CAROLINE'S POV:

"Mom's not gonna be happy…" I admitted as Stefan and I laid in bed as afternoon drew in on Mystic Falls, my back resting against his front as we laid under the covers, his fingertips stroking across my hand

"Why?" he questioned

"She's always wanted more than Whitmore for me…" I informed him

"But surely with her progressively getting worse, she knew you wouldn't just go off and leave her, right?" he inquired

"She wants me to start putting myself for a change instead of her." I admitted

"And what is she supposed to do if you do that?" he asked "Who would help her?"

"That's something you'd have to ask her." I informed him

STEFAN'S POV:

Caroline and I made our way downstairs to find Liz sat in the living room. Making our way through, Caroline picked the remote up from the coffee table and switched the TV off, inhaling and exhaling a breath as she turned to her Mom…

"What's going on?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at us

"We've got something to tell you." Caroline informed her

"Go ahead." she replied

"Stefan and I have been accepted to Whitmore." she admitted

"What?" Liz questioned

"We've been accepted to Whitmore, Liz." I informed her "And Caroline's told me that she knows you wanted more than that for her and that you want her to her put herself first, but given the situation, it's what makes sense."

"So you're both doing it for me?" she questioned "Stefan, you've proved to everyone just how bright you are. There's more out there for you both…"

"And we'll explore it when the time comes." Caroline replied "But for now, we're staying here and going to Whitmore in the Fall, and there's nothing you can do to change our mind."

"I know…" she sighed

CAROLINE'S POV:

"Now that's out of the way, it's time for you to tell Damon and Lily your decision…" I informed Stefan as we walked into the kitchen

"Tell us what?" Lily questioned

"I'll leave you to it." I admitted, pressing my lips against Stefan's cheek before leaving the room

STEFAN'S POV:

"What was Caroline talking about?" Damon asked, raising an eyebrow at me

"I made a decision when I was away," I informed them "about Mom... I've decided to cut her out of my life for good."

"How can you?" Lily inquired

"She's no good for me, Lil." I admitted "She's no good for any of us. We've given her chance after chance after chance and she's blown them all. I can't keep going around in circles, not when I've got my own life to lead."

"So you're giving up on her, to focus on a life with Caroline?" she questioned

I nodded my head… "I've spent years looking after her, covering for her and bailing her out. It stops now."

"You've been doing the same for us. Are we going to be next?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at me

"No!" I proclaimed "You are two of the most important people in my life; I'd never give up on you."

"So why are you giving up on Mom?" she inquired

"It's complicated." I admitted, sighing heavily

"That's all I get?" she asked "I'm not a little girl anymore, Stefan!"

"Where are you going?" I questioned as she moved past me to the door

"Out." she informed me

Sighing heavily as the door shut behind her, I turned to Damon… "Do you feel the same way as Lil?"

He shook his head… "I'm on your side. And Lil will come to see that eventually…"

"I know." I replied "But how much will she get hurt until that time comes?"

Damon shrugged his shoulders in reply and moved over to me, placing his hand on my shoulder… "All we can do is be there for her."

CAROLINE'S POV:

"I heard…" I admitted as Stefan walked into our bedroom a little while later "You okay?"

"No," he sighed as he sat down on the end of the bed "why won't she realise I'm only trying to do what's best for her?"

"Because you're her big brother; and right now she's going through the "I can do this on my own. I don't need anyone to look out for me." phase. She'll come around though, given time, you'll see." I informed him

"I just don't want her to get hurt…" he replied

"She's a big girl; she'll be okay." I assured him

"I just wish I knew where she'd gone so I could go after her…" I admitted

"Give her time to breathe." I replied "She'll come back when she's ready."

"What if…?" he began

"If anything happens, we'll deal with it, I promise." I informed him "Why don't we take a walk, help you clear your head?"

"Okay." he replied, smiling at me warmly "Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me." I admitted "It's what I'm here for."

Caroline and Stefan have told Liz about going to Whitmore in the Fall – what did you think to her reaction? And what about Lily's reaction to Stefan cutting ties with their Mum? Do you think Damon and Stefan have made the right decision?