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An Unlikely Match
Chapter IX
The ride to the hospital had been quiet. Caroline didn't talk at all since she had thanked him for being there for her, and informing her about her father's condition. Knowing that there was nothing to be said that could give Caroline real comfort he stayed silent.
Caroline didn't know what to do. Alaric had called her to his office first thing the next morning to check on her, and see if she would be able to work. Assuring him that she was okay he allowed her to work with a frown on his face. He knew she was far from 'okay'. There were still many people to be operated on, patients who had been sedated through the night to await their turn. Most cases were orthopedic, but Caroline didn't mind. It was a welcomed distraction, even if she hated orthopedics. It also prevented her from doing something else.
Klaus had informed her of her father's room, but she couldn't find the courage to go. She knew that the chances of seeing someone from his new family were high, and she didn't want to face that just yet. Alaric had also commented he had released Elena for the day, and Caroline knew for sure the brunette would be there. It was hard, and awkward, to be around Elena. She could only imagine how much worse it would be facing the rest of her father's family.
The morning went fairly well, she had avoided her father's room, his family and even Mason. He desperately wanted to check in on her, to be there for her and also apologize for his behavior a couple of days ago, but she had asked him to back off if he really cared about her. He had promptly agreed, and she was thankful that she had handled at least one of the many uncomfortable conversations she would be having.
Klaus was currently in surgery, along with Katherine, which left Stefan and Caroline, as Bonnie was MIA. The former roommates talked a little bit about their cases, before Stefan briefly addressed Grayson. Caroline was grateful for his concern, and ensured him she was dealing with it the best she could, but she preferred if they didn't talk about it. The intern had agreed, and they continued eating in silence. That is, until someone broke it.
"Caroline," looking behind her Caroline found not only Elena, but a young man and woman.
"Elena," Caroline muttered in return.
"Hi, Elena, I'm sorry about your father," Stefan jumped in, seeing how both female doctors seemed uncomfortable and hurting.
"Thanks, Stefan," the other intern offered with a small smile.
"Do you want to join us?" Stefan asked, seeing how the three people standing had trays with food.
"Would you mind, Caroline?" Elena asked, and the blond simply shook her head.
"This is Caroline Forbes, our half-sister. Caroline, this is Meredith and Jeremy, my youngest siblings," Elena introduced.
Caroline looked at them, their eyes notably puffy and red while they said 'hello', but the blond didn't know what to say.
"And this is Stefan, a fellow intern," Elena continued when Caroline didn't say anything.
"It's nice to meet you, despite the terrible circumstances. I'm sorry about your father," he repeated his words of minutes ago.
The two raven-haired people thanked him before sitting and eating. The tension could have been cut with a scalpel, making them all the quieter.
"Elena said you're one of the very best residents in the program, Caroline," it was the girl, Meredith, who broke the silence.
"I think she's exaggerating," Caroline answered shyly.
"Or being biased, Elena is always biased about us, but I'm sure you're very good," Jeremy smiled to his older sister.
Caroline felt her eyes watering. She had always wanted to have siblings, and to feel that somehow Elena thought she was great because she was biased because they were sisters, touched Caroline somehow.
"Each hour he makes it through improves his chances of making it for good," she offered, a small tears escaping from her control, as she looked to her half-siblings.
"Dr. Saltzman said it earlier, but they also said he's still in the rough waters," Meredith said, tears also falling from her eyes.
"He seems like a strong man," Caroline offered a small smile, "It also helps to have family be strong in times like these,"
"Thank you, Caroline," Elena said, knowing that it comforted her brother and sister, as well as herself, to know Caroline cared about Grayson and maybe about them as well.
"Don't give up on faith," Stefan offered to the other four people at the table, "Don't give up on hope. It's all you have now, but it's also powerful," he completed.
Meredith nodded, while Jeremy looked away, too emotional. Elena just closed her eyes, tears falling from it, while Caroline reached for her hand and squeezed it.
