Hey :) Here's chapter 3, it's a bit longer than the others. There's insight into Clare, Melody and Valerie's pasts and why they're bitter towards there siblings. Tell me what you think! I'd really like some feedback so I know if anybody is liking my story. What do you think of the four girls? Which girl is your favorite so far? Any questions? Sorry if there is any mistakes. Please review, so I know if I should keep going. I'd really like to hear your thoughts.

Somebody mentioned confusion from me switching from characters so I edited and made sure to put the names each time I switched. :) Hope that helps.


Chapter three: Coming Home


Lila

Lila and Kol were in an alley behind a diner a town over from Mystic Falls, draining their waiter of blood. Neither had appreciated his advances on Lila so they lured him out back and tore into his flesh. Once dead, Kol chucked him away from them in disgust, still angered by his flirtatious behavior. After wiping the blood off their mouths they went to the front to find the others waiting by the cars.

Clare ran back into the diner, mumbling some nonsense about pie and her sister followed her, rolling her eyes at the girl. Lila noticed a young women walking to her car and smiled as a fantastic idea stuck her mind. She exchanged a glance with Kol, giving him a wicked smile and he immediately caught on, returning her smile easily. They would need to make a grand entrance when they made it home and what better way to make a statement than to prey on some humans?

She sped to the girl, clamping her hand down on her shoulder as her eyes dilated. "Hello, there. Be a good girl and don't make a sound until I say otherwise." She compelled her, flashing back with the human in hand before she stuffed the women inside her trunk.

"Seriously?" Valerie lifted an eyebrow, trying to hide her amusement with a look of disapproval.

Henry remained impassive, not commenting on the kidnapping. Lila figured he was probably use to this kind of thing by now. He'd been with them the longest and knew them far to well. He glanced at Lila, his deep blue eyes settling on her similar ones. "Where are we all going to stay? Do you plan to stay with your siblings or find our own place?"

She shrugged her shoulders, looking unconcerned. "Not sure yet. It depends on how the family reunion goes. What about you? Are you staying with us or Vally?"

"I'd rather have my own place for now but I may stay with you and Kol in the future. Why don't I set up a house in Mystic Falls so if any of you need to escape your siblings you have a place to go? I was looking online and found a five bedroom three bath for sale. It'll give me something to do."

Valerie walked towards Henry, perching on the edge of the Ferrari. "Good idea, Hen. Do you plan to reveal yourself and what you are, or stay hidden?"

"Don't know. I planned to just wing it." Henry told her. Clare ran out of the diner with her blonde hair flying behind her as she cradled a pie in her arms like it was a baby. Lila grinned at the girl, finding her as amusing as always.

"Ready!" Clare chirped, climbing in the back of the Ferrari. Lila waved at them before she walked to the driver's side of the Gallardo. Kol snatched the keys from Lila's hand, dangling them in the air, several inches above her head. She scowled in annoyance when she couldn't reach them and jumped up and down, her hand on his shoulder for balance. Due to him being ten inches taller than her, she failed to retrieve the keys, much to his delight. If he were anyone else, she would throw them to the pavement and made them pay for teasing her but it's Kol so she merely glared. He chuckled at her, grabbing her face between his hands and squishing her cheeks. He planted a loud smacking kiss on her forehead, causing her annoyance to melt away and a small smile form on her lips at his playfulness. "I'm driving, darling. Get in."

She pouted but obeyed, and soon they were off, heading towards Mystic Falls. "Ready to turn Mystic Falls into our playground?" He asked with a charming smirk.

She grinned at the thought of all they could do to the town. The possibilities were endless and she always did have a vivid imagination. "I'm always ready for chaos but we should go over the list of people we should try to avoid killing. I'm still fairly new to this whole friend concept but from what I've gathered, killing loved ones is a big no-no." She told him with a sigh, looking completely put out by the idea.

"The Salvatores and Gilberts, I presume?" Kol frowned, obviously displeased with the growing list of people off-limits.

"Yes. Clary, Mel and Val may be mad at them but it would be unwise to kill their siblings unless they state otherwise. That's only four people, Kol. I think we can refrain from tearing four hearts out. Besides, anyone else is fair game and although we can't kill them, if they cross us there are things far worse than death." Lila grinned, her deep blue eyes sparkling in mischief. He smiled fondly at her, grabbing one of her hands in his own and running his thumb in soft circles over her knuckles.

"I'll try not to kill them." Kol answered, earning a small smile from his sister. She loved that he never promised something he wasn't sure he could keep, no matter how small. He knew her better than anyone and understood that broken promises were a form of rejection in her eyes. If someone breaks a promise to you, it means they don't love you so he did what he always does when unsure if he can keep his word and promised to try; that way if he did kill them, no harm done. Unlike her other siblings, he was honest with her and if he promised something, he never broke his word. "I don't know why they need them alive, though. They have us and we're stunning." Kol added cockily.

