The next morning Elena was awoken by an almighty scream, the door to her bedroom crashing open and a mass of blonde hair blocking her vision as she tried to identify the intruder, who had pulled her into a sitting and was now clinging to her for dear life.
'Oh …..My….God …..Elena, I can't believe you're here.' Elena recognised the voice and smiled pulling the blonde closer before she tried to break the hug.
'I've missed you so much Caroline.' Elena said softly as tears started to well in eyes.
Caroline pulled back to look at Elena's features before pulling her towards her for another hug 'Don't you ever do that again, don't you ever leave without telling me, EVER! Do you understand?' Caroline chastised and Elena laughed.
'Mummy, are you going to get up today?' At that, Caroline whipped her head around faster than Elena could even register the movement.
Caroline's mouth formed and 'o' shape as she tried to figure out the right questions to ask. Tearing her eyes off the small child she looked back to Elena who laughed at the lack of words, especially from Caroline.
'Caroline, this is Sophia, my daughter.' Caroline, still silent, turned to look at the little girl once more who was now climbing onto the bed.
'Hello Caroline.' Sophia said cheerfully as she hugged her around the waist.
'What?' Was all Caroline finally managed to mutter.
Elena laughed as she stroked Sophia's hair.
Over breakfast, Elena explained to Caroline what had happened and her reasons for leaving whilst Sophia was happy drawing pictures at the table for her Uncle Stefan.
'So, what about you, I mean what's been going on?' Elena asked as she brought her coffee cup to her lips.
'Well,' Caroline smiled and sat up in her chair, 'Tyler and I are engaged!' with that both girls squealed like piglets before hugging each other again. Elena pulled Caroline's hand towards her so she could examine the ring on her finger.
'Wow' Elena exclaimed as she looked at the rock which adorned Caroline's dainty finger. 'So when's the big day?'
'When you have eternity Elena there's no rush. ' Katherine announced as she entered the kitchen.
'So you're saying being single for 500 plus years isn't that bad?' Caroline asked sarcastically which caused Elena to smile, since when had Caroline been so confident around Katherine.
'No, not single, just getting what I want when I want it. You don't have to have love to survive.'
'Obviously, 'Caroline muttered as she eyed Katherine up and down before turning back to Elena. 'So how long are you staying? Please say you're coming home for good?' Caroline's expectant questions hit like a lead balloon. She hadn't really thought about it but she knew she left Mystic Falls for a reason but it seemed that the reason didn't really stand anymore, everything did seem ….normal.
'I don't know yet Caroline. I didn't even know I would be here, let alone how long I'm going to stay.' She added as she looked at Katherine.
'It's for your own good Elena and for Sophia. You both want and need a family around you, you can't deny it and I don't regret going to get you.'
'How do you know what I want Katherine? I'm sorry but you don't get to tell me how I feel. You have no idea about my life and what I've had to go through time and time again, You might be able to handle it but I'm not a hard faced bitch I'm not as strong as you, I can't just let go of my feelings.' Elena's voice had risen without her knowing and Katherine had moved closer to her, they were almost toe to toe.
'Hey, what's going on?' Stefan had sped into the kitchen after hearing raised voices as he stood in the middle of them like a referee at a boxing match.
'Nothing just a disagreement,' Katherine said as she backed off.
'Elena?' Stefan asked for conformation.
'It's fine.' She added turning away from them. 'So Caroline I need some fresh air, how about we take Sophia into town and spoil her rotten.'
'Yesss!' Sophia exclaimed as she chucked her crayons on the table and ran to get her shoes.
'If I hadn't of endured the labour of having her, I would definitely say she was your child.' Elena remarked looking to Caroline.
So Sophia had been spoiled completely rotten by Caroline who had insisted she paid for absolutely everything, including lunch.
'Thanks for today Caroline, I've missed you, I've missed this.' Elena said as she pulled nearly 20 bags of all different shapes and colours from the boot of Caroline's car.
'Anytime,' Caroline replied pulling Elena in for a hug. 'I'm just glad to have you back even if it's not for long.'
Elena offered a weak smile. She hadn't given any thought to how long she would stay since Caroline had asked earlier and she still didn't have an answer.
'Sophia, can you take some of these small bags inside for me?' Elena asked and Sophia nodded taking the bags from her mother. 'Thank you.'
'Well I need to get back to Tyler, It was so nice to meet you Sophia, if you ever want to go shopping just ask me but remember….'
'Don't tell Tyler how much we spent!' They said in unison.
Caroline smiled 'Bye guys see you soon'
Sophia skipped off towards the front door of the boarding house.
'Bye Caroline!' Elena watched as Caroline drove back out of the Salvatore's drive.
When she reached the house, Sophia found the front door open. She ran straight to the parlour steps and dropped her bags on the floor where she then knelt down beside them to pull out all of their contents to study them once more, she didn't notice the dark figure sat only a few feet away from her watching her intently.
So there you have it, a Caroline chapter. Please review if you like the story so far.
