Chapter 9- The first hybrid

"I don't understand."

"A few days ago we were holding a Halloween party at the compound and I noticed how unhappy my father was so I asked my uncle and aunt about it and they showed me his office, it was full of sketches all of your mom."

"So they knew each other, so what?"

"I think you know it was more than that, your mom also has a collection of sketches and pictures and I've seen that same unhappy look that was on my father's face on your mothers when she doesn't you guys are looking, you can't say you've never seen it."

"Everyone has bad moments-"

"Josie-"

"No! Is that why you came here, to steel mom away to New Orleans?"

"At first yes ,I guess, but then I met her and you guys and I could never do that to you or Lizzie. I though I would find your mom single but instead I found her with an amazing job and two children and then I became your friend and I don't know what I was going to do after I left, I still don't know." Hope huddled into herself like a protective shield from what ever Josie was going to say.

Looking up, Hope saw the anger leave Josie's face but she could tell she didn't know what to say.

"Your right."

"Huh?"

"I seen mom's unhappy mood swings when she thinks we're asleep or in another room. I know about how she's only married to dad for us, I mean she sleeps in a different room of course I've noticed something was off. But Lizzie... I tried talking to her before about it but she ... She just ignores it. She loves the idea of the perfect family and she doesn't want that ruined. Don't tell mom or Lizzie what happened here until I decide what to do about this. Ok?"

Hope nodded her head, she didn't want to lose two of the only friends she had.

"Until then act like nothing happened. Get dressed, we're getting ready to leave. We're going to see some landmarks."

With that Josie left the room leaving Hope to put back everything where she found it and to get dressed.

KCKCKCKC

The car journey was silent for Hope and Josie but Lizzie and Caroline would not stop singing along with the songs on the radio.

"I thought we would go to the arts district today, if you like art as much as your father then I'm sure you'll love it."

"Thank you." Hope felt better, Caroline had put thought into where they were going.

"So do you like art?"

"Yes I love it, I've been painting since I could crawl and dads been helping me learn to sketch since I was 6. And whenever we go abroad we always spend some time alone at the nearest gallery. Although my favourite is The Hermitage, have you ever been."

Hope caught Caroline's smile in the wing mirror before she spoke.

"No but your father has a painting there doesn't he?"

"How did you know? I thought he only told me and my uncle." Hope said shocked.

"He just mentioned it briefly once when he was showing me some of his collection."

KCKCKCKC

"This Hope is the Klyde Warren Park. I love it at this time of day, it's jam packed with people and the sun on your face feels ever better when you can hear children laughing and some beautiful plants and trees. I thought we could relax for a while and get an ice cream, I think I see some free chairs further on."

The sun smiled as they walked under some cream arches and passed a handsome busker on the floor with just a hat, his guitar and his voice which felt like their soundtrack for that moment.

They were so at peace as they sat down they didn't realise there was a guy walking towards them and they didn't realise that his scent was that of a werewolf.

"Caroline?"

"Tyler?" He walked towards them with a briefcase in his hand and a suit which was almost as well kept as Elijah's. Caroline hugged him quickly before sitting down and offering him the spare seat.

"So what are you doing here?"

"I had some work at the Texas Capital Bank and thought I would have a break before I went home."

"Tyler Lockwood the banker." Hope perked up, where had she heard that name before?

I heard Tyler's in town, after what happened last time I don't want him to leave unscarred.

I know, I heard Hayley. He's just a wolf now, no harm will be done from him passing through visiting tourist destinations with his wife and child.

Why aren't you jumping at this chance to kill him? Does she really mean more to you than your own daughter?

"Caroline 'Saltzman' the news reporter."

They shared a smile before Caroline handed some cash to Lizzie and told the girls to get some ice cream luckily it was close enough for Hope to use her hearing to listen in.

"How is Mary? And little Mason, he must be what? 7?"

"Just turned 8 last month."

"Gosh they're growing up so fast."

"Josie and Lizzie look happy, how is Ric?"

"Good, away on business at the moment though."

"So that's why you invited a tribrid into your house."

Both Caroline and Hope froze.

"I may not be a hybrid anymore but I can still smell her scent. Don't worry, I won't try and kill her, I learnt my lesson last time."

"I didn't know she was coming, she just turned up at my work one day but she gets on well with Lizzie and Josie, she a nice girl and someone who understands about the supernatural and can talk normally to the girls about it, anyway how's Matt? Last time I heard from him he was heading to see you then Jeremy."

"He's doing as well as he could be, stayed at mine for a few weeks but he's now got his own apartment and job at the local police station but occasionally goes hunting with Jeremy."

"And Anna's ok with her husband going away hunting vampires with Matt while she looks after the kids?"

"Anna understands that Jeremy has the need to kill she's just happy he does it away from his children. Actually there was something he mentioned..."

"What?"

"You know where Elena and Damon are."

"Yes I do."

"Jeremy doesn't even know and he's Elena's brother."

"But I'm a vampire who can't die any second due to a car crash, if that happened to Jeremy no one would know where they are until Bonnie dies."

"And if Stefan or Jeremy wants to see them?"

"Then I will take them to them before moving them somewhere else."

"Why are you in charge of them?"

"I was asked to, can we move on from that please."

"Actually," Tyler looked at his watch before turning back to her," I have to leave now if I want to get home in time for dinner, it was good to see you though Care."

"It was good to see you as well Tyler."

Click click click. Lizzie had been clicking in Hope's face for the last 5 minutes trying to get her attention.

"Hope! What flavour ice cream do you want?!"

Looking up, the server was clearly pissed of and so was the continually growing line behind them.

"Uh sorry?"

"What flavour do you want?" The server behind the counter chomped on her gum like a cow.

"Mint chocolate chip please." Hope said as the people behind her growled, "Finally."

Walking back over to Caroline, Josie passed her mother a strawberry ice cream that matched her own.

"Thanks Jo."

"So after this how about we go and look in the museum?"

Thank you for reading this chapter, I am trying to get this story finished by the 19th of November which will be a year exactly from when I started this story. A sequel will also hopefully be released on that day but until then please follow, favourite and review.

-Laura