She giggled and hummed in agreement. "Of course we are, sugar. But don't we feel the same way about our family? We may hate them right now but we don't want anybody to kill them. They're ours and ours alone to do as we please with."

He paused for a moment, seeming to consider it before parking the car a few blocks away from the Mikaelson Mansion. He reached out and picked her up by the waist, pulling her into his lap sideways, with her back against the door. "You're right, darling. Nobody can hurt them but us."

"Mhmm." She rested her head in the crook of his neck, closing her eyes as she breathed in his lovely scent. She ran the tips of her fingers through his hair while he rubbed circles up and down her spine. They remained in a content silence, just enjoying each others presence. Kol wasn't an affectionate person except when it came to Lila. They had the ability to calm one another and give each other a sense of peace they hadn't truly felt since they were human and he always found himself craving that. Lila on the other hand, was always a cuddly person from the time she was little. She'd always craved affection but only by those who were family or those she considered family. She hated being touched by other people, and was known to respond violently to outsiders. The exception to that rule being Clare, the girl had quickly invaded her space upon meeting her, but Lila hadn't been able to find it in herself to respond violently. Maybe because the girl reminded her of her human self a bit or maybe she sensed how important Clare would become to her.

Lila nuzzled Kol's neck while he buried his face in her hair, both comforted by each others scent. Time seemed to stand still when they were together and Lila felt that when in the arms of Kol, she became whole.

A tap on the window interrupted their moment and Kol let out an angry snarl. He opened the door, climbing out of the car with Lila cradled in his arms. He slammed the door shut with his hip, raising an eyebrow at Henry who seemed to be hiding a smile.

"What do you need me to do?" Henry asked, pulling out a cigarette, lighting it up and taking a long drag. He always seemed to smoke when he was stressed, a habit he had picked up decades ago.

Lila tugged on Kol's sleeve tilting her head at him. He got the hint and after leaning his forehead against hers and sulking for a moment he set her on her feet. "You'll go in when we're sure the coast is clear. We'll distract them and you'll have to cast a spell so you won't be heard. Find the daggers and get out. I'm sure Nik stashed them either in his bedroom or painting room, if not you'll have to do a location spell on them. Find them and send a text when you're done." Lila instructed, as she yanked the shaking girl out of the trunk. "Once we have them we can do whatever we want without fear of retaliation but when Niklaus learns of this he will be looking for them and he'll have a witch doing a location spell. Try to destroy them beforehand."

"Copy that. Even if I can't deactivate them I'll make sure no other witch can find them. I'm stronger than any witch he has at his service."

With a grateful nod the vampire duo sped to the mansion with their prisoner and suitcases in hand, using their hearing to get a gist of what was going on inside.

"Niklaus lost Lila and Kol a century ago, mother." They hear Finn say, sounding pleased to tattle on his brother. Huh. Her bitch of a mother was back from the dead. Interesting development.

Kol nodded to Lila. Show time.

They toss their suit cases on the porch before sinking their teeth into the human's neck, draining her within an inch of her life. Lila hummed in satisfaction, blood dribbling down her chin. She should of kidnapped more than one human. They were both always into mass feeding.

"You can talk now." Kol compelled the human before he hurled her through a window, shattering it into tiny pieces as she landed at Elijah's feet. The girl screamed bloody murder, her sobs echoing throughout the mansion. They saw their sibling's instantly grow alert, looking around for a threat. Kol linked his arm through Lila's and they strutted into the room revealing themselves to their family with sarcastic smirks plastered on their lips.

"Honey, we're home!" Lila exclaimed gleefully, taking in her siblings shocked faces with a giggle. She glanced at the hysterical human and her broken arm, bent at an awkward angle. "Kol, darling, it appears you didn't throw her hard enough. She's still making all that racket."

"Lily." Elijah said, his eyes softening at the sight of her. He looked at the blood on her chin to the women at his feet with a frown, sending Kol a nasty look. Lila resisted the urge to growl at her brother, annoyed by the fact that Kol was always blamed for her less than acceptable behavior. She truly didn't get it. She may be the youngest but she's been alive for a thousand years, as well. She could make her own damn decisions.

"Welcome home, my children. Now that you are all here we can be a family again." Their mother gave them a strained smile, looking a bit disturbed. Lila sent her a detached glance, barely acknowledging her back from the dead mother. Kol merely lifted an eyebrow at her, seeming almost amused. Niklaus took a step towards his siblings, his expression one mixed of rage and relief. Rebekah looked at Lila with a guilty and apologetic expression but Lila remained indifferent towards her family, not caring or seeking an apology.

"A-are you going to k-kill me?" The human cried, scooting back until she was behind Elijah.

"Eventually. You see, doll, my dear brother and I like to toy with our food." She smiled pleasantly, taking a step in Elijah's direction, her eyes zeroed in on her prey. "I'm feeling a bit peckish though so maybe I'll do you a favor and end your miserable existence quickly." Lila told her casually, pushing Elijah out of the way as she grabbed the girl by her hair. She flung her to Kol, who easily caught and held her by the neck, squeezing tightly.

