Hello, my lovely readers! It's Valentine's Week and this chapter deals with the ups and downs of being in love. On with the show...
Chapter 21: Did I Mention I Love You?
Caroline Forbes had been home for a little over a week. She'd gone to New Orleans, gotten through her test, and come home, to find that she was still loved by her...Klaus—still could not wrap her mind around the husband thing—and her friends.
Speaking of her friends, she felt like this would be good week to get back in the groove of the gang. It felt like her people had been keeping a few things to themselves, and secrets were never good. They would eat away at you. And Caroline knew all about that. So, she felt it was important to find out they were hiding.
Walking into the Mystic Falls High library; Caroline offered the room a cheerful smile. Then she realized she was all alone. Where was everyone? Shouldn't it be an official meeting?
Apparently not. With a sigh, Caroline walked over to the closest table. Plopping down on it, she unzipped the front pocket of her bag. She snagged a package of powdery doughnuts and began to unwrap them. Might as well get something done while she waited.
The doors opened, as if on cue, and Tyler Lockwood came striding in. His head tilted upward and he sniffed the air. "Powdered doughnuts!" he cried. Making his way over to Caroline, he hopped onto the tabletop, and stared at her hand until Caroline groaned. She handed her part of her treat over to him. He continued to stare at her.
"Seriously, Ty?"
Tyler watched Caroline. She shook her head before pulling out more sugary goodness. Slapping the second doughnut into his open palm; she gave him a narrow-eyed look, daring him to ask for more.
Unfazed, Tyler popped both doughnuts into his mouth. Caroline's eyebrows rose while her friend barely chewed and swallowed. "Thank you," he said, kissing her cheek.
Rolling her eyes, Caroline popped a doughnut into her own mouth. Now, the doors opened, again, and Hayley Marshall came in. She did not look like herself. The sixteen-year-old had pulled her hair into a tight ponytail. No skirt. No whimsical T. Instead, she had donned a pair of loose jogging pants, and an over-sized tank, paired with a zippered jacket. She did perk up when she saw Caroline. "Hey..." Then she narrowed her eyes and looked to Tyler. "Hi, Tyler."
"Hales. Hey." Tyler wiped his hands on his jeans. "So, Ric asked me to go…and find a book. In the stacks. Which are in that direction..." He hooked a thumb at the stacks behind them. Again, Caroline felt like she was missing something.
"I will be there." Leaping off the table, Tyler disappeared into the stacks.
"Weirdness is abounding." Caroline shook her head. She held up her doughnuts. "Breakfast?" She asked the younger Slayer, waving the package.
Hayley shook her head. Folding her arms across her chest, Hayley looked toward where Tyler had disappeared. Not sure what to say, Caroline decided to just spit it out. "Did something happen with you guys, while I was on my little trip?"
Eyes on the tops of her sneakers; Hayley hugged herself. "You have something on your cheek," she whispered quietly.
Frowning, Caroline reached up and wiped the smudge of powder off her cheek. "Hayley, you can talk to me." Waving for Hayley to sit down next to her, Caroline turned to face the younger girl. Something had gotten under Hayley's skin. The pain and confusion were coming off of her in waves.
After a moment, Hayley looked up at Caroline. She opened her mouth to speak when sounds came from the doorway. Laughter. Then Bonnie Bennett and Alaric Saltzman came in. Alaric was all smiles, and Bonnie seemed to be in a good mood, too.
Glancing at Hayley, Caroline could tell that Hayley had decided to shut down. Damn it.
Caroline forced herself to re-focus her energies. "Someone is in a good mood today. What's the news, Ric?"
"Can't tell you. Yet. But..." Alaric clapped his hands together and looked around. "Where is Tyler?" He looked to Caroline and Hayley.
Hayley waved at the stacks. "He said he had to get a book for you."
Brows rising, Alaric did not seem to understand that statement. "I did?" He paused. "Yes. I did..." He held up a hand, waving at the stacks. "I just have had a lot on my mind. Good of Tyler to remember for me." Cocking her head to the side, Caroline was reading confusion coming off of Ric, this time. He was lying. Covering for Tyler. Why?
"Yeah." Hayley seemed less than convinced, too. "Ty-ler!" she screamed, causing Caroline to slap her hands over her ears. "Ric wants you!"
