Chapter three
Caroline awoke with a start. The morning rays creaking through the curtains, splattered across the room making it impossibly warm. She tugged off the sheet from her body and breathed in deeply. She had been dreaming about green jade forests and green haunting eyes. In the distance Caroline could hear her mother's voice and Levi's little chirps of enthusiasm. She wondered what her mother was talking about that it had gotten Levi all chatty in the morning. Levi was a bit like his mother in the sense that they both were not what you would call morning people. Caroline reached for her phone next to her nightstand. Holy hell she had slept nearly the whole morning away. She hadn't realized how tired she actually was the night before. But she had another dilemma the night before and that dilemma went by the name of Stefan Salvatore.
Caroline huffed in annoyance as she pulled herself out of bed. Her childhood room hadn't changed much from the days when she used to stay with here. The walls were painted a warm crème color, a beige princess bed, the one side of her bedroom wall was a montage of photos stuck together. Her and Bonnie baking in home Ed and her and Elena striking a pose as they toured Fell's church.
Caroline pulled out of her duffel bag a pair of denim shorts and a green tank before she snuck into the bathroom across the hall. Instead of taking her usual warm bath, Caroline opted for a cool and easy shower. She didn't want to admit to herself that she was still hot and flustered by her boss's son.
Once Caroline was done she moved off towards the lounge area where she could hear the TV blasting away cartoons. She smiled when she entered the lounge at the sight that greeted her. Levi was lying on the carpet on his stomach his hands cupping and supporting his chin as he stared transfixed at the TV. He must have sensed her presence because he turned and looked around and saw her standing there. A huge grin escaped his lips as he jumped to his feet and ran towards Caroline.
Caroline managed to swoop him up in her arms before he collided into her. He giggled playfully as she swung him around a few times.
"Good morning Mr. Levi." Caroline smiled as she nuzzled him.
"Morning Ma. You slept too long." Levi squirmed in her arms.
Caroline placed him down onto the floor.
"I was really tired." Caroline smiled as she ruffled his hair.
Levi gave her a questioning look before he spoke,
"Daddy was here. But grandma chased him away with her gun."
Caroline went all cold. At that moment Liz entered the lounge and gave Caroline a look that said we have to talk right now.
Caroline nodded before turning to Levi and explaining in the best way she could to a four year old as to why his grandma would be chasing his low life father away.
"So you see they were playing Cops and Robbers." Caroline reasoned, it was the only excuse she could come up with.
Levi pulled his mouth into a frown,
"Why couldn't I play?" He asked rebuked.
"Well next time we'll play okay? How about we go to the dam later before we go back home?" Caroline baited Levi and for once it worked.
Levi was only too happy to forget about Cops and Robbers and trade it in for a trip to the dam. Levi nodded enthusiastically before returning to his spot on the carpet. Caroline followed her mother into the kitchen. Liz was silent as she made them both some coffee.
"Klaus was here?" Caroline decided to break the silence first.
Liz sighed and took a sip of coffee before she spoke.
"Yes he was drunk and making quite a scene. Demanding that Levi comes with him and that it's his turn with him."
Caroline groaned.
"I can't believe him. He's such an idiot." Caroline mumbled.
"Yes well when I told him to get off my property he was threating to file for custody of Levi and how much money he's got and how he will hire the best attorney. I got upset and angry with him and next thing I knew I was pointing the gun at him. Just unfortunate that Levi had to see." Liz sighed.
"Do you think he was being serious about the custody thing? I mean mom I don't earn a lot and he can very well take Levi away from me, especially when it comes to the financial side of things." Caroline chewed her bottom lip nervously.
Klaus did have money. Lots of money. Money that he had inherited from his parents as well as money that he had made with his art gallery.
"He's unfit to look after Levi. And if it comes to a fight we'll manage. We always do, Caroline."
Caroline smiled sadly at her mother. Liz was always determined to do the right thing. Caroline knew that if Klaus did fight for custody, they would lose everything of theirs. Her mother was sheriff of a small town. Her mother doesn't earn the best salary and well Caroline could also barely afford to make rent, food and Levi's schooling fees.
"Maybe I can speak to Giuseppe maybe he can help."
Liz shook her head.
"Caroline this our business we'll sort it out ourselves. I told you we'll manage. Let's not talk about this anymore. You want some pancakes?" Liz asked as she moved towards the fridge.
Caroline knew her mother well enough to know that the case was closed for now. Liz Forbes was a proud woman who hated turning to other people for help. When her husband had left her for another man, Liz was determined not to let it get to her. Caroline could still remember how the kids at school would tease her about her mom being a sheriff. But Caroline grew to love and respect her mother even more. It took guts to be a daily target.
"Since when do you make pancakes?" Caroline asked trying to lighten up the mood.
Liz frowned. She wasn't really a good cook.
"Tell you what, you make the pancakes and I'll bath Levi" Liz offered.
Caroline laughed. Her mother wasn't the best cook in the world.
"Deal." She said as she moved to the stove.
Caroline struggled to open her apartment door. Levi was in her one arm passed out from the adventurous day they had and in the other arm she had her suitcase and keys. When she managed to finally get her door open, she half ran towards the couch and gently placed Levi down. He squirmed a little but soon fell back into a deep sleep. Caroline smiled down lovingly at her son. He was her pride and joy.
They had gone to the Lockwood's dam for the afternoon. Caroline had made herself and Levi a small picnic and they had gone for a small walk among the trees. They took a dip in the dam and then Caroline tried in vain to teach Levi how to skip rocks. But the poor boy was soon defeated and decided rather to splash around.
By the time she had loaded him into the car he had fallen asleep. The rain had come in as they left and she soon drove the small stretch from Mystic Falls to Mystic Hill in silence. Caroline glanced around the apartment with a defeated look. It needed cleaning.
A few of Levi's toys were on the floor, Thursdays nights dishes glared at her from the kitchen sink and not to mention all the paper work that lay on the dining room table. Caroline was able to afford a small two bedroom apartment in a nice enough area of Mystic Hill. The walls were all red brick stone, the lounge and kitchen area were all open plan and she was close enough to all the schools in the area.
Caroline unpacked her things and began spring cleaning. It was about seven in the evening when her doorbell rang. Caroline glanced at her watch and frowned. She had ordered herself and Levi some pizza just in case the little boy decided to wake up with an appetite.
'They can't be here already? She had just ordered from them like ten minutes ago.' Caroline thought.
Caroline lifted herself from the floor and made her way towards the door. She opened the door and was greeted by forest green eyes.
"Stefan?"