Elijah seemed to come out of his daze, a scrutinizing look spreading across his features as he slowly approached his sister. "Lily, what is the meaning of this?" He asked, his voice taking on a steely edge as he shot Kol an accusing look.

She laughed like his question was the funniest thing before speeding to Kol and running the tip of her finger down the girl's neck. "What's the meaning of this? That's easy Elijah. I'm simply keeping myself amused. Surly, you haven't grown so dull in my absence that you forgot the meaning of fun."

With that they roughly and messily tore into the girl's throat, relishing in her screams of terror. Lila snapped her neck, irritated by how high pitched she was. "Good grief. I feel we've done a good deed, brother. She was quite annoying." Lila said in distaste, shoving the dead girl onto the floor with a crinkled nose.

Kol snorted in amusement, throwing his arm over her shoulder and pulling her into his side with a proud grin on his face. Niklaus looked slightly amused, Rebekah seemed not to care, too happy to finally have her siblings back and Finn looked to his sister in complete shock, not having seen her for 900 years. His face showed his disbelief over what she'd become and he struggled to come up with words. Elijah looked away, disappointment clouding his features. At one time Lila would have been beside herself that she had upset her big brothers, but now? She didn't feel a thing.

"Well, that's one way to make an entrance. I see you both still have a knack for the dramatics." Niklaus stated, staring at his youngest sister with an inscrutable expression.

"I'm glad you've both come home." Elijah told them sincerely, looking at his sister sadly.

"Yes, welcome home." Finn muttered, looking quite troubled.

"Where the bloody hell have you two been? I've been searching all over the globe for an entire century!" Niklaus finally exploded, turning back to his default emotion; anger.

Lila tilted her head at him, a smug grin appearing on her lips before she brought her gaze back to Kol, sharing a look that clearly showed the others they had no intentions of answering.

Rebekah was looking to them in confusion and giddiness. "Why are you here?" She finally blurted out.

Kol gasped in mock hurt, placing his hand over his heart. "I'm offended! Did you not miss us, dear sister?"

"Of course I bloody missed you! I only meant, after running for all this time; why have you returned to us? What are you here for? Have you come for revenge?" Rebekah asked, suspiciously.

"You think we have ulterior motives for being here? I'm terribly shocked at this accusation, sister! Is it so hard to believe we missed our family?" Lila asked; a look of fake offense plastered on her face.

Rebekah seemed to be considering her next words carefully before Lila and Kol exchanged glances, breaking into a fit of snickers. "I'm sorry, really. It's just the thought of coming back for you lot, is rather hilarious." Lila giggled, leaning into Kol as she tried to contain herself. Her siblings all looked deeply offended, which only proved to further amuse the pair.

Lila's phone beeped, alerting her of a message, she took it out quickly, seeing that Henry had succeeded in taking the daggers and was off the premises. Kol looked to his sister with questioning eyes and she smirked, nodding her head in confirmation.

Klaus, noticing their triumphant faces, narrowed his eyes. "What have you done?"

"We've done absolutely nothing, brother." Kol said, faking an innocent expression that mirrored his sisters. "Still as paranoid as ever I see." He tsked, disappearing for a second before reappearing with two suit cases. "Kalilah, my darling, let's settle in, shall we? I'm sure these traitors can entertain themselves for the rest of the evening."

Her tough demeanor instantly softened as she looked to her brother, nodding her head in agreement.

"Don't miss us too much." Kol smirked sardonically at his siblings before the two disappeared from sight.


Present-Gilbert House

Melody

Melody walked quietly into her house with Clare and Valerie behind her. Last night when Elena was gone she and Clare had invited Lila, Kol and Valerie into the house and then left for the night to stay with Henry and Valerie. They'd wanted one more night to decide their cover story. It was already decided they would pretend not to know Lila and Kol but they hadn't decided whether to keep Valerie's connection to them private. In the end they concluded there wouldn't be much of an advantage in keeping it a secret as the Gilberts and Salvatore's were all on the same side.

"It was their mother Esther who was sealed in that coffin." They heard Elena state.

"As in the original witch?" Stefan asked.

"What? How is she even alive? I thought her hybrid freak show of a son ripped her heart out a thousand years ago." Damon groaned. Melody glanced at Clare and Valerie, shocked by not only the fact that their friend's mother was alive but that the vampires hadn't heard them. Sure living with vampires had made them learn to be nearly silent but they still should have been alerted. The Salvatore brothers were clearly horrible vampires.

"I don't know. I'm guessing she has a couple of connections in the witching community. Elijah said that she wants to live in peace with her family, including Klaus."

"She was supposed to be the weapon to help us kill Klaus"

"Yeah, well, not anymore. At least, not according to Elijah." Elena said.

"That coffin was the only thing stopping Klaus from tearing us to shreds." Stefan said unhappily.

"Anyone else feeling a little used right now?"

