Chapter 14

Third Person POV

"This is the exact location where Anderson Forbes, the headmaster of Forbes University, was involved in an accident with another vehicle due to overbearing paparazzi. Our sources say that Mr. Forbes is in critical condition at the University hospital. Police have yet to make a statement about the accident, but it appears that the paparazzi are at fault. The other driver has managed to escape from the scene unharmed. I'm Ashley Cole from Fox News live in Tennessee, back to you Jonathan."

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"It seems like there's a little trouble in paradise. Brother and sister Caroline and Kol Forbes seemed to be enjoying their day wreaking havoc in Los Angeles, however it seems like their day is about to get significantly worse. In a tragic event similar to the one of the late Princess Diana a couple of years back, their grandfather Anderson Forbes was the victim of a horrible crashing landing him in critical condition.

So if you live in Nashville, you can expect a flood of celebs landing in the next few hours. Send your pictures and videos of your sightings to and we might show them during the show. I'm Karen for Hollywood Insider, back to you Steve."

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"Thousands of university students will be keeping Anderson Forbes in their prayers tonight, the headmaster was well loved by all his family members and students. Forbes is currently in critical condition at the university hospital, most of his family members and good friends will be flying in as soon as possible. We ask all of you on and off campus to add this wonderful man to your prayers tonight. I'm Sarah whitely for the late night Forbes University Newscast.

Caroline POV

Kol and I haven't said a word to each other since Ana's call. In fact, I doubt that we had spoken at all unless absolutely necessary. We both needed to be left alone to our own thoughts. During the drive to LAX, I had called grandfather's personal assistant. To say I was livid that the paparazzi had found yet another way to ruin our lives was enough to send me into overdrive. Will grandfather die from this? I doubt it, he's a fighter and mother had always been very dramatic.

"He'll be fine Care," whispers Kol before pulling me towards him. I snuggle into my brother as much as the airplane seats in first class allow me to. "We should land soon sis, don't fret." I sigh and let go of my brother's hand to wrap the blanker I had tighter around me. Neither of us had bothered to change out of our restaurant clothes.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your seats to an upright sitting position and bring your trays to their initial fastened position as we are beginning to land in Nashville. Thank you."

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Un-fucking-believable, we haven't already gotten near the hospital doors and already there's too much paparazzi for our limo to pass through. Do they not know their boundaries? Is this legal?

"Care? I think we'll have to run it."

I was about to agree with Kol when the limo driver turned around with wide eyes. "You can't! How will you make it to the hospital doors?" My brother and I send the driver identical shrugs of indifference before throwing a bill up at him and grabbing our suitcases and both opening our respecting doors.

I'm suddenly blinded by powerful light. I can no longer see my eyes close in order to regain strength. People are screaming and shouting things, my ears soon tune out everything and I feel like I'm floating in a big wide space of nothing.

Someone grabs my hand, I can't see whom, but suddenly I'm running, pushing and shoving. Sometime during this process, I will myself to open my eyes and see that it's Kol's hand that I'm holding. My eyes widen at the amount of paparazzi that are around us. I haven't seen this many since … well, actually, I've never seen this many. That's saying a lot.

Don't these people have families they need to get to? Are they really that desperate for a picture? I shake my head and keep running, grateful to see a swarm of bodyguards standing at the bottom of the stairs to the hospital entrance. With their help, Kol and I run inside and towards the receptionist that suddenly looks like she wishes she could be working anywhere but here.

"Anderson Forbes, what room is he in?"

"I'm sorry, only family members and close friends to Mr. Forbes are allowed to be in his waiting chamber." The redhead receptionists recites without looking up from her computer, as if she's had to say this a million times today.

I snap my head up in shock. "Are you daft? We're his grandkids!"

The receptionist snaps her head up, a bitter look on her face and her eyes widen in shock. "I-I'm so sorry-"

"You should be," snarls Kol, his eyes flashing like I've never seen them do before.

"Umm, I-"

"Hurry up," I snap irritated with this idiot sitting before me.

"Second door on the left on the third floor."

Kol and I run to the elevator and wait not so patiently for the familiar ding that would signal the door opening. It's clear that the atmosphere between the two of us had changed drastically once we spotted just how many paparazzi were outside.

Once the door opens, we rush out and into the waiting chamber.

Oh no.

I can't remember the last time that we had all these family members together in the same room. Mother walks up to us with tears in her eyes and throws her arms around Kol and I. We say nothing and simply hold her close.

