"The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for."

— Fyodor Dostoyevsky; The Brothers Karamazov


Fay insists that she needs a Bachelorette party.

Leah thinks that's rubbish, but Caroline latches onto the idea immediately, and when her maid of honor and sister/photographer both back the idea, they're pretty formidable. Leah finally gives in, with certain stipulations.

Not an enormous abundance of alcohol, and no raunchiness. Because while Leah has never actually been to or had a bachelorette party before, she remembers movies from high school and giggles among friends, and she promised herself long ago that she was done with that kind of thing. Plus keeping with her theme of distancing herself from what was, and starting over fresh and new. Not that she thinks any of the girls would pull something like that, but it's good to have all bases covered.

Caroline has commandeered a whole section of the Grille for the evening, and the girls have it all to themselves. Matt points Leah and Fay towards the tables. Leah met Matt through Caroline, and he has babysat Grace and Malachi on the few occasions Caroline wasn't available. "Congrats," he says. "See you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Matt," Leah says.

Fay links arms with her and tugs her towards the group of girls already there. "The party can start now, we're here!" she says loudly.

Leah laughs as Caroline hands her a tiara. "The bride to be deserves to be a queen tonight," Caroline declares. "Though I'm sure Elijah could get you a real one if you wanted."

Leah blushes. He probably could get her several.

One of their pre-wedding conversations was about money and resources and property, and she had seen the figures on his bank account. She has no idea what to do with that kind of money, and has thanked the Lord over and over that her fiancé is not extravagant. She made it clear that she didn't want her children spoiled by the knowledge or the products of that money, and he agreed. There would be stability and resources for them, but it wouldn't turn into a crutch.

Elena and Bonnie sit at one end of the table, and Rebekah at the other. Leah made it clear to Caroline that she wanted all the girls to be there and that she wanted a tension-free night. Caroline must have passed the message on, because while there certainly isn't a happy-go-lucky feeling emanating from the girls, there are certainly no glares being thrown. She's grateful.

Caroline sits down between Rebekah and Bonnie, and Fay and Leah sit down across from them.

"Here, apparently you're supposed to wear this," Rebekah says, handing Leah a pink sash emblazoned with "Bride To Be."

"Really?" Leah says, putting it on. "Anything else?"

"Well, there was this bib thing that says 'feed me booze' but we decided against that," Caroline says, giggling.

"Thank you," Leah says, laughing in spite of herself.

"But you do have to have at least two drinks," Fay says. "I insisted," she tells the rest of the girls. "My sister the vampire has never gotten anywhere near tipsy."

"Yes, please, proclaim it to the entire population," Elena says, shooting wary looks at neighboring tables.
"I'm sure the population already knows," Rebekah drawls. "Mystic Falls is not known for keeping secrets well."

"Actually, your sister the human did, and it contributed to a great deal of bad decisions," Leah says, heading off that train of thought before it can get far. "So I don't like alcohol."

"Hey, you said drunk people were fun," Fay says, elbowing her.

Leah holds up a finger of contention. "I said they were fun to watch."

They all laugh, and Matt comes around with drinks.