"Look, Elijah promised me that his family wouldn't hurt any of us. I believe him." Elena said, causing all three girls to grin at her naivety. Elijah may try but he can't control his entire family, they've learned enough about them to know that much.

Clare jumped around the corner, causing Stefan and Damon to jump to their feet with startled looks on their faces. "You know, of all the dumbass things you've done, messing with originals has to be at the top of your list." Clare scolded a mischievous smile plastered on her face.

"Who the hell are you?" Damon demanded, taking a threatening step towards the girl.

Melody walked into the kitchen next, her eyes narrowed on Damon. "Take another step and I'll stake you, Salvatore." She threatened, looking at her twin sister in disapproval.

"Mel, Clare. You're back." Elena gasped, standing from her seat and looking at them with her big doe eyes.

"Who are they?" Stefan asked, turning to Elena with questioning eyes. He looked at Melody intensely, obviously noticing the resemblance. They looked similar but completely different at the same time.

"Melody is my twin sister and Clare our little sister." Elena told them, looking down sheepishly when the brothers gap at her in surprise.

"I'm Clarabelle Gilbert. Pleasure to meet you, broodiest Salvatore." Clare said cheekily before turning to Damon with a curl of her lip. "Not a pleasure to meet you, pea-brained Salvatore."

"Pea-brained Salvatore?" Damon asked, glaring at the girl in mild offense. His defensive posture relaxed as he took in the both of them. Melody may resemble Elena and Jeremy but Clare certainly didn't. She took after their Aunt Jenna more than any of them but even that was slight.

"How do you know who we are? How do you know about the originals?" Stefan asked, his eyes finally leaving Valerie to pin to her. As he looked to her in curiosity, she found herself squirming under his intense gaze. She felt as if he was trying to peep inside her soul or something and she wasn't use to people showing any sort of interest in her, not with her twin around.

Elena walked towards her sisters, her eyes teary and a big smile forming on her lips. "I'm so glad your home. I've tried calling but neither of you would answer." She said sadly, not yet grasping that they knew about the supernatural.

Clare rolled her eyes and raised her palm, slapping her eldest sister with all her might. The smack echoed across the room and Elena staggered back, holding her reddened cheek in complete shock. Damon growled, and exchanged a look with Elena but she shook her head at him. "That's for having your boy-toys compel our brother, again. You ever do it again and you'll wake up with their hearts on your pillow." Clare said cheerfully, plopping down opposite of Stefan without missing a beat. Stefan glanced at the girl in mild amusement, eying the girl like she was some strange creature. Clare lifted her eyebrows at him, leaning against the counter. "We know about you Mr. Broody because we were never in Denver. We were chilling with this awesome vampire for a year. Good times." Clare said casually, grabbing a fork and digging into her pie.

"What?!" Elena screeched, looking to Melody in outrage. Her happiness of them coming home soon turned into awareness. Seemed she was finally catching up.

Melody sighed in annoyance. "Oh, calm down you hypocrite. You can date multiple vampires but we can't have vampire friends?" Melody shook her head. "You're unbelievable. And Clare is right. Although smacking you may have been uncalled for, you will never mess with our brother's head again."

"I was trying to pro…

"SAVE IT LENA." Clare yelled, her voice slightly muffled by her mouth full of pie. She rolled her eyes in irritation and began stabbing her pie aggressively. "I think it's time for the next grand entrance." Clare exclaimed, making a drum roll on the counter. "Ladies and gentlemen, presenting our vampire friend who-is-so-much-cooler-than-Elena's-vampy-sex-slaves; Valerie Salvatore!"

With that Valerie strolled into the kitchen, giving her brothers an intense glare. "Brothers, I see history is repeating itself. Just can't get enough of them dopplewhores, can you?"

"Valerie." Stefan and Damon said, wide eyed and jaws slacked. Melody noticed the first trace of emotion come from Stefan since she had walked into the kitchen besides curiosity at her and amusement at Clare's behavior. He looked to his sister in disbelief, blinking a few times to assure she was really there.

"In my sister defense, according to our sources, she's hasn't banged pea-brain. She's just having feelings for him while she's dating his brother. It's more of an emotional affair, really. She's not a dopplewhore till they get freaky." Clare stated, speaking her mind as always. Melody muffled her laugh with a cough, grinning at her baby sister fondly.

"What...how…" Damon looked between the three girls, confusion and guilt evident on his face.

"Did you miss me, brothers?" Valerie asked, glaring at Elena in hostility. Melody watched as her twin nearly shrank back by the intense hatred the female Salvatore was sending her way and almost felt bad for her twin. She was already Valerie's enemy based on her face alone. Well her face and relationship choices. She shook off her sympathy, reminding herself how angry she was at her twin. She wouldn't feel bad for her. Damon stepped in front of Elena, causing Valerie to smile bitterly. Melody wanted to smack the eldest Salvatore for continuously causing her best friend pain. Even after not having seen her for so long, he was still more concerned about Elena. She found herself already liking the younger Salvatore much more even if he was without his humanity.