"We've all spoken to him," she whispers sadly. "He wants to see the two of you." I nod and swallow thickly before following my brother into the hospital room. The man who had once been the most elegant man I've ever known looked almost imaginary. Grandfather was pale as a ghost. His white hair, usually well coiffed, was limp across his face. I choke back a sob and his eyes flew open and this time my sob couldn't be contained. His eyes were broken, lifeless, as if he was just hanging on to life at this point.

His eyes gaze past me and land on Kol, and I realize suddenly that this is the first time that they have seen each other since Kol graduated from boarding school. I frown as the two simply stare at each other with cold eyes. Grandfather coughs heavily and Kol rushes to him and falls to his knees sobbing.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I failed you; I've always failed you. I'm a disappointment to the family, I'm sorry," Kol whispers through sobs and reaches out to grab Grandfather's hand.

"No, boy. You've always made me proud, I'm so proud of you. Don't let me down, Kol. Be you, be a Forbes. That's all I've ever wanted from you and that's all you've ever done. I am proud of you son." The two embrace and I put my hand over my hand and whimper into it, attempting to quiet myself.

Kol stands and gives me a hard hug before leaving, closing the door behind him. Grandfather looks at me and sighs. "Oh, Caroline."

With those five syllables my wall breaks and I launch myself at my grandfather and sob into his chest. "Don't cry child, I love you, please don't cry. You've always been my favorite, my little angel that's what you are. All I need for you is to just be what you know, don't try to change yourself. You are who you are."

I nod my head in agreement and kiss my grandfathers cheek. "Grandfather? Why does this sound like a goodbye?"

"I don't have much time, Carebear. I was waiting for you and Kol to say goodbye, it's my time to go. I trust you, I believe in you; I'll always be watching over you Care, don't let me down. I love you."

My eyes widen in shock. "No! No! Grandfather, I love you! You can't go, you can't-"

My screaming is momentarily cut off by a steady beep from the heart monitor, now showing a straight never ending line. I clutch at my grandfather's shirt and scream and cry and shout. The room fills with doctors and I find myself losing all composure. Two arms wrap around me and lift me to bring me back to the waiting chamber. Without seeing, or caring who it is that's holding me, I wrap my arms around the person's neck and allow myself to completely let go in this man's arms.

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Miley Cyrus

Wow. I'm so saddened by this news. My heart goes out to the Forbes. #RIPAndersonForbes

Katherine Petrova

I don't even know what to say right no... I'm speechless, really. #RIPAndersonForbes

Forbes University

Today, we have lost an amazing man. This university will never be the same. #RIPAndersonForbes beloved professor and headmaster

Barack Obama

Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Anderson Forbes, he was truly an amazing man.

Kanye West

Damn. A legend has died today but he shall not be forgotten #RIPAndersonForbes

Niklaus Mikaelson

#RIPAndersonForbes god has taken you too soon sir, all my respect and deepest condolences. This is a real tragedy.

Caroline Forbes

I love you grandfather, forever and always you shall be in my heart.

Kol Forbes

Life will never be the same again. It's time to grow up.

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"At 3:03 am today, a great man has left this world. Anderson Forbes, headmaster of Forbes University and one of the richest men on earth has passed away after a fatal car crash right in front of the university gates. Despite all the efforts made, nothing could be done and Forbes opted to not go through surgery but to spend his last few hours with his family.

A huge memorial ceremony and parade of sorts will be taking place today in Houston at noon. The event is open to the public until three. For more information, head to our website. I'm John Addams, back to you Mandy."

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"Caroline, please sit still."

I nod robotically as my hair gets pulled, twirled and pinned back tightly. Three people were doing my hair and two were applying makeup onto my face. I was wearing a tight dark blue corset and stockings. I wasn't allowed to wear my dress until they were done with my hair and makeup.

Once they finished, I walked to where my mother was waiting for me holding a huge poufy blue dress. "Aren't funeral dresses supposed to be black?"

"Yes. This is for the parade, Caroline. You'll change when we get to the church. I sigh and step into the dress. Mother starts lacing up the back, tightly might I add, and hands me a pair of velvet elbow length gloves to wear.

I step back and look into the mirror. The strapless bust was garnished with diamonds that could also be fond on the skirt of the dress. The dress was huge, I felt like a little princess. "All the girls are wearing this exact dress- its tradition."

I nod and leave the room to meet up with my brother before this crazy parade was to start. In the waiting room, most of my cousins and uncles were seated and talking amongst themselves.

