Title: God Gave Us Memories
Chapter: 1/1
Author: ladyknight1512
Fandom: The Vampire Diaries (TV-verse)
Characters: Liz Forbes, Caroline Forbes
Pairing: none
Genre: Family/Angst
Rating: G
Summary: Murderer. Bloodsucker. Vampire. Monster. Caroline, her Caroline, is none of those things.
Spoilers: up to and including 2x17 "Know Thy Enemy"
Warning(s): none
Word Count: 191
Disclaimer: These characters are the property of L. J. Smith, Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec.
A/N: Title is taken from a quote by J.M. Barrie ("God gave us memories that we might have roses in December.") Written for The Vampire Diaries Free-For-All Comment Ficathon: Part 2 hosted by softly_me.
- o – o – o -
Caroline came into the world screaming her little lungs out; it started an attention-seeking pattern that's lasted all her 17 years.
And if what Caroline told Matt, and what Matt told Liz, is true, then Liz's daughter left the world in much the same way she entered it: crying out, needing someone.
The difference is that Liz wasn't there the second time.
That first time the nurse laid Caroline in her arms, the baby had squirmed, almost as if she knew that her mother wasn't quite sure what to do with her. But then Liz had smoothed a hand over Caroline's perfect blonde head and she had quietened, easing into sleep.
She can't reconcile the pristine memories of round, baby cheeks and chubby, reaching fingers with all the words she has been taught to hate and fear.
Murderer. Bloodsucker. Vampire. Monster.
Caroline, her Caroline, is none of those things.
She can't be, because if she is then Liz has failed in the worst way. It is one thing to protect her town and her people from supernatural dangers. It is completely another to do the same for her innocent baby girl.