Stefan's eyes watered as he looked at his little sister, pain and regret oozing out of him. He looked like he wanted to hug her but was afraid of her reaction. "Val, I'm…"

A knock at the door interrupted their reunion and Elena reluctantly went to the door and opened it. She looked around until she saw an envelope with her name on it. She picked it up and opened the invitation as the Salvatores and Gilberts trailed behind her.

"What is it?" Damon asked, watching his fuming sister out of the corner of his eye.

"It's an invitation." She said, opening it and reading it. "Please join the Mikaelson family this evening at seven o'clock for dancing, cocktails, and celebration."

"Who the hell are the Mikaelsons?"

"The original family" Elena informed, making Valerie roll her eyes at her voice alone.

"It's not bad enough they're moving into town. Now they want a housewarming gift?" Damon said sarcastically.

"If that's what they want you'd be smart to do it, pea-brain. You may be an old man but these are the oldest vampires in history. Your lack of respect is going to get not only you killed but my sister as well. Learn some self-preservation, will ya?" Clare sassed in annoyance, pursing her lips at the vampire.

"Okay, what's the midgets problem?" Damon asked Elena, earning a growl from said midget. Melody grinned, watching as smoke practically steamed from her sisters ears.

"My problem you asshat, is that you've compelled my brother twice, turned his girlfriend into a vampire, snapped his neck, abused Caroline and feed my sister blood against her will! You're a shitty person. Why wouldn't I hate you?" Clare hissed at him, her small fists clenching as she obviously fought back the urge to pounce on the vampire. Damon looked at the girl in annoyance, seeming to not find her reasons sufficient.

"How do you know all that?" Stefan asked in confusion, his momentarily lapse of humanity carefully covered up.

"That would be me. I may hate you both but I've kept tabs over the years. Know thy enemy and all that jazz." Valerie shrugged nonchalantly. "When I met these wonderful ladies, I started keeping tabs on their siblings as well." She said him, telling only half the truth. While it may be true she's kept tabs on her brothers, her sources weren't that good. Kol is the one who has gathered the most information about the happenings in Mystic Falls. "We know everything; from the originals, the deaths, and the sacrifice all the way down to your pathetic love triangle."

Damon glared at his sister, opening his mouth to no doubt defend her twin when said twin intervened, changing the subject. Stefan my have regained his emotionless mask, but he continued to stare at his sister, even when talking to the others. He seemed scared to look away in fear she would disappear. If Melody hadn't been aware that it had been decades since either had seen their sister, she would find the staring a bit creepy.

"Wait. There's a note on the back…" Elena said, reading it to them. "Elena, I think it's time we finally meet. Esther"

"She probably needs you for something. Being the doppleganger and all." Clare said, her feet bouncing as they always did when she was bored or restless.

"If Esther wants to talk to me, maybe I should find out why." Elena reasoned.

Damon frowned. "Well, that's a dumb idea. She already tried to kill you once."

"No, Elena's right. Bonnie was led to open that coffin for a reason. I think there's more to this than just some family reunion." Stefan said, leaning against the wall.

"Let her go. If she's not worried for her life, why should you be?" Valerie asked, earning a look from Damon before he posed Stefan with a question in an obvious attempt to guilt him.

"Can we go back in time to the old Stefan who cared if Elena lived or died?"

Elena looked at the floor sadly but Stefan didn't seem phased.

"What for? That's your job now." Stefan said, emotionlessly. He inched closer to his sister, his eyes once again following her every move. Melody could see how important she was to him and decided she would make it her mission for them to mend their broken relationship. She didn't care about her relationship with Damon; he obviously cared too much for her twin to ever be a good brother. All he cared about was Elena and there was really no room for anybody else.

"Stefan has a point, Damon. I should find out what she wants."

Melody glanced at her sister, wondering when this martyr stuff started. It wasn't surprising to her in the least. She could see her sister wasn't the shallow girl she was before their parents died but she could still see she liked to make the world about her. By being a martyr, all her friends gathered around, constantly trying to save her. Being selfless to the point of stupidity inspired dedication and loyalty from them and it made them all ready to lay their lives down for her. She could definitely see her twin was a better person than she was before she left but she still had some annoying personality traits and couldn't admit to her faults. She definitely liked this Elena better than the one she was before, but her twin obviously needed a reality check and she was fully prepared to give her just that.

"You can't protect yourself." Damon shot back.

"Ok, fine. Then I'll go." Stefan said.

"You pissed off enough originals to last a lifetime. I'll go." Damon declared.

"Hey!" Elena protests when he snatched the invite from her hands.

"End of story." Damon ordered before leaving them.

"Let's go get settled in, Lola." Clare smiled at her giving her a pointed look. Melody knew she meant she wanted to get ready for the ball. She nodded and glanced at Elena who was once again giving them doe eyes. It would take a lot more than that to earn their forgiveness. "Valerie is staying the night, Lena. We're going to my room." She told her, sparing a look at Stefan before grabbing Valerie and Clare's hands and dragging them upstairs. It was time to get ready. Hopefully tonight wouldn't end in blood shed.