"He's always there, you know? Through everything in my life, my father was always there for me. I don't know if I can survive in a world where my old man isn't showing me the way," Jeremy said a few minutes later, nobody touching their food anymore.
"So don't think about having to do it without him," Caroline turned to her brother, thinking of him as so for the first time in her life.
She didn't know how she had found comfort in the middle of it all, but having her half-siblings at the moment, feeling a similar pain, comforted her. Deep down in her heart she knew there was a still a high risk of her losing her father, but at the same time it seemed like she was winning a family. Her blood family.
Grayson had yet to wake up. Under normal circumstances patients didn't take this long to wake from surgery; except if they fell into a coma by some change. But this wasn't a usual case, and his body had been under an abundance of stress.
Caroline didn't know how to react. She had been able to concentrate on her surgery, even if her mind couldn't stop wondering about her father. The moment with her siblings during lunch had been nice, and she wondered if things would be so easy if their father wasn't still fighting for life. Tragedy brings people closer, it makes them more compassionate and forgiving. The country had been mourning the victims from the brutal accident. New York was grieving for the hundreds of people dead and the hundreds injured. Nobody knew how the tragic accident occurred – although some speculated terrorism – because there weren't enough clues to piece together how or why the train went off its tracks and invaded the station.
"You did a great job today, Caroline," Isobel offered as they scrubbed out of the surgery.
"Thanks, Dr. Saltzman," the blond offered with a small smile.
"I suppose that's one good thing you took from your mother. Liz was always able to concentrate on her work no matter what happened around her," the attending doctor offered with a warm smile, thinking that was something that would make Caroline happy. It was no secret the young resident had always tried to impress her mother and make her proud of who she had become. Isobel felt deeply for Liz's unfortunate death and for Caroline's deception. The girl probably thought she was a failure and Isobel felt like she owed it to her friend to let Caroline know things Liz didn't say much.
"To be honest I hope I don't become so career-oriented. My mother lived for her work, I want more in life, I have other people in life that aren't my patients," Caroline offered honestly. She admired her mother for being such a great doctor, but if the price to be a legend was anything like what Elizabeth Forbes had given aka everything else, Caroline would happily settle for being just an ordinary surgeon.
"Your mother focused on her career because she had never been good at dealing with feelings and people. The only way she knew how to connect with people was with a scalpel in her hand. She improved her bedside manners as the years passed, but at first not even that she understood," Isobel offered and Caroline was actually taken aback.
"Can I make you a question?" Caroline said as they walked through the long corridor.
"Sure,"
"Did my mother ever threaten my father or make it difficult for him to see me?" Caroline asked, already feeling the tears burning her eyes. She didn't know which answer would break her more: knowing her father probably lied (or Elena in his place) or knowing her mother had been so selfish.
Isobel sighed, but she really owed it to Caroline.
"Liz had been much more hurt by Grayson's departure than she ever let show. She may have been focused on her career, and a baby wasn't part of her plans so early in her married life, but she loved your father, Caroline. He was the only man she had ever loved, and on the rare occasions I'd seen your mother overwrought with emotion was because of Grayson. He didn't hurt just her feelings when he left to be with Miranda. He hurt her pride when he chose a nurse over a future surgeon. They were both doctors, and for him to choose a nurse over her meant she was irrelevant. I think one of the biggest reasons why she had been so career-driven was because of that. She wanted to prove to Grayson she would have been the better choice," the general surgeon explained, but it didn't convince the blond.
"That still doesn't answer my question," Caroline said as they approached the doctors' office, where they would talk to the patient's family in a few minutes.
"Yes, she threatened him, she made things difficult. She prohibited him from getting close to you and said she would fabricate lies about him if she needed to. I don't know a lot of the details, but I know Grayson felt terrible about leaving her, about breaking her and she knew it, so she used it against him. She threatened to take you away and go to some country, or even give you up for adoption saying he had abandoned both of you," Isobel said once they were inside her office.
"He could have tried harder," Caroline muttered, close to tears again but holding back as best as she could knowing her intern would bring the family in at any moment.
