Chapter 1

Caroline was lying on her favorite hill overlooking her family's plantation as her sister Lexi uprooted flowers to plant closer to home. She had always watched her little sister closely but they were like best friends nowadays. She could see her stepbrothers riding in their direction so she sat up and called for Lexi's attention so she could finish uprooting her current flower; a night blossom similar to the morning glory. She could see her sister having difficulty so she stood and helped her unwrap the vine from the fencepost so Lexi could focus on the roots. They already had the house surrounded in morning glories so it would be a nice touch to add the night blossoms to bloom at night and close just as the morning glories opened.

They had finally freed the vine when Stefan and Damon arrived in front of them and held out their hands to help them up on the horses. Lexi called dibs on riding with Stefan and Caroline couldn't help but grin that they both had the same favorite brother. She remembered when her mother had married Stefan and Damon's father Giuseppe when she was four and a year later Alexis Bronson Salvatore was born; connecting all the siblings together more than their parents' marriage had. Caroline barely remembered her real father anymore but her stepfather had been better to her than she thought he would have been. It had helped that she and Stefan were the same age and Damon was only three years older than them; they had all loved playing together as children until it was time grow up and begin chores.

Neither Stefan nor Damon would tell the girls what news they brought, but insisted they race back so they could arrive faster and hear the news from their parents. Hearing they were racing Caroline actually felt better she would be riding with Damon since he always won the races; either from being a better rider or his horse was faster one. She scrambled up on the horse and held tight on to her older brother while they waited for Lexi to mount behind Stefan. When everyone was secure in their mounts the brothers lined the horses up and bet on their chores before taking off; speeding down the hill towards the house that had been home to them for the past decade. She looked behind her to see Lexi hiding her face in Stefan's back so she wouldn't be afraid and smiled slightly before turning to look over Damon's shoulder; she loved the freeing feeling she had whenever she could ride with her brothers.

Caroline didn't have a death wish but she had always been too adventurous and hyper for her condition. She always had her breathing problems in the back of her mind whenever and wherever she went; not wanting to be a burden on her family further by triggering a breathing attack. She didn't know what she would have done had it not been for Sheila, or Grams as everyone called her; coming up with a solution to stop the attacks when they started. She had also been the one to work with her for years to get most of the function back in her left arm after it had broken, as well as teach her how to write with the other. Every time she thought about her arm she would have mixed feelings ranging from anger and sadness that it had happened to gratitude that it brought her and her stepfather closer. He had made sure she was an educated young woman and Lexi wasn't too far behind in her studies; when most young ladies did not have much education behind them she and Lexi could hold their own against any man around in a discussion.

She was pulled from her thoughts when they reached the house and she smiled before giving Damon a kiss on the cheek for winning the little race. He held onto her as she dismounted before hopping off himself as Stefan and Lexi made their way to the stables. Caroline and Lexi excused themselves to plant the flowers they had collected before meeting with their parents; both hoping to avoid whatever news was to be shared until at least dinner since they would both have to clean up the dirt from the re-planting. They didn't have many vines to position since they hadn't been up on the hill long; having to walk instead of ride had taken a huge chunk out of their free time and Caroline had only gone so Lexi could go. They made quick work of planting the roots and tangling the vines with the morning glories before they went inside to their room and washed the dirt from their hands.

Their father had given them both a knowing look when they scrambled back downstairs before announcing it was time for dinner. They had shared a small triumphant smile with each other when he turned from them before following to the dining table and taking their seats; knowing their father would wait until he had finished eating before telling them the news. Caroline was more curious than her sister since the only news lately she had heard had been Damon's engagement to her friend Elena and their wedding was set for the next week. She was hoping with her 18th birthday coming up it was that she would be allowed to court and Lexi would be able to start attending the balls and festivals with the rest of them since she was 13 now. With her curiosity getting the best of her she ate faster and managed to clear her plate before Giuseppe had; now having to wait for him to finish. She was about to start bouncing in her seat when her stepfather finished and Grams came to take the plates for everyone done; clearing all but her mother's and Lexi's plates.

"Now children… as I had hoped to inform you all before dinner, Elizabeth and I have some news to share. We were going to let it be a surprise, but boys will be boys; Stefan and Damon finding the letter a little while ago." Giuseppe began and Caroline glanced at her brothers to see them glance at each other with a mischievous look. "Elizabeth darling… won't you tell the girls our exciting news?" He offered and Liz looked at the girls with a smile before nodding to her husband.

"Do you remember the Mikaelsons?" She asked and both girls nodded as Caroline felt her mixed emotions coming out to play. "Well… they have finally decided to move here and join our neighborhood. We'll be hosting them until their house is built… and they arrive tomorrow." Elizabeth explained and Caroline felt her stomach drop; she didn't mind most of them, but there was one in particular she didn't want anything to do with. She had always made sure to stay behind when her family would visit them and it was usually Rebekah and Kol to come see them with their parents; occasionally Finn and Elijah.

