CAROLINE'S POV:
I pulled into the driveway of the cabin and brought my car to a stop, switching off the engine and unbuckling my seatbelt, smiling at Mom as we both climbed out of the car…
"This place never changes, does it?" she asked as we walked towards it
"Nope, not a bit." I replied as we descended the steps "Do you remember the last time we were here?"
She nodded her head as I unlocked and opened the door… "You, me and John. Memorial Day weekend."
"That was one of the best times of my life." I admitted as we made our way into the kitchen and plugged the kettle in, pulling out the jar of coffee that I'd brought with me as well as some other bits
"What can I do?" Mom inquired
"Sit down." I replied, motioning to the table "You're still not 100%."
STEFAN'S POV:
I made my way back to the booth John and I had acquired after getting us two beers and ordering us some food. Sitting opposite him, I took a sip of my drink…
"So, you and Caroline…" he began
"What about me and Caroline?" I questioned
"I know you know I'm not her real Dad, but I love her and her Mom more than anything." he informed me
"I know that." I replied "Why are you telling me this?"
"Just so you know that if you ever hurt Caroline, I'll be there." he admitted "Do you get what I'm talking about?"
I nodded my head… "I'd never hurt her though, not intentionally."
"I'm glad we're on the same page." he replied
CAROLINE'S POV:
Sitting down opposite Mom at the table after organising our drinks, I sighed heavily…
"What's wrong?" she questioned
"I'm scared," I admitted "I think a part of me wishes I wasn't doing this."
"You're not backing out, are you?" she inquired
I shook my head, signalling no… "These are last minute nerves, that's all."
She smiled at me warmly… "Do you remember the lake incident?"
"How could I forget?" I asked "I just wish I'd had my camera with me. John emerged soaking wet, bless him."
"And all because he ran in after Bouncer," she chuckled "God, I miss that dog."
"Me too." I replied, smiling at her weakly "You should get a new dog…"
"No one could ever replace him." she admitted
STEFAN'S POV:
"It's gonna be weird…" John admitted
"Knowing Caroline's a vampire?" I questioned
He nodded his head… "I thought it was all mythical to be honest."
"I wish it was. That way I might never have met Caroline and she wouldn't be going through all of this." I informed him
"You're not going to back out on her, are you?" he questioned
I shook my head… "She wouldn't let me even if I tried. I just wish she wasn't so damn determined all the time."
"That's Caroline for you;" he replied "she takes after her Mom for that."
CAROLINE'S POV:
"Look what I've found…" I proclaimed as I walked back into the kitchen, photo albums in hand
"Where were they?" Mom asked as I sat down next to her
"In the living room." I informed her as I opened the first one, a warm smile appearing on my face as I was greeted by a picture of me, her and Dad together on the beach
"Do you remember that day?" Mom questioned
I shook my head… "I wish I did though."
"I wish you did too," she admitted "in fact, I wish you remembered your Dad. He adored you, Caroline, and he loved you so much."
I entwined her hand with mine as I turned the page… "This I remember."
"Karaoke, of course you do." she replied "You couldn't get enough of the mic."
I smiled at her warmly… "The word show-off springs to mind."
"How about we go for a walk?" she suggested "Make some new memories, just you and me?"
"I'd like that." I admitted
Shutting the photo album as I stood up, I made my way out of the cabin, Mom shutting and locking the door behind us, my arm linking through hers as we began to walk away…
Caroline and her Mum are reminiscing, and Stefan has been warned by John…