Authors Note: Welcome back everyone! Here is the next chapter... It is a little shorter than normal but I felt like this part needed to be broken up into two chapters.
Also just wanted to warn you guys this chapter and the next is Meroline (Matt and Caroline) heavy. I promise these are the only chapters that will be Meroline heavy... it's just essential for character development that's all :)
With that said I hope you enjoy!
Please leave reviews! Also, I would love to hear your theories about how Klaus and Caroline will meet... we have a couple more chapters to go.
Chapter 3 - The End of an Affair
Caroline stared at her friend and analyzed the fear that was present on her face. There were only two reasons why German soldiers came to your door. Either you didn't give enough food to satisfy the Germans and they came to your home to hound you for more, or they were delivering news of a loved one's death. By the look on Katherine's face, she could tell her friend was horrified and scared. Caroline took a deep breath and shook away all of the negative thoughts that coursed through her mind. After all, Katherine may be thinking that the soldiers may have figured out her Bulgarian roots and that they are here to punish both her and Caroline.
Taking a deep breath, Caroline began to speak. "Relax Katherine, did you happen to get a name from the soldier?"
Slowly the brunette's expression transformed from fear to confusion. Why would the name of the soldier matter? Katherine sifted through her mind in an attempt to see what Caroline was getting at. Finally she spoke up. "No, he just asked to speak with you." She looked up to her friend expecting some sort of answer.
Panic subsided within Caroline as her friend's words acted as a sort of reassurance. Placing reassuring hands on Katherine's shoulders, Caroline spoke in an excited tone. "Don't worry, it's probably Matt! The Polish soldiers got a three day leave!" Caroline exclaimed as she began her descent once again toward the house. "They wear German uniforms!"
Katherine stood frozen in her spot. Matt? She silently thought. Katherine had learned a lot about Caroline in the past three months since she was welcomed into her home. Katherine was introduced to Matthew Donovan through a variety of different memories and pictures that Caroline shared in an energized manner. The brunette recalled the hours of babbling that Caroline made her sit through. Could it really be Matt, she silently thought. Mentally, Katherine compared the images she had seen of Matt to the soldier that was waiting for Caroline on the front porch. That was when she began to chase after her friend.
"Caroline, wait!"
When Caroline reached the front porch panic struck her once again. The soldier standing there was not blonde nor did he have blue eyes; it was a stranger, someone she did not know. Attempting to stay calm, she prayed to God that the soldier was here because she did not give enough rations last week. Her momentary pause allowed Katherine to catch up to Caroline. The brunette remained still as she waited for her friend to make a move.
Swallowing and putting on a brave face, Caroline spoke. "Hello sir. I am Caroline Forbes and this is my cousin Katherine Pierce. Sorry for the delay I was in town delivering my rations but please come in and make yourself comfortable." Caroline then noticed that the soldier was carrying a pack and began to wonder what was in it.
As soon as the soldier stepped over the threshold he began to introduce himself. "Good afternoon Miss Forbes, my name is Sargent Tyler Lockwood." He removed his hat and placed it underneath his arm before extending out his hand for Caroline to shake.
Looking down toward the hand, Caroline carefully took it. "Good afternoon Sgt. Lockwood, may I ask what brings you to my home this afternoon? Did I do something wrong?" Caroline looked up to the German soldier nervously. Maybe she should have not questioned his authority. Maybe she should have offered him some refreshments. Caroline did not know how she should behave in this sort of situation; her eyes kept on darting to the pack that the man was carrying. The more she looked, the more anxious she became.
He shook his head and cleared his throat, "Actually no Miss Forbes, I am here to bring you some news."
And with those eight words, Caroline's heart began its slow and agonizing break. Caroline looked up at Sgt. Lockwood and knew what he was about to say, but she could not bring herself to accept it.