"In one of the other houses perhaps?" Caroline asked hopefully and her parents shook their heads.

"Sweetie you know those houses are for when all of you are married so you can begin your own families close to home. They'll be staying HERE." Elizabeth explained as she waved her hand out to gesture the house they currently lived in.

"War is brewing Caroline… it is our duty to help our families, friends, and neighbors in such a time. The Mikaelsons are our oldest friends, from before any of you were born and we were living in England. Stefan and Damon's mother, as well as your father, were their friends as well. We all moved here to do our part for the last war… and it's time we stand together again." Giuseppe explained and Caroline fell back against her seat in defeat before sitting back straight.

"I understand the concept of war Father… I wasn't speaking against your decision nor do I question it. Will Rebekah be rooming with Lexi and I?" She asked as she deflected from her parents knowing the reason she was asking.

"Yes… Rebekah will sleep with you girls, as Elijah and Niklaus will share with Stefan and Damon until Damon occupies his own house next week. Kol and Henrik will take one of the guestrooms, as will Mikael and Ester, and Finn and his wife Sage have their own rooms. We will have the extra beds set up by tomorrow so it will not be difficult to room everyone, but I want both of you girls to help everyone get situated. I would ask Stefan and Damon to help them but I will need them with me over the next few days at the town meetings and Damon will be married in a week so he will be extremely busy."

"I understand Father." Caroline replied and dreaded the next day. She knew everyone could tell she didn't want to be the one in charge of settling them in, but she didn't mind the looks she got from her stepfather.

"But I have other news that might cheer you up a little." Giuseppe stated and she turned to look at him again. "You'll be 18 in a couple weeks and we will be hosting a ball to celebrate… and as a gift I have decided that you shall be eligible to court as of the day after your birthday."

"Really?" She asked excitedly and he nodded before continuing.

"However… I want you to keep your options open. I know young Lockwood has had his eye on you and has asked to court you before, but I do not think he is a good match for you. There are others to consider and they have to get my permission before you can enter in a courtship with them."

"Why Father? Tyler is a good man…"

"He may be nice and have an interest in you, but he does not look out for your health as he should if he had genuine feelings for you. He comes from a good family but frankly he does not have the individual qualities needed to start a life with you." Her stepfather explained and she fell back against her seat again. "I do not wish to dishearten you; I just want to make sure you are as healthy as you are happy. I will announce your eligibility at the ball and those who wish to court you can come speak with me one by one in private. But since you are going to be 18 it is high time you become a wife and begin a family of your own, so to get my approval of courtship means they are being watched to make sure they would be a good husband for you."

"Marriage? What if none of them meet your expectations Father?" She asked as she worried whether or not Tyler would pass her stepfather's standards.

"Then we will find other suitors for you. You are not the only one that has come of age… Stefan is old enough he should find a young lady and begin a family as well."

"I just turned 18 last month Father…" Stefan tried to counter but Giuseppe raised his hand to silence him.

"I understand you had feelings for Elena but she has chosen your brother… and I also know that you have always liked spending time with Rebekah Mikaelson. Mikael announced Rebekah's eligibility a couple months ago when she turned 17… she will be an option for you when she arrives."

"But I see Rebekah as a friend Father… she's like Caroline and Lexi; fun and smart so of course I enjoy her company." Stefan countered and Caroline watched their father raise his hand again.

"Friendship is a good ground to start on son… Elizabeth and I were friends and it didn't mean we didn't love our first spouses, but the friendship we had grew to love when we lost them. Just consider the option when she arrives and see if you can see yourself having a family with her." He explained and Stefan nodded in understanding before turning back in front of him to stare at the tabletop. When Caroline saw Giuseppe turn to look at her again she knew she wouldn't like what he was going to say. "The Mikaelsons have two sons eligible for you Caroline to consider as well; Elijah and Niklaus. Now I know Elijah has a good age distance from you and you have had your quarrels with Niklaus but they have both grown into fine young men."

"I like Tyler Father…"

"I know you do Caroline but if he cannot even remember that certain flowers bring on difficulties in your breathing then how will he remember your breathing when it comes time to have children or for any trips you decide to take?"

"It takes time Father… and I'm sure he would know if given the chance to learn." She answered hopeful it would earn Tyler some points. She had been counting on her eligibility to court allowing her to be with Tyler and explore the friendship they had, but it didn't look like either of her parents were planning on letting her. She pulled away from the conversation after her stepfather gave a dismissive response; she knew he doubted Tyler, but she didn't know anyone else that would actually have an interest in her. No one wanted a wife that had breathing difficulties and still had trouble using an arm after breaking it over a decade before; not to mention the education her stepfather had given her warded off many men since it wasn't often a woman knew about things like a man did.