"He could, but no matter how much he tried, he knew he would lose it. You know well what your mother is capable of, Caroline. I'm not exempting him, far from it, but I'm not sure he would have been successful in being there for you. Liz was going to take it to court, and those battles can be nasty, especially for the kid," Isobel also fought her tears, seeing how hurt and broken Caroline had been not only because of the last twenty-four years, but also the last twenty-four hours.
"I don't know what could have been worse than believing my whole life that he didn't love me enough to even send me a card," the blond couldn't hold back a couple of tears, wiping them as soon as they were shed.
"I'm sorry, Care," Isobel hugged the blond, but they broke apart once they heard a knock on the door.
"It's okay," Caroline offered sadly, trying to recover her composure as her patient's family arrived.
Caroline didn't pay close attention to the explanation Isobel was providing. All she could think was of her own family, or the lack thereof.
And now she had the answer to her question. She felt even worse now than when she thought Grayson didn't love her or fight for her. Because at least in that scenario; only one of her parents hadn't loved her enough. Knowing Liz had made it difficult for her father only showed her mother also hadn't loved her fully. Caroline tried to keep her feelings for her mother neutral, but knowing this tipped the scale, and not in her favor.
What kind of mother would deprive her child of their father because of revenge or pride? Caroline could only think of one: the one that didn't love their child.
If Isobel had compared mother and daughter under any one circumstance, Caroline would be proud to know she had at least her mother's diligence and endurance. It was an honor to have something in common with the great Elizabeth Forbes, but today Caroline didn't think so. She hoped she ended up being her mother's opposite, even if it included their careers being polar opposites.
This job meant a lot for Caroline, but it was far from being everything. Now that she had finally had a relationship, she dared to dream of more for her life. For a long time she thought she was destined to have the same life her mother had, no family, no human connections, no feelings. At first it had been out of fear of being abandoned, or hurt like she had been by her own father. Later it was simply because she didn't think she was emotionally healthy to afford a long term relationship.
Even if things with Mason had been far from ideal and the whole experience had hurt her a lot, but at least she realized she was capable of being in a relationship. She had finally come to terms with the fact that he really did have to give his marriage one last go to see if he couldn't make things work. She put herself in his place, and if she had a husband she would've tried everything and then some to make it work. It had hurt, but she understood where he was coming from.
Something had changed. She didn't know what exactly, but after three months of being apart from Mason, it didn't hurt so much anymore. That ache in her heart was dulling down. Even if she still had hope, cried some nights, or looked longingly at him when she thought nobody was watching. But that stingy pain had gone away. It became easier and they had a normal, friendly relationship, that is until he decided to be a caveman about her and Damon kissing. But she knew it had been a terrible choice made by them. They had been reckless and hurt Mason — although they didn't owe the neurosurgeon any explanation about their personal lives.
Some nights she thought she was falling out of love with Mason, but she quickly dismissed those thoughts. She could still feel her love for him, and when he smiled his perfect smile, she still felt butterflies. But now something was missing. She just didn't know what.
Regardless of where her relationship with Mason would go, it had changed Caroline's hopes and dreams. She felt like she could finally dream of a family, of having a husband, even if they never signed any papers. A partner: someone for her to spend the rest of her life with, and maybe have a couple of children with. That wasn't a dream she had before Mason, and she couldn't hope for something she knew for sure wouldn't happen. She didn't have enough faith, she used to think she wasn't girlfriend material, she used to think she was too damaged and too afraid. And in those moments she tried to look to her mother's life and see if Liz was happy. Her mother died before Caroline had ever been able to figure it out. But now she didn't have to think of having a life similar to her mother's as her only option. She knew she could do much better, she wanted to do much better. Maybe with Mason. Maybe not. Caroline couldn't say that yet, but deep in her heart she knew, someday she would be happy with the man of her dreams, or simply her man. Caroline wished to dwell on her thoughts longer, but the persistent beeping of her pager interrupted her thoughts.
Looking at her page she saw it was the man of her life. At least at the moment, and she could gladly say Klaus made her happy even if he wasn't her boyfriend.
