"Hey Ric" I spoke into the phone and saw Caroline stiffen a bit while Kol was leaning against the wall.

"Hey Elena, you know a weird thing happened with me" Alaric replied as chewed my lower lip "you see I went to sleep thinking my daughter was safe in Seattle, then I woke up this morning to find out that she has gone and gotten married in Vegas. Care to explain?"

"Well, I uh Ric, I'm in love with him". I blurted out and imagined him raising his eyebrows while Kol actually did and I blushed for no apparent reason.

"You are?"

"Yes". I felt guilty about lying to him right through my teeth but wasn't ready for his disappointment.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I wasn't sure of his feelings for me".

"Are you now?"

"Yes". I couldn't believe how much I was lying to the only decent parent figure in my life. He let out a breath and I could almost see him running his free hand through his hair.

"Fine. But I want to meet him".

"I figured, we'll come, one minute" I say and bring the phone down and turn in order to address Kol. "When will we leave?"

"Whenever you want darling". I frowned at the nickname but decided not to say anything right now.

"We'll be there by tomorrow".

"Okay, darling".

"Ric!"

"What just using your new pet name".

"Do not try to act innocent".

"Fine, you don't either. Should I come to pick you up?"

"No it's fine. We'll come on our own".

"If you say so. Bye".

"Bye". I hung up to see Kol and Caroline looking at me expectantly. "Kol, when can we leave?"

"Depends on where we're going".

"Mystic Falls, Virginia".

"I'll see when the next flight is or tomorrow's first flight and then we'll leave".

"Okay". He left the room and Caroline and I were finally alone.

"Elena".

"Caroline, I know what you want to say, but I know what I'm doing".

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, plus it's important to me and you know it".

"Okay, but you can leave him anytime, right?"

"Yeah," I'm just not sure if I want to.

"I booked a flight for tomorrow morning". Kol said as he walked in and I nodded.

"Okay. Where do you live?"

"Seattle".

"Oh good, otherwise I would've to shift wherever you live or the other way around". I say and he rubs his neck awkwardly.

"Well, my mother called and she wants to meet you". He said as he shut the door.

"Where are the others?" Caroline asked before I could respond and Kol told her they had gone and that Klaus was waiting downstairs for her and she rushed out leaving us alone.

"Great, we'll go and meet your mother whenever she wants".

"Thank you but she wants to throw a party for you to meet everyone". Kol informed somewhat reluctantly.

"Oh, when?"

"The coming weekend and told me to invite your entire family". He said and I nodded.

"Okay, I'll invite Alaric".

"Who is he?"

"He's my stepfather. Be careful about your behaviour around him, he's a teacher and specialises in giving the guilt trip." I told him somewhat jokingly and he nodded.

"Well, I should have a bath. I reek of alcohol". He said and I realised he was right, I smelt of alcohol as well.

"So do I, I'm going to go to my room and get ready".

"Okay. Do you want to have dinner together?"

"Sure. 7 o'clock". He nodded and taking my purse and bidding my new husband a goodbye I left, feeling myself looking forward to the dinner.

Turns out we were staying in the same hotel just on different floors. When I reached my room and checked the time, it was almost one in the afternoon, I went to take a shower.

The shower was...it was some sort of a safe place for me, I could break down and sob and be weak and no one could judge me because they didn't know, so that's what I did. But I also tried to convince myself that this was a blessing in disguise, if Kol could help me, I could finally find out what happened to him. That didn't mean I could ever fall in love again because I knew I couldn't. If only I had known how wrong I was.

A/N - Hi guys, thank you so much for the reviews, follows and favourites. Your reviews encourage me to write more, so thank you very much. Let me know what you think about the chapter.