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I'll see you in the future when we're older
And we are full of stories to be told.
Cross my heart and hope to die,
I'll see you with your laughter lines.

I'll see you in the future when we're old.

Bastille, "Laughter lines"

Epilogue 3: Memories are mapped out by the lines we'll trace.

Last night she had a dream.

She was with Jossie and Lizzie, Hope was there too. She was reading them a bedtime story about the origins of Mystic Falls. They talked about the Mikaelson family. And they talked about the Salvatore brothers. It was just inevitable.

But then the girls weren't little girls anymore.

"But my father will have peace this time around. And you too, right?"

"You're happier now, mom."

Perhaps it's because they are back to Mystic Falls, back to the Boarding House that's always meant to be her home.

Caroline decides to visit her mom's grave that morning, and takes pictures of her kids with her to show her to Liz.

"Look, this is Lizbeth, we named her after you. And this is Dante. He's turning one next week. Doesn't he look like you? But he has Stefan's eyes."

Her mother believed that, no matter if she was human or vampire, she could be extraordinary. Through the years she's tried her best to live up to her mom's highest hopes.

And, after all this time, she can say that life has treated her kindly.

"I wish you could meet them, mom. I still miss you so much. But you know, I'm very happy too."

Here she is, thirty-one years old, planning another Miss Mystic Falls but secretly wondering for how long she needs to prepare if she wants to run for mayor one day.

"I really need to know how they managed all these years to organize these big events without you?" Stefan asks, sitting behind her in the bed and leaning to kiss her bare shoulder.

"They probably did what they could. Not half as well, obviously."

The trail of kisses from her shoulder to her neck is distracting.

She bites her lips.

"Stefan, I really need to finish going over this list."

He raises an eyebrow.

"You do realize that Bonnie agreed to have BOTH kids for the whole night, and that's most likely not going to happen again?"

That's a very good point. But she really wants to use this chance to completely crush the people who talk behind their backs. She knows some of them even dare to whisper they are not human.

How does she look so young at that age?

Oh, if only they knew.

It takes a lot of work to keep an appearance that was once promised eternal youth. But not everyone can be Caroline Forbes-Salvatore.

"Caroline?"

She turns to glare at him.

"This is all your fault!"

He looks at her with confusion in his eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

She lies on top of him, supporting her weight with her elbows.

"All those thirsty women talk behind my back because of you, Mr. Salvatore." She lowers her voice until it becomes a whisper, "What do you have to say in your defense?"

Stefan licks his lips.

Usually he would have some smart-ass comeback about how she was the one on TV getting love letters from fans, but he's a man on a mission now.

"That I'm completely innocent, and you will show your superiority in the pageant and the founder's ball. But for the moment, can we enjoy the fact that we are completely alone for one night?" He runs his fingers through her hair.

What can he say? That look of love and adoration on his face always does it for her.

She grins and kisses him until all she sees is pink skies.

They have made precious new memories through the years, when it was just the two of them, when two became three, when three became four. There are also stories that sound way too different when told by their friends.

But sometimes, the memories of the beginning of their story, in spite of the tears and heartache and madness of their lives, are still the ones that make her wonder about the strength of their bond.

But a story that involves vampires, witches, werewolves and all kind of magic imaginable, how do you explain that story to your kids?

"Mom, how did you and dad meet?"

Lizzy is at the age where she's curious about this type of thing.

"I want to hear the story too!" Dante immediately follows his sister.

Caroline exchanges looks with Stefan, who up until now was pretty busy making the sauce for the lasagna.

"Well, I guess that depends." Caroline winks. "Do you want to hear his version or mine?"