, they were akin to best friends who had spent too much time apart. Enzo had made a point of visiting Caroline every few years, sending presents from his travels around the world for her and the twins whilst Caroline sent him photos of everything and anything accompanied with captions that always made him chuckle. And, of course there was the time when Enzo claimed to have 'accidentally' met her in Barcelona whilst she was on holiday with Ric and the kids. That had been a truly memorable time for them both, a chance to reconnect and remember their youth, most notably when Enzo insisted on breaking the bones of a man who offended her not unlike when Stefan broke her heart. He was family and so was she.
A/N Thanks for reading! Please do leave constructive criticism!