Past—Mystic Falls-September 25, 1864

Valerie

Valerie sat on her couch across from the young man she was courting. She had just reached her 17th year six days ago and her father was pushing her towards marriage. She was indeed in love with Samuel, which she had yet to tell him, but she didn't feel the urgency her father did for her to be wed. Valerie didn't want a loveless marriage and she wished for him to love her as she did him.

Samuel took a deep breath, his hands shaky as he got on one knee. Valerie's eyes widen in joy as she accepted his hand in hers. "Valerie Salvatore, I love you more than words could ever describe. I have never meet a lady as beautiful or as kind as you. You make me laugh on the dreariest of days and you're the first and last thing I think of every single day. I offer to love you, to cherish you and to provide for you and our future children to the best of my ability, for the rest of my days. Would you do me the honors of becoming my wife?"

Valerie beamed, a happy tear falling down her cheek. "Yes, Samuel. I love you too. It would be my honor to call myself your wife."

He slid a ring on her finger before standing and she threw her arms around his neck, laughing in complete glee. He spun her around before placing a chaste kiss on her lips. "I love you so much, Valerie Salvatore."

"What's going on here?" A strained voice asked, interrupting the happy couple from their moment.

Valerie turned around to see her big brother Stefan in the doorway. Stefan was only 10 months older than she, so they were always close growing up.

"Stef! I'm getting married!" She exclaimed, her forest green eyes seeking his identical ones.

"I'm sorry, Val. I'm so so sorry." He said, spider veins crawling underneath his eyes.

"Val!" Samuel yelped in terror, pulling her behind him protectively. She let out a scream of fright as her brother grabbed Samuel and bit into his neck before tossing his body into the nearest wall. She shrieked as she saw the angle of his neck and backed away from her big brother she once trusted with all her being.

"Stefan?" She asked shakily, her heart pounding in her ears.

"I can't lose you, sis." Stefan told her, biting into his wrist and shoving it to her mouth. She clawed at his hand in alarm, her body trembling against his. "Shh. It's okay sis. The three of us are going to be together forever. I won't be alone and neither will you." He told her, a hint of mania in his eyes. Her last thought before he snapped her neck and blackness took over, was of her lost love Samuel and the life she always dreamed of being stripped away before her very eyes.

Past-1870-New York

Valerie

Valerie had been living with her eldest brother Damon for six years now, adjusting to being a vampire. After Stefan's betrayal she couldn't even look at him. He killed the love of her life and turned her into a monster without even asking if she wanted this. She didn't know if she would ever be able to forgive him for what had taken place that night. He had also killed their father, something she wasn't pleased about but could have gotten over if it had been his only offense. Not only did Stefan force this on Valerie, but their eldest brother as well.

But now, learning what she had this afternoon, she felt betrayed by not only one brother, but two.

She stormed into their loft, pulling the redhead off her brother's lap and compelling her to leave. "Is it true?" She demanded her jaw and fists clenched.

"You're going to have to be a little more specific, baby sis." He rolled his eyes, licking excess blood off his fingers.

"Is that wench still alive, Day? Are you planning to get her out of the tomb someday?" She yelled, her eyes watering as she thinks of the very person who ruined her family.

"Val." Damon sighed, standing from the couch to put a hand on her shoulder. "I was planning on telling you, I know how you feel about her but I lo.."

Valerie shoved her brother across the room, her eyes blazing in rage. "Don't you dare finish that sentence, Damon! That harlot is exactly where she deserves! She ruined us, how could you still want her?"

"Don't talk about her like that!" He growled, picking himself up off the floor and dusting his trousers off.

Valerie shook her head, turning away from her big brother. "It simple, Day. It's either me or her. You can't have both."

Damon sucked in a sharp breath, staring at his sisters back. "Val, please don't do this. I know you hate her but we can talk about this."

"I would never make you choose between two people you loved if I thought there was even the slightest chance she loved you back. But she doesn't and I can't see you with the person who destroyed us. You have to make a choice, Day."

A tense silence engulfed the room, second by second ticking by until Valerie lost all hope of the answer she was hoping for. She spun around masking her heartbreak with anger.

"So that's it? You're choosing the harlot who spread her legs for your brother, over me? Your own sister."

"I'm sorry, Val." Damon said mournfully, his eyes downcast. "It doesn't have to be like this."

"Yes, I'm afraid it does. You've made your choice so now you live with it. Have a good life, Day." Valerie said, tears falling freely from her cheeks as she sped out of the loft. She heard him screaming her name but she didn't stop until she was several towns over. Betrayal weighed heavily on her heart and she realized for the first time in her life; she was entirely on her own.


