we are not afraid of what's to be when this road has just begun


She dropped onto her bed.

The cream section of her dress was stained black where she'd rubbed her running mascara, but she kind of liked it.

She was pathetic.

She would be mad for a while and she wouldn't wear this dress again but she'd forgive him, she knew she would. Because he wouldn't even know what he'd done so wrong and Elena would give her that look like she was being completely irrational and maybe she was, she couldn't be sure anymore.

Caroline kicked off her shoes and was turning her head to pull the zipper down on the side of her dress when she caught sight of a champagne coloured envelope.

Her heart leapt into her throat and all at once a rush of energy pumped into her veins and she jumped up, her head whipping around as her ears listened for anything, anything, that meant he was here.

She wasn't sure what she would do if he was, but it didn't matter because she heard or saw nothing but the envelope lying there perfectly on her pillow imbued with the grace of the man who'd left it there.

Gingerly she lifted it and she felt stupid but she lifted her pillow to her face anyway and smelled it, not thinking about mascara stains for an entirely different reason this time.

It was half her imagination, she was sure, but she smelled him.

Slowly she sunk to the floor and, with the pillow on her lap, she opened the envelope.

Caroline

She smiled at seeing her name in his handwriting; she smiled so widely her face almost hurt.

He hurt you tonight. I was more than ready to make good on my promise but in your name I opted to allow him a second chance. He will not be so lucky again.

Fresh tears pricked at her eyes and her smile widened.

"Crazy, overprotective stalker hybrid," she said aloud affectionately, shaking her head a little.

A warm sort of pride and… love had built in her chest and it drove her to continue reading.

I'll be frank – mainly to keep you from mocking me later about this being a love letter –

She giggled. "This is so a love letter, Klaus, you're not getting out of that one."

I am astonished by your choice. I know you and thus I know that by now you have tabulated and weighed Stefan and I against each other and while this may be the result of perpetual narcissism, I do believe I tip the scales. I will never value the doppelganger above you.

I can give you not only the life you've always dreamed of but every single one you have yet to dream up. But I have come to realise that perhaps it is not the man but how you feel with him. In this regard I ponder your mother's statement which you made no move to strike – that Stefan makes you truly happy.

Caroline drew a sharp breath, feeling weirdly ashamed and saddened by his words.

I feel it would be no surprise if I said that there are few things I want in this world more than you; that that will never cease. Perhaps, in light of my admitted narcissism, it would be less of a surprise if I said one of those few things I place above you is your happiness.

The events of tonight and my very instinct tell me that Stefan will not grant you that continually. However, I would be remiss in not allowing you to experience so for yourself if it is what you crave. What I offer you, after all, is not a cage built of warnings but a life.

Something inside Caroline pinged, something that said what he was offering her sounded better than anything else she could think of at this moment right now.

I promised to wait however long it would take and that has not changed. If that wait includes watching you with other men who do not deserve you in the name of letting your will be done then it is something I'm willing to endure.

Just remember, sweetheart. You brought the world's most wretched monster to his knees – you deserve no less than a man who would fall on his sword for your smile.

She thought: He loves me. There was no mistaking it or guessing anymore.

One day we will reunite, I have no doubt of that simply because I will never stop waiting.

But in the meantime, love, do not be afraid. Your mother will die. You will not need anyone. Anyone who thinks differently underestimates you; you whose strength, beauty and light only grows daily.

One day your mother will die and I do not expect you then. Perhaps that is when you will truly embrace the world and what it has to offer. Perhaps that will be the beginning of a road I cannot imagine but that I know you will embark on gracefully.

Caroline sat speechless and she suddenly desperately needed him here, to explain everything and to slap him and to ask him how he could believe in her so much.

But there was still some letter left – way less than she would've liked – and she had a feeling it answered the last part of her thoughts.

I lied.

When I said that I wasn't quite done being yours yet, it was the result of a gross miscalculation from a man who was too much of a coward to admit the truth even to himself: I will never tire of being yours, Caroline.

She was sobbing so hard that she struggled to make out the rest and she wiped at her eyes in irritation, eager to lap up every single word he'd left for her; every single expression of the way he loved her.

Your touch is indelible light, love, and I will wear your fingerprint as a badge of honour so all will know – I am awaiting the return of a queen.

Eternally yours

Klaus