"Hey," she said entering the very old man's room, where he had asked her to meet him.
"Hi," he offered quietly and she knew something had happened. He had long lost his quiet behavior around her.
"What happened?" she asked before he said another word.
"He woke up," he said and for a moment the world stopped for Caroline Forbes.
"Wh- when?" she asked.
"Five minutes ago. Elena asked me to let you know," he said, his hands on his pockets, as he watched her reaction closely.
She sat in the nearest chair, not knowing exactly what to do.
"Is he talking? Is he okay?" she asked, trying to figure out where to start.
"Yes, he's very weak and a little bit confused, but he seems to have his main physical capabilities intact," Klaus said, and she only nodded.
"I can't, Klaus, I can't go there. I'm not ready. I don't even know if he wants me there," she said, as she started to cry.
"You don't have to go there if you don't want, sweetheart, take your time. The important thing now is that he woke up," he crouched in front of her, propping his hands on her knees.
"It's just, I've always thought he didn't love me, you know. But now I know he just didn't love me enough to face my off with my mother," she admitted, looking away slightly.
"Hey, hey, don't go there. I don't know anything about the guy, but I'm sure leaving you behind must have hurt him a lot,"
"Still he chose to leave me,"
"I can't understand how someone could ever think of leaving you, love. It's impossible not to love you, Care," he used the nickname all their friends used. It was rare for him to call her that, and she honestly preferred his own pet names for her.
"I'm never anyone's first choice," she said in low voice, "They either choose their careers, a new family or even an old family over me. I'm always the one that is left behind or left sitting in the corner. I don't want to have great expectations of what will happen from now on, only to be scorned again. I'm tired of being rejected. I'm exhausted." she cried harder, leading Klaus to pull her against his body.
"I would never choose anyone over you, sweetheart. You've been so compassionate towards me; you've chosen me over Bonnie and Stefan even if you did it by not choosing anyone. You've been there for me. I'll always be there for you, Caroline," he said softly, as he stroked her hair.
"Thank you," Caroline whispered, thinking of his words. He had been proving them true, even if in just a short space of time. He had been there for her constantly and many times without her asking. He was a good friend, and when he said things like this Caroline wished he was more. She had vowed not to sleep with him because she valued their friendship, but when he said such perfect words she wished they were more.
She wasn't in love with him. Maybe physically attracted, at the most, but being attracted to Klaus was almost a given. Not only he was absolutely handsome, but also very charming, not only with his sexy accent, but also in the way he looked, he touched her, he walked. Everything about him screamed charm. But maybe it was a good thing she wasn't in love with him. Klaus also screamed heartbreak and she knew he wasn't a relationship kind of guy. But when he spoke to her like this she had to actually remind herself that she shouldn't fall for him. Hearing his sweet and comforting voice – emphasized by his accent – made her heart flutter. But she had too much on her plate already do deal with developing romantic feelings for her womanizer roommate.
Her shift had already ended, but there was one more thing Katherine had to do. She checked the surgery board, to find Elijah. He was there with another couple of residents, and taking a deep breath she walked towards his office. His routine was reliable, he'd always return to his office before heading home. Sometimes he would do paperwork, but most time he would use to check missed messages or go over the following day's schedule.
It took him nearly two hours, but he finally entered his office, wanting nothing more than to go home. He had been working almost non-stop for the past thirty-six hours. And right now, if he was to be able to continue working tomorrow, he would need sleep more than anything else. Which is why he was so unprepared for what awaited him in his office; this was not on his schedule.
"Hi," Katherine said quietly from his couch.
"Dr. Pierce, it's a surprise to see you here, I thought you would have already left," he offered, looking slightly uneasy.
"I'm not here as a resident, Elijah. I'm here as Katherine," she clarified, and he swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat.
"Okay," he simply said, locking the door behind him, before taking a seat in his chair, opposed to sitting close to her on the couch.
Katherine, in a rare display of humility, looked down, and offered him a small smile.