Past-Mystic falls—Gilbert house-May 23rd 2009

Clarabelle

Clarabelle sat in her bedroom, staring out the window with a sad expression on her face. It was her 14th birthday today but this week had been the worst of her life. Her family had just gotten back from her brithday dinner about an hour ago and her brother and dad had gone out to pick up her cake.

"Hey honey. Cheer up, you only turn 14 once." Her mother Miranda said, strolling into the room with a cupcake in hand. She took a seat next to her and handed her youngest child the cupcake, instantly receiving a smile.

"Thanks Mama." Clare sighed, leaning her head on her mother's shoulder. She was having a horrible week, it was the almost the end of her 8th grade year and her lifelong best friend Megan had slept with her first boyfriend Ryder at a party. Clare had told him she wouldn't be ready for that anywhere in the near future and he'd been okay with it. Or he said he was. She didn't understand how this could happen, how they could hurt her like that.

"Just remember baby, there's plenty of fish in the sea. You'll meet a young man whose worthy of you. Someone who makes you smile instead of cry and who makes you feel like you're the only girl in the world." Her mother told her, running her fingers through her hair.

"I know there's plenty of fish in the sea; I just thought he was my Nemo." She looked up at her mother with childlike eyes, her voice raw with vulnerability.

Just then her father and brother walk in the door with a birthday cake in hand, a giant pink teddy bear, pink and yellow balloons, several wrapped boxes and a tiara resting on Jeremy's head. She hastily wiped away her tears, not wanting them to see the evidence of her heartbreak.

"Happy birthday, baby girl!" Her father beamed, setting the birthday stuff on the bed before engulfing her in a hug.

"Happy birthday, short stuff!" Her brother Jeremy chirped, taking the tiara off his head and setting it on hers before tapping her nose affectionately.

She smiled at them, her pain momentarily forgotten. "Thanks daddy, thanks Jerbear."

"Let's go downstairs." Her mother suggested, eyes seeking her daughters to silently ask if she was going to be okay. She nodded her head and grabbed her mother's hand, trailing behind her dad.

Once reaching the living room, she looked around to see it all decked out with decorations. Her brother sets her pile of gifts on the table and her big sister Melody brought her cake into the kitchen.

"Happy birthday, Clarebear!" Her aunt Jenna called out the moment she walked through the front door. Her blonde hair was sticking every which way and her present looked like a five year old wrapped it. She had to giggle at her aunt; it looked like she had been through a hurricane to get here on time.

"Hey, Auntie Jenna!" She grinned, pulling her into a side hug before smoothing out her aunt's blonde hair.

"Where's Elena?" Her aunt asked, her eyes roaming the room for her missing sister.

Clare's face fell and she looked to the ground. "She bailed after dinner to go to a party." She mumbled, chewing on her bottom lip to keep from bursting into tears again. Her eldest sister seemed to care more about her friends and less about her family lately. "But everybody else is here so I've had a great birthday." She added, not wanting to talk about her sister. She walked into the kitchen and took a seat at the table in between her parents.

Melody lit the candles and her mother fetched a camera. She beamed from ear to ear, the excitement of cake perking her right up.

"Alright. Everyone ready?" Her father asked, getting everyone ready to sing. "1 2 3, Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…"

A few hours later...

Melody

Melody sat across from her little sister, sharing a piece of cake. It was eleven p.m and her parent's had just gone to pick up Elena from a party. She couldn't describe how mad she was at her twin sister. Not only did she bail on their little sisters birthday but she had made them come pick her up as a bonus. It was Clarabelle's birthday and today was supposed to be all about her but somehow Elena had turned it all around to make it the Elena show. She also knew that Clare had just had the worst week ever and needed all the support she could get.

Her anger towards her sister stemmed further than just today, though. Her friends had blown her off several times in the last month because Elena "had an emergency". Her emergencies were all shallow lover spats with Matt with no importance whatsoever. Elena was making the world about her and Melody was sick of it. She had always been the quiet one of the Gilberts. While Elena was a cheerleader, Melody loved photography, sketching and reading. While Elena was into her social life, Melody was genuinely interested in her studies, excelling in English and History. They were very different people, their only similarity being their looks. They weren't identical, nowhere near it but they had the same face shape and the same smile. Melody's eyes were hazel and hair auburn whereas Elena's eyes were chocolate brown and hair dark brown. Melody was also several shades lighter than Elena was, but tanner than Jeremy. She was about an inch taller than Elena, standing at 5'7 and younger than her twin by about 10 minutes, something Elena liked to use in all arguments.

She and Elena had the same friends, or she thought they did. She was starting to question that lately. She felt like Caroline and Bonnie were more Elena's friends than her own. Sure they cared about her but they always put Elena first.

She was brought out of her thoughts when the doorbell rings. "I'll get it." She told her younger brother and sister, sliding out of her chair to walk into the living room.

She opened her door to find Sheriff Forbes and two other officers. She felt her brother and sister approaching behind her, peeking over her shoulders.

"Can I help you?" She asked, her heart beating in trepidation. She didn't know what but she could feel it. Something was wrong.