"Care you look like Cinderella," squeals my 5-year old cousin Eric. I bend down to see him eye to eye. "Thank you cutie," I kiss him gingerly on the cheek and raise myself back to full height. Eric grabs my hand and I hold it tightly, as if this little boy is my lifeline to get through the day.

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Anonymous POV

At precisely noon, an extensive marching band starts to parade down the streets, followed by US army troops. A few Forbes's start walking behind the troops, the older ones. All the females seem to be wearing a huge dark blue ball gown, while the males are simply wearing an elegant suit and tie.

A sleek black limo follows the elder Forbes's and I realize that the late Andrew Forbes is in the limo. I take off my hat and place it on my chest to as a sign of respect.

All the younger Forbes kids walk elegantly after the limo. I stare at them in shock; they've all just lost their grandfather yet none of them are crying. The only sign of any emotional pain is the blank look in their startling blue eyes and the way most of them are holding hands a little too tightly. They're wearing the same elegant outfits as the rest of their family and I shake my head at how frightening the looks in their eyes were.

A full marine base and a full orchestra follow the kids and soon the parade is over. The parade leads them into the 'First Methodist Church'. I'm thankful, though I've never really liked that family much, to be able to pay my respects. One thing is for sure; those haunted, cold looks on those kids' faces will never leave my mind.

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Caroline POV

I had changed out of the huge ball gown and was now only wearing a black knee-length dress. The public part of the ceremony had ended a while ago and now we were only friends and family. I was happy for that fact; we could finally be ourselves without worrying about what others thought of us.

"Caroline!"

I turn my head to see Katherine. I gape at her before running into her arms, and hugging her tightly. Every time I had ever been upset since I had left New York comes back to mind and I allow myself to let a few tears escape as I bury my head into her hair.

I hold Katherine's hand the whole time during the ceremony. We keep the ceremony traditional with numerous hymns and prayers. No one is asked to go say a word. Everyone however has a chance to go one by one and whisper something to Grandfather before they close the casket.

When it's my turn, I go and sit quietly, finally letting my tears stream down my face. "I love you grandfather, you'll forever be in my heart. I'll never let you down. I'll make you proud until the day I die. One day we'll be together again, until then I'll live up to your legacy. I wish you could stay, I hope you're happy wherever you are with grandmother. I'm glad you two are together again. I love you both with all my heart."

I get up and make my way to the end of the church, surprised to see who's waiting for me with a solemn face. "Caroline? Can I talk to you, please?"

"Not now, Klaus." His beautiful face stares at me intently, his ice blue eyes probing me, begging for a chance to recite a paragraph of perfectly rehearsed lies, and I'm sure.

"Care .." he leans over and holds my arms, I choke back a sob, unable to deal with the rush of unwanted emotions. I whimper quietly as he pulls me towards him and I attempt lamely to push him away.

"Get your fucking hands off my sister before I rip them off your body."

Klaus is ripped out of my arms and a loud crunch is heard as Kol repeatedly swings his fist at Klaus's face. "Stop! Just stop," I yell alarmed at the scene we've created. Klaus wasn't fighting back. Why wasn't he fighting back? I give the two boys one last look before running out of the church.

Great, it's raining. I reach into my boot and pull out a cigarette and light it quickly, making my way down the church steps. The raindrops mask my tears and the moment I exit the archway of the church, I'm bombarded my paparazzi. I glance at them blankly, unaware of what they want me to do or say.

How can they still be hounding me on the day of my Grandfather's funeral? "Leave me alone; stop, and go, you've done enough!" I start to yell frantically. "Why don't you leave us alone? Why can't you mind your own business? We're human beings just like you! Go! Please, just leave my family and me alone!" I'm shrieking now, tears streaming down my face. My hair and dress are damp and I'm sure my mascara is running.

Kol appears in front of me and pulls me to his chest. I listen to the beat of his heart to calm myself down. Kol pets my hair and takes away my cigarette; he takes care of me, as every big brother should.

"Hey, I missed that can you guys do it again?"

Kol starts to shake in fury; I see his eyes flash and jump back in surprise. He glares at the mass of paparazzi. "Haven't you all done enough? Fuck off," he roars, the sound echoing throughout the hall.

I grab Kol's hand and pull him towards our family car. We sit there for a few hours, not saying anything just waiting for our parents to come in the car. In the end, we are being in to drift off into a happy place with no cameras, deaths or sadness.

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