"These last couple of days have been pretty intense," she said, and he nodded softly, in agreement, not knowing what to say or what to expect. The Katherine he knew would never look for him or show any sign of weakness. The woman sitting across him looked so small. A stranger under familiar skin.
"I don't think I've ever seen so many people dying before," she admitted, her eyes teary, and her lips quivering.
"I've been through a couple of catastrophes before, but this has been the most serious," he offered, still somewhat lost and confused.
"Caroline operated on her father for an hour without realizing who he really was," Katherine offered, the first tear rolling down her face. It was the first time Elijah had seen her cry and he wanted nothing more than to go to her, and comfort her in his arms. He would do just that if he knew that that was what she wanted or needed. But things with Katherine were never easy. She was a complex woman, and she didn't react like the average person. She was a mystery for him even after living with her for a few months and being in a relationship for almost a year.
"But the man was also a stranger to her. He hasn't been her father for twenty-four years, and she's was hurting. The thing, well, what I'm trying to say is that we can't help how we feel about people. We can't help who we love, even if they don't deserve our feelings," she offered a sarcastic smile, or tried to, as her tears made it just a sad attempt to address the irony of her words.
"I know how it feels. To feel like your father is anything but your father. I'm an only child and since I was eight my own father had been abusing me sexually. I didn't know what to do at first, because he's a respected politician in Los Angeles, but when I was ten I approached my mother and tried to tell her. I couldn't bring myself to say it clearly, but even being a child I noticed half way through our conversation that she had known it all along and had never done anything. She said she would talk to him, but if she did, it never changed anything," Katherine explained, her tears intensifying, as she finally opened up to the man she still loved.
"He didn't abuse me in a routinely way. Sometimes he spent months without touching me, appropriately or not. But sometimes he came for me more than once a week. I was very… petite as a child, and I'm somewhat thankful for that because he didn't start touching me until I was fourteen. Before that time he would make me take off my clothes — he'd make me touch myself, while he touched himself.
"Then he started touching me. I was fourteen when it got worse, and it was when I finally decided that I was going to the cops, but my mother wouldn't let me. Instead she sent me to boarding school, saying that she was already risking a lot by sending me away from him," Katherine continued, and Elijah felt sick to his stomach. He was aggravated by her words, in a way that he couldn't even react. He wanted to find this sick man that had broken his own daughter and kill him with his bare hands. Elijah was far from a violent man, and he had only truly felt this way once before. Katherine had no idea how close to home her story hit him.
"I've never lived with my parents since. Once I finished boarding school I went straight to UCLA. I lived in the dorms, even over holiday breaks instead of going home. I even lived in them through pre-med and med-school. I can count the times I've seen my parents since then on both my hands. Even though I didn't stay at home for the holidays I would visit, but only on the rare occasion, most of them while I was still in high school. You know, they didn't even come to any of my graduations. I don't even know if they're aware I'm in New York now," she bit her lip, wiping the tears that were now less intense.
"But yesterday, when Caroline realized it was her father fighting for his life, she didn't want him to die, because he was still her father, even if he had never really been one to her. Then I realize if it was my father there, between life and death, I wouldn't want him to die. I've hated him since the first night he asked me to take my clothes off for him. But he's still my father. She said that every day she hoped Grayson would show up and ask for forgiveness, regretting his actions. I didn't realize until then that I have the same feeling. I'm still waiting for my father to regret what he's done to me, and ask for my forgiveness, even if I can't bring myself to forgive him."
"I don't want to hate my father and I don't want to lose him either. I guess the only thing I really want is for us to be a family again, somehow. I mean… if your parents can't love you, who's to say that anybody else could, right?" her voice cracked and this time Elijah didn't stop himself. He walked around the desk, and taking her in his arms, he brought the broken woman to sit on his lap while he sat on the couch.
"I'm so sorry, Katherine, I really am," he said, but he knew it wasn't enough. It wasn't enough for him to say those words as much as it wasn't enough for her to hear them.
