CAROLINE'S POV:

After telling Stefan the news and him having reacted awfully, just like I'd expected, to finding out I was pregnant with a dead woman and my ex teacher's twins, I'd come back to Whitmore and was curled up in bed. Bonnie had returned and had tried to drag me out with her, but I was tired and feeling dreadful, so had politely declined her offer, and she had chosen not to argue thankfully. Groaning as I turned onto my back as my phone started to ring, I reached onto my nightstand and saw Stefan's caller ID on-screen, his smiling face staring back at me from the photo I'd took of him when things were better, simpler…

STEFAN'S POV:

After talking things through with Damon, I'd decided to ring Caroline and I paced the porch, waiting for her to answer…

"Hi." she spoke as I was about to hang up

"Hey," I greeted her, sighing with relief "I didn't think you were going to answer, not that I blame you after what happened earlier."

"Why're you ringing, Stefan?" she questioned

"Why do you think?" I asked "I want to say I'm sorry."

"Over the phone?" she inquired "Seriously?"

"Caroline, c'mon, this is hard for me…" I admitted

"And why's that, Stefan?" she questioned "Is it because you had the chance of being a father robbed from you before you even knew anything about it? How do I know? Valerie told me, and I know that it was probably hard for you to get your head around and the reason you've been distant, but before anything actually started between us, you would've told me. We were best friends, and we told each other everything. Now…"

"Now what?" I interjected

"Now you're lying to me." she informed me "You're keeping secrets from me and it hurts."

"I kept it a secret from you because I knew you were threatened by Valerie when she showed up and she told you about our history." I admitted "That's the only reason I didn't tell you, Caroline. There's nothing else to it."

"I get that, I do." she replied "But; this isn't working."

"What?" I questioned

"Don't make me say it again, Stefan, please." she begged "I think we both need to accept the fact that we're better off as friends."

"Even if we're in love?" I inquired

"I may be in love with you, but in time, I'll get over it." she informed me "I'll have to."

"And what about me?" I asked "What if I'm in love with you and don't want to get over it?"

"You have to, because us being together just isn't working and is too damn hard." she admitted "Y'know, when you told me how you felt, I was so tempted to turn it back on and maybe I should've done, because maybe if we'd have gotten together then, things would've been easier and simpler and better, but I'm tired, Stefan. I'm tired of having to fight for something I've wanted for so long. It shouldn't have to be like this."

"Then why don't we do something about it?" I suggested

"Such as?" she inquired

"Why don't we disappear? Somewhere where it's just us, where no one else knows us." I replied

"I'm pregnant with Ric's babies, Stefan. As much as I want to, I can't just disappear." she sighed

"So what do we do then?" I asked

"We do the sensible thing and end it." she informed me "Before it gets even messier than it already is."

"I love you, Caroline." I admitted

"I love you too." she mirrored "More than you'll ever know, and I mean that, but I think we have to accept the fact that we were better off as friends."

"Maybe we can get that back someday?" I questioned

"Maybe." she replied "I'd like to, but we need time apart."

"I'll say I agree, even though I don't." I admitted

"Deep down you know we do," she informed me "I'll see you around, Stefan. Take care."

"You too." I replied "Thank you for loving me, Caroline."

"And thank you for loving me." she mirrored

Hate to say it, but I can see this happening…