"Hey kids, can we come inside for a minute?" Sheriff Forbes asked softly, her eyes glassy with pity.

"No just tell us what's up." Jeremy demanded, pushing his big sister out of the way to stare down the cops. He too could obviously feel something amiss.

When Sheriff Forbes struggled to form a sentence, an officer spoke up. "There was a terrible accident on Wickery Bridge. I'm so sorry, they did everything they could. Your sister is fine but your parents didn't make it…."

1 week later...

Past-The day of Funeral—Gilbert's house

Melody

Melody slipped on her black dress, staring into her mirror blankly. She practiced taking deep breaths while trying to pull herself together. When she had learned of her parent's death, she had blamed Elena. If her twin was being a good sister, they never would have had to go out to get her and they'd still be alive.

Tears fell from her eyes as she thought of her baby sister. A day that Clare had loved her entire life had turned into a nightmare. Her sister had barely spoken a word since that night; after screaming her lungs out and crying herself to sleep she had shut down. She didn't sleep, eat, or talk. Nothing. For a girl who talked nonstop and always had something to say, that scared Melody more than anything. She knew her baby sister would take this the hardest and that she had to be strong to get her through this. Clare hated being alone, resulting in her being closest to her parents. She was the baby and completely adored by the entire family.

Melody was angry, she knew it wasn't completely Elena's fault but her selfish actions had lead to the death of their parents. She couldn't help but blame her.

Clarabelle walked into her room, her red and puffy eyes fixed to the ground as she crawled on the bed. "I don't want to be here anymore." She whispered, the first words she had said in days. Before Melody can ask her sister what she means, their interrupted by a knock.

"Knock, knock." Caroline said, opening her door with Bonnie by her side.

"Hey guys, how are you holding up?" Bonnie asked sympathetically, shutting the door behind her. Clare ignored them, staring intently at her hands, folded in her lap.

"As well as can be expected." She told them, taking a seat next to Clare, and grabbing her hand in silent support.

"Okay look, I'm just going to come out and say it." Caroline said abruptly, putting her hands on her hips. "I know you're going through a lot, Melody but you have to stop blaming Elena. She was there when it happened; she's going through a lot and doesn't need you blaming her for something that wasn't her fault on top of it."

She looked at her friend in disbelief, a feeling of betrayal piercing through her heart. "You came here to tell me to be nicer to Elena? When did I say it's her fault?" She asked calmly, looking at her two supposed best friends.

"You didn't have too. It's in the way you glare and snap at her. You can barely look at her, and it's really upsetting her. She needs you right now." Caroline told her in a scolding manner.

Bonnie nodded her head, her shoulders relaxing at Melody's calmness. "Yes. I understand it's a hard time but we're so worried about her, Mel. She's really hurting. Instead of blaming her you need to be there for each other or you'll never get through this"

"Elena's going through a tough time." Melody repeated nodding her head before abruptly leaping off the bed.

"Well fuck you both! What about Clare? Her birthday will forever be a reminder of what she lost! Elena ruined it! Look at her! She's completely broken because my twin was being selfish! Clare and Jer are way too young to have to go through this! And for what, some stupid party? And what about me? I'm hurting too, but I don't matter as much as Elena, do I? You two are supposed to be my best friends, as well! That means not taking sides and not ditching me the moment Elena breaks a fucking nail! But you never were my best friends, were you? It's all about Elena and what she's feeling. I'm so done. I'm done being overlooked because I don't bitch and complain about everything wrong in my life, I'm done being taken for granted because I'm understanding and I'm done being second place to Elena! Now, get the hell out of my room!" She yelled, shocking her friends into silence. Melody never cursed much less several times in the same rant.

"Mel.." Bonnie began, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"You heard her. Leave." Clare said, standing from the bed to shove Caroline and Bonnie out of her sister's room, roughly.

"Okay I can see this is a bad time. We'll come back later to talk about this rationally. You're obviously very emotional with the whole your parents dying and all…." Caroline babbles before getting the door slammed shut in her face by Clare. The small blonde turns on her heels and faced her sister with watery eyes.

"I want to leave. I can't stay here. They're everywhere I look, Mel." Clare whispered her bottom lip wobbling. "And I can't look at Elena right now. She ditched my birthday and got our parents killed. I may be able to forgive her someday but if I stay I'm going to say something I may regret. Please?" She slid down the door, wrapping her arms around her knees as silent tears cascaded down her pink cheeks. Her body trembled from suppressing the urge to sob as she looked up at her sister with anguish filled eyes.

Melody's eyes watered and her throat closed up but she tried to ignore it. She knew she had to be strong for her little sister. She could break later. "Okay. After the funeral, we'll pack some bags and get the hell out of here."

Clare nodded, smiling gratefully at her big sister. Both girls knew that neither would ever be the same but they couldn't even begin to heal in this house or in this town. There was too much bad blood and too much pain. In time they may be able to return but until then, they wouldn't look back.