"And then I thought, this wasn't something only Caroline and I along share. I thought of you. I thought of you and Klaus and your family. I don't know what he did to you and to your family, Elijah, but you don't know if he's going to be here tomorrow, and if he dies or goes away to a place where you can't find him, you'll regret it." she spoke more confidently.
But truth was Elijah had been thinking about the exact same thing even before he had found Katherine in his office. As doctors they got used to dealing with death on a daily basis, especially as surgeons. It was a horrible thing to admit, but the impact and the brutality of seeing a life end, fades away as the years pass for doctors, and although one case or another does touch them from time to time, death was usually routine. But then something huge like the accident happens, and they awaken and see past the gauze. They notice again that death is the most tragic and brutal thing in life. And that made him thankful that he still had a brother, alive, working at the same place as him. He knew by experience just because they were young didn't mean they couldn't die. He knew he could lose yet another member of his family any day. And Katherine had been right. If he lost Klaus before even trying to forgive him, he wouldn't forgive himself for the rest of his life.
"You're right," he answered, quietly.
"I love you, 'Lijah. I've never stopped. And I was too proud to beg you to take me back, to beg you to reconsider your decision, but I'm not now. Not anymore," she started, but was interrupted by him.
"Please, Katherine," he slipped his fingers to her lips, sealing them, "Don't say anything else, I don't want to listen you say those words," his voice was soft, but still it broke her to know Caroline wasn't right. He didn't love her anymore, but she wasn't mad on her best friend for deluding her to think so. She was happy she had opened her heart to him, even if only to be rejected. It felt liberating.
"I don't want you to beg me, when, if there was anyone that should be begging, it's me," he offered looking at her eyes about to feel his own releasing the tears he had been so bravely holding.
"I wish there was something I could do to make us be back together," she said against his fingers, more tears falling from her eyes, "I don't want the people I love away from me — and you, Elijah, are the one I love the most," she admitted before the feel of his lips replaced his fingertips. It wasn't anything grand, but it was full of reassurance and comfort. Something they both needed at the moment.
"I'll talk to Alaric, tomorrow, first thing in the morning. I'll ask for a meeting with the board of directors, I'll agree to any demands they ask, as long as I can be with you. I made a mistake, Kat. I chose the easy way out. I chose what I knew was certain, what depended on only me to be kept. I've made a mistake, but if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I want to fix it. I want to be with you. It's the only thing I really want and what I really need," he pleaded, his eyes red and shining with unshed tears.
"I love you," she answered, hugging him with all her strength while she finally broke down, sobbing against his hard body while the pain that had been consuming her for the past two days finally exploded. But now she had him. Now he would be there for her and it made things much easier and it made her stronger because she had just discovered that allowing yourself to be vulnerable, to show weakness, makes you the strongest person in the world.
Caroline had asked Klaus to thank Elena for letting her know about Grayson, but that had been it. The resident didn't go to her father that day. Klaus was on call again – Katherine had asked him to change with her – and he had filled Caroline in about her father's condition as soon as Isobel had updated his charts and ran a few tests.
They were still waiting another twenty-four hours before clearing any immediate complications. Another surgery was going to be needed, but they didn't want to risk having another major surgery too soon. Luckily, his body was reacting well, and there wouldn't be any setbacks.
The following day Caroline had been thankful to be under Elijah's services. It was always a busy day if you were a heart surgeon, and that allowed her to focus on something other than her constant thoughts. But now that they had finished two operations, finished their rounds and post-ops, she didn't have much to do with Elijah for the remaining two hours of her shift. She wanted nothing more than to have her father ask for her, but she tried to keep her expectations low. He hadn't asked for her in twenty-four years, she shouldn't expect that to change just because of his near death experience. Or maybe that was when she actually should expect it.
"Dr. Forbes?" someone called her from behind.
Caroline turned, and her heart stopped in her chest when she realized who it was.
"Mrs. Forbes," Caroline answered politely.
"I was wondering if you had five minutes?" Miranda asked politely.
"I'm not in Mr. Forbes case anymore, Mrs. Forbes," Caroline tried to dodge, but the mature woman wouldn't allow her to escape so easily.