Not much later they were dismissed from the table and she helped Lexi prepare for bed before she got herself ready for bed. The air had turned cooler at night so she bundled her sister up in an extra blanket before wrapping one around herself so she could open the window. She leaned over the windowsill and smiled at the sight of the night blossoms open in the moonlight before looking up to the moon itself. She couldn't see any clouds in the sky yet but she knew it would rain sometime tomorrow since her arm was hurting a little in some areas and numb in others. Closing the window back and securing it shut she turned and snuffed the candle out before lying down next to her sister and going to sleep.

Klaus POV…

Klaus looked up at the sky above them from his horse before looking back at his family on their route to the Salvatore's plantation. He could see his mother, sister, sister-n-law, and youngest brother asleep in the wagon and the rest of his family on their horses and couldn't fathom why they hadn't stopped at an inn for the night. He knew his parents had wanted out of Virginia sooner rather than later with the threat of war brewing over their heads, but they hadn't stopped but a couple times since they had begun their traveling and they had already crossed the South Carolina border. By his calculations they would reach the plantation by midday the next day at the pace they were moving. He didn't know whether he should be relieved or dread their arrival since he hadn't been there before and he knew there was one individual in particular that wouldn't be very welcoming to him at least.

He couldn't blame her though; not really. She had given him kindness and friendship and in return he had given her pain and suffering; they may have been children at the time but she could always hold a grudge and he still regret his actions. The only thing that made the situation better was when her parents, brothers, and sister would visit and they unknowingly updated him on her improving recovery. He remembered when the doctor had said she may not use her arm again and it had been a miracle she had kept it to begin with; not to mention get hurt a lot worse than she had in the fall. Yet over time she had started getting the feeling and mobility back in her arm, and the move to South Caroline had helped her breathing. He would never admit it, but he still had nightmares of hearing her screams and cries when her arm had shattered.

She hadn't left her room in months when he had been able to see her again and she had barely said a word; least of all to him until he had caught her alone. But remembering her trying to cut up and eat her food at dinner with one hand that evening had to be one of the guiltiest moments in his life. She had done alright until it came to the meat since it slid around when she tried to cut it; snapping that she wasn't a baby when her mother offered to cut it for her. She gave up soon and asked to be excused before retreating to her room again and he could see she had been trying not to cry during the incident. And then later he had sought her out to apologize and she had ignored him until he had laid a hand on her shoulder; yelling at him to leave her alone.

He had went to her house repeatedly after that evening to try and make up the friendship they had, but she held her ground and kept to herself or helping with little Lexi. He had watched her play with the nearly 2 year old toddler and pick her up with her good arm constantly; and every time she had been scolded for her attempts. Nobody had wanted to risk her falling with her sister and possibly hurting either of them, nor did they want her to cause her breathing to act up. And by the time winter came that year they had all moved away; with everyone but Caroline coming back to visit. He had often considering going with his parents to visit, but he didn't think it would make it any easier on either of them so he stayed.

It hadn't all been bad since the Salvatores had moved away; he had went on with his life, but kept her memory with him. When he had hit 16 he had met a girl that he thought could help him forget, but she had made is life worse by betraying him with Elijah; and then betraying them both with another local and having that man's child out of wedlock. It had strained his and Elijah's bond as brothers but they were finally beginning to get past it and be as they were. With his father a lawyer he and his older brothers had taken to law like him, but he often wished he could be an artist instead since he loved to draw and paint; his family's home had even had some of his work hanging in it and they were bringing it with them.

His thoughts once again drifted to Caroline as he wondered what she looked like now as she neared her 18th birthday; the last time he had seen her being when she was 7 and he 9. He often heard how beautiful she had grown to be from his family and had wished he knew; he doubted it was untrue since he had found her beautiful when they were younger. But the downside to that would be she would have plenty of men lined up to court her when Giuseppe announced her eligibility on her birthday; already been given the news since he and Elijah were near her age. He remembers the talk he had with Elijah regarding Caroline and was glad he wouldn't have to go against his brother when the time came; Elijah knowing how Klaus had always been closer to her before the accident. But it still left other men he would have to go against that she knew and he had their past against him; even if Giuseppe and Elizabeth had learned to forgive him long ago. He was just thankful he would have a couple weeks to consider the idea and if courting her was what he would want before she became eligible. Feeling the fatigue of the journey and their upcoming arrival weighing on him he slowed his horse until he was beside the wagon and tied him up before climbing over to the wagon to get some sleep himself.