The week before Caroline arrives is quiet. Elena drinks wine with Elijah and they both avoid asking questions they don't want answers to.
"How long have you known Caroline?" Elijah asks the night before Caroline's due in Mystic Falls. Elena bites her lip, trying to think of when they first met.
"Our parents were friends before we were born, so we technically met when we were babies. I think I've always known Caroline," Elena answers as her phone beeps. Elena reads the text.
"Caroline wants to do lunch tomorrow-and is on a mission to meet everyone new in Mystic Falls just in case. That's like 5 people including Klaus," Elena says.
"If she wants to meet Klaus, we can arrange that," Elijah says. Elena nods, at least if they arrange it, Caroline won't be alone with him.
"Caroline, this is Elijah. Elijah, Caroline," Elena says, and Caroline raises an eyebrow at her.
"Elijah, I need to borrow Elena for a moment," Caroline says as she drags Elena to the bathroom. Elijah shoots her a concerned look but Elena waves it off, she'll be fine.
"You didn't mention he was insanely hot," Caroline accuses as the bathroom door closes.
"He's also funny, smart, and nice," Elena adds. She almost laughs at the fact Caroline wanted them to talk in the bathroom so Elijah wouldn't hear them-she's pretty sure he can.
"So he's like the perfect soulmate for you? Did you two already plan out your future library and baby names? Any kids you have with that man will be perfect, that's for sure. Seriously, you lucked out in the soulmate department. He's like a proper gentleman. And we have to meet his brother. Is he cute too?" Caroline asks. Elena shrugs, she's not a fan of Klaus.
"I kind of only have eyes for Elijah, you know. But you'll probably find him cute," Elena decides to say. It's the best answer, she can't say she won't have kids, that they've had their issues, that Elijah and Klaus are vampires.
"I just want to cover all of my bases. Now let's go back and have lunch, I'm starving," Caroline says. Elena laughs. It's nice to see that some things never change.
"Elijah, Elena," Klaus says, Elena shifts closer to his brother as he speaks.
"You must be Caroline," Klaus says, looking at her with those calculating blue eyes. Elena watches Caroline smile at him and she wonders why Elijah and Elena both avoided talking about Klaus at lunch-he's hot and mysterious.
"I'm Caroline Forbes," she says and frowns. Klaus furrows his brow slightly.
"Most people don't frown after introducing themselves. Something wrong, love?" Klaus asks, interested eyes focused on her.
"Hey, do me a favor? Try and lie," Caroline requests.
"I have blue eyes," Klaus says and stares at Caroline. It hits him a second later.
"We can't lie to each other so we're soulmates," Caroline realizes, giddy with excitement.
"Elena! We're going to be sisters!" Caroline hugs her tightly, and Elena shoots daggers at Klaus over her friend's shoulder. Being related to Bonnie or Caroline was one of their big dreams as kids-dread replaces the excitement she thought she'd feel years ago.
"Hurt her and I will kill you," Elena mouths at him. Klaus just grins, like he won the lottery. Elijah's hand finds hers after Caroline breaks away, a reminder that he's there.
Elena manages to come up with an excuse to leave, they should go see Caroline's mom-she's been at work since Caroline got back.
Elijah pours the wine and Elena accepts a glass.
"What if he hurts her?" Elena asks after taking a sip. Elijah shakes his head. She's angry, tired and worried, and is thankful Elijah has good taste in wine. Despite everything, she's sure she wouldn't want anyone else next to her with all of the drama in her life.
"Klaus is many things, but he's not a fool. He's not going to harm his soulmate," Elijah says. Elena takes another drink as he sits next to her, thinking about their day.
"He's going to have to tell her that he's a hybrid. And then she'll be in the same boat I'm in," Elena realizes and swears. On top of everything else, Elena's pretty sure Jeremy's keeping a secret, he's been out late too.
"She mentioned your friend Bonnie-she's Bonnie Bennett, yes?" Elijah asks.
"Yeah, why?" Elena turns to look at him fully.
"She might be a witch," Elijah answers, and Elena tries not to choke on her wine. It's going to be a long week.