"I am here to regretfully inform you that your fiancé, Private Matthew Donovan was killed in action two days ago. He died a brave soldier fighting proudly for the German cause. Here in this bag it holds a few personal items that he brought with him to battle." Walking over to a table Caroline had placed near the entrance of her house, Sargent Lockwood gently placed the bag down and removed a folded white flag and Matt's dog tags from the top layer of the worn bag. The German Sargent slowly reached out and handed it to Caroline.
Caroline stared at the folded flag for what seemed like an eternity. She had always heard stories about women receiving white flags when their sons or husbands perished at war, but she never in a million years believed that she would be one of those women. This flag that she heard so many stories about represented the end of a life fighting for a cause. No scratch that – this flag represented the end of her life. The love of her life was gone, her best friend was gone, and there was nothing that she could do. All of the dreams they dreamt together were no longer an option. She was a widow before she could even get married.
Time began to slow as her mind flashed back to the day that Matt proposed to her. It seemed like ages ago, but it had only been four years since Caroline could call Matt her fiancé. She remembered the blossoming of spring and the smell of morning dew when Matt got down on one knee and proposed to her under her favourite willow tree out back. She could still hear his voice.
"Caroline."
"Yes Matt?"
"You can open your eyes now."
Caroline remembered how she was blindfolded as he said he had a surprise waiting for her. An eager Caroline ripped off the blindfold and opened her eyes to find herself engulfed by the branches of a willow tree. Looking down she remembered seeing Matt on one knee with a nervous smile across his face; his next words would be forever etched into her mind.
"Caroline Forbes, you are the love of my life. When I first met you, I was struck by your beauty and as I got to know you, I was even more awestruck by your personality. It was then that I knew someone special had entered into my life. Before I met you I felt stuck. I felt as if I was just going through the motions of life not even noticing what was going on around me. Now I feel like I am living once again as you can bring sunshine to the gloomiest day and a smile to everyone's face. Your positive attitude and optimist makes me want to be a better person and look for the good in life, rather than dwelling on the bad. You are my best friend and are constantly making me a better man. I cannot imagine another day without you by my side, and I want to be able to call you mine forever… Caroline Forbes, will you marry me?"
Prior to that day, Caroline thought she knew what happiness was. It wasn't until she said yes to Matt that Caroline knew what true happiness was. All Caroline wanted in life was to find love, marry her best friend and start a family. She remembered the joy that overcame her as Matt slipped the ring on her finger; at the time Caroline couldn't help but smile at the fact that all of her dreams were coming true. The blonde would have even described her life as being perfect.
Of course, she should have known that everything was too good to be true.
Looking up from the flag back to Sgt. Lockwood, Caroline asked in a shaky voice, "H-How did he die?"
"After examining his body, it was evident to see that he was shot in the heart." Sgt. Lockwood replied.
Caroline was at least relieved that Matt had a quick death and that he did not suffer in the end. She could not imagine how agonizing his last moments would have been if he was wounded and left on the battlefield to bleed to death. It would have been torturous to be wounded and not have the ability to do anything but wait until death finally came. At least this way was quick and fast, almost peaceful even though Caroline knew deep down that this war was anything but.
Grabbing the flag and the dogs tags from the German soldier, Caroline collapsed to the floor while the items rested in her lap.
Katherine stood behind her friend as she let her mouth drop at the news. She stood frozen in horror, taking it all the information in. Even though the brunette did not personally know Matt, his loss had hit her as well. She would never get to meet the wonderful man Caroline had told her so many stories about.
After Caroline got over the initial shock of the news, tears began to flood Caroline's eyes. He's gone… He's really gone.
The German took Caroline's action as his queue to leave. He shifted uncomfortably on the spot and placed his hat back on his head before he cleared his throat and spoke up. "My condolences, Miss Forbes." Sgt. Lockwood stated before he escorted himself out of Caroline's house, allowing her to grieve the death of her loved one. He would come by in the next couple of days in order to go over business with her. With the man of the household dead, Caroline had the possibility of losing everything.