"I don't want to talk about your former patient, Dr. Forbes, I actually want to talk about my husband, my children's father, your father," the woman sounded sweet and warm, and Caroline didn't know what to say. She had been too emotionally drained to try and figure out an excuse.
"Sure, let's go to the cafeteria, we can have a little more of privacy there," Caroline sighed, offering a resigned smile.
"Dr. Saltzman said the worst is gone and Grayson should probably lead to a successful recovery," the woman said as they walked.
"I'm very glad to know it," Caroline answered honestly.
"He's asked about you," the woman said, surprising Caroline by addressing the elephant in the room so early in their conversation.
"Oh," was all she could say.
At that exact moment the women crossed paths with Klaus, who had looked at her with a hint of concern on his face. Her phone vibrated with a new message even before the two women reached the cafeteria.
Need rescue? – he simply asked, and she smiled at her phone. He could read her mind, it seemed, but she decided to be brave.
Not yet - she typed back, while she and Miranda waited for their coffees.
"Caroline, I don't even know how to look at you. I feel like I'm partially responsible for you losing your father and for that I'm sorry. I've never been opposed to the idea of him being a part of your life, especially after Elena was born. I could only imagine how sad it must have been for you not to have your dad. But I must confess, I never really encouraged him to do something about it. I've been neglectful not only about your happiness, but also about the man I love's happiness. I knew he needed help, my support, and I've failed him, and for that I'm sorry," Miranda offered, leaving Caroline at a loss of how to respond. She had never expected Miranda to apologize for her share of blame.
"But I hope to be able to fix some of my mistakes now. He deserves a chance, Caroline. He's the villain in your story, but he's also a victim. The victim of terrible circumstances, poor decisions, and unfortunate events. He's an amazing man, and he's a great father, but although I could never say that to my children, I can tell you, with all honesty, that although he has been great for Elena, Meredith and Jeremy I know he held back because of you. He never embraced his role as their father completely. I don't know if it was out of guilt, or bitterness, because although he has been there for them, he had also been distant. And once again I proved to be selfish. I saw it happening and I knew what I could do to fix it. But I also knew how very difficult it would be to face your mother, and I didn't want my children to be jealous or feel threatened. He loves you, Caroline, and I don't have a right to ask you this, but he deserves a chance."
"He can't make up for the years he had been absent, he can't turn back time, but both of you can change the future. He can walk you to the aisle when you get married, he can be there for you when you finally end your residency, he can be there for you when you become a mother, he can give you advice, he can be your father, if you ever need one. It's up to you," Miranda said with teary eyes that held hope, guilt and compassion.
"I'll think about it," Caroline said, and that was the best she could offer to anyone at the moment.
AN: Kalijah! I want to hear from their fans. I know it's not like Katherine (in this story) to say those things, but I wanted to emphasize how an accident like that can affect people. It affected Caroline, Katherine, Elijah and others deeply.
Erin has pointed out she wanted a more unapologetic and stronger Caroline. My stories are always characters' journeys. Expect to see most of those characters change a lot throughout it. They will grow, they'll learn from their mistakes, they'll end better than they started. She has serious abandonment issues not only about her father, but also because of her mother and lately Mason. She's insecure, she has self-esteem issues and combined with her forgiving and kind persona, it makes her weak at times. It will change, but as everything in life, it takes time.
And she started thinking of Klaus like something more (can I hear a roar of applause? use the bottom below to show them :P) and although feelings wise this will still be more focused on Klaus, I'll show a bit of Caroline's side here and there.
Next chapter is so amazing (sorry if I'm biased). Klaus is there for Caroline in so many beautiful (and stressful) ways. It's one of my faves. And the Elena-phant in the room will finally be addressed. And two people will be kissing - not for the first time for them, but for the first time for you. And we'll have maintenance problems.
Now, I would love some reviews, and I want to thank my reviewers, the people who added this story to their faves and alerts and my lovely beta, Erin.
Have a nice weekend you all.
xoxo