As soon as the German soldier left, Katherine ran over to Caroline in an attempt to get her off of the ground. Silent tears were leaking out of her friend's eyes as she repeated the same words over and over again in a silent mutter. "He's gone, He's gone…"
"Care…" Katherine hesitantly crouched down and placed her hands on the blonde's shoulders in an attempt to provide some sort of comfort.
Caroline's head shot up and bloodshot teary eyes meet Katherine's gaze. The look that Caroline gave Katherine was one of loss and dread. For the first time the young woman saw hopelessness and emptiness grace her friend's face. In that moment, the Caroline Katherine knew was gone.
"He's gone…" Caroline did not break her eye contact with Katherine; she continued to look at her friend hoping she would tell her this was all a bad dream. "He can't be gone! I CAN'T BELIEVE HE'S GONE!" Caroline screamed as she hugged the white flag and the dog tags closer to her chest. The tears that escaped Caroline's eyes eventually turned into sobs that left the young woman hyperventilating.
Gently grabbing her arm and placing it on her shoulder, Katherine was able to get Caroline off of the ground. She knew her friend would probably want to grieve in private so she helped the young blonde up the stairs, into her room and then laid Caroline carefully on the bed. The blue eyed girl's body began to tremble along the journey as she was struck with grief. All Katherine could do was quietly sit beside her and hold her friend's hand while she watched the tears roll freely down her face. She had no idea what to say to her heartbroken friend. She knew all too well what Caroline was going through and feeling; to lose someone you love, let alone a future with them. Endless possibilities were now gone for Caroline. It leaves a gaping hole in your heart and no words or comfort or encouragement could make the loss and despair go away. Katherine stayed with Caroline, holding her hand and letting her cry until the girl eventually fell asleep. She hated to see her friend in so much pain, but being by her side was the only thing she could think of to comfort her.
Once Caroline was sound asleep, Katherine got up and took a long look at her friend. It broke her heart seeing Caroline's tear-stained face asleep, protectively hugging the white flag and dog tags close to her heart. In that moment Caroline looked like an innocent little girl hugging her favourite teddy bear in bed oblivious to the horrors of the world around her; once she wakes up that innocence would be once again lost. Katherine promised herself that she would do whatever it took to help Caroline move on with her life. Obviously she would allow Caroline to grieve, she just lost the love of her life, but Katherine would use all of her power to get her life back on track. She would help Caroline, like Trevor and Rose helped her. After all, Caroline saved her so now it was Katherine's turn to return the favour.
Eventually Caroline would learn that life goes on.
After glancing one more time at her friend, Katherine walked back downstairs to make a pot of tea when she noticed that the pack that the soldier brought in still remained on the table in the front hall. She glanced back up to Caroline's room and decided to empty it in order to make things easier for the sleeping girl before she woke up. As she was emptying the bag, Katherine pulled out a curled up picture of Matt and Caroline. This picture instantly brought quiet tears to Katherine's eyes for the first time. The brunette had never seen a couple so happy and in love. Matt and Caroline were looking at each other with their arms around one another smiling, or maybe they were laughing. It wasn't so much the picture that shocked her but the condition that it was in. The picture was all torn and dirty and if Katherine looked hard enough, she could even see stains of blood. Without having ever met Matt, she could tell how much he loved Caroline just by looking at the condition of the picture. He literally went through hell trying to come home to the one he loved.
Putting the picture down, Katherine began to empty the rest of the bag. There was a pack of smokes. Since when did he smoke? Caroline never said anything about him smoking? There was a harmonica, his uniform and a journal that was soaked right through that made it no longer legible. The last thing that Katherine pulled out of the pack was a letter. The letter was sealed in an envelope; obviously Matt had the intention to send this letter to Caroline but he never got the chance to. Katherine was eager to know what was inside the letter but she wouldn't violate her friend's trust and personal space.
She grabbed the picture and letter along with a glass of water and marched back upstairs to Caroline's room, leaving the contents on Caroline's side table before she quietly exited the room leaving her friend to sleep.