Seconds later, Tyler came running out of the stacks. He looked a little out-of-breath. "Hey, Ric. Got that book for you!" He held up a book and waved it at Alaric.
"On Gardening, in 18th century Japan?" Hayley pursed her lips, shooting Ric a skeptical look.
"Yes!" Alaric nodded. "There is a vampire, who is in love with a Bonsai trees. Big threat! Massive!"
"The bonsai trees?"
"No. The vamp!"
"Oh?" Hayley looked to Caroline. "What does that have to do with the 18th century?"
"Nothing." Ric shrugged. "Anyway, I wanted to invite all of you to a little get together at my place—"
"To make a plan to slay the vamp?" Hayley stared at Ric who shook his head. He really wanted to change the topic. Caroline was shocked he did not break into a sweat.
"Will we need gifts?" Tyler asked. "I'm short of cash this week."
"Tyler!" Caroline snapped.
Tyler closed his mouth and waited.
Alaric shook his head. "No gifts. Just bring yourselves."
"Cool," Tyler said. "Party time."
Caroline felt better. She could corner all of her friends, one-by-one.
~0~
"Good dip!" Tyler said, pointing at a chip before shoving it into his mouth.
"Thank you, Tyler." Jo Laughlin also seemed to be in a good mood as she ate chips and sipped at the punch she had made.
Caroline sat on the couch between Bonnie and Hayley. So far, Caroline had been unable to separate any of her friends from the herd. Well, she had time. Or so she thought.
"Ric," Jo held up a hand as Ric moved to go into the kitchen, after more dip. "Don't you think NOW would be a good time to tell them?" Her wide eyes went up to her boyfriend's, who held an empty bowl.
Staring at Ric, Caroline nibbled on the end of a chip. She could feel a variety of emotions coming off her mentor. He was nervous, happy, and just a little cautious. His eyes went around the room before he held out a hand to Jo who got up. "Everyone, Jo and I have some news."
"You're getting married?" Tyler called. "Just not this week! Give me, like, a month to save up for a wedding gift."
"Tyler!" Bonnie snapped, shaking her head at Tyler.
Tyler shrugged. "I want to buy them something nice."
Ric was grinning. "Well, we're not officially engaged, but, yes, we're probably going to get married."
"Probably?" Jo gave Ric a long look. "Nor because I'm—"
"Pregnant!" Caroline cried. Her eyes rounded. That was what she had been feeling coming off Jo. She'd been blissful and serene. And hungry. Very hungry.
"Yes!" Jo smiled at them.
"Cool. Baby gift. Months from now!" Tyler nodded. "Congrats!"
Caroline and Bonnie traded looks before getting up to hug the expectant mother and father-to-be. "This is great!" Caroline said. "I'll go get more chips and dip for you." Really, she wanted an excuse to be alone for a minute. Or ten.
Going into the kitchen, Caroline moved to stand in front of the counter. A new life. Her mind whirled with the possibilities. Would Ric stay here? It wasn't exactly safe. She couldn't blame him, and Jo, if they decided to raise the baby somewhere else.
Since Caroline turned, she found that the idea of having a baby was even further from her mind. She was only eighteen. She had so many years before she planned to be a mom. But turning made that impossible. Vampires couldn't have babies. This was not a teen romance novel. She rolled her eyes at her own thoughts.
Grabbing a bag of chips, she tore it open and poured them into the empty bowl. Still lost in her thoughts as she opened a jar of dip before pouring it into a bowl; Caroline continued to dwell. Did Klaus want kids? He'd never mentioned a desire, one way, or the other. And they had forever. Caroline had centuries to discover and re-discover herself. They could adopt at any time. So many kids needed a home. But a vampire home? Well, there were little witches, and wolves, all over the world. Plenty of teen vamps...
Feeling better about the possibilities, Caroline headed back into the living room with the new chips and dip. She still had to uncover what was going on with her friends, and there was no time like the present.
~0~
Alaric's news was huge. Life-altering material. Honestly, Tyler Lockwood would not trade places with Ric, for, say a million bucks. Sex changed everything. He should know. As much as he tried to not be that guy, the one who had sex with a girl, and then avoided her like the plague, well... Yeah. Okay. He was being that guy.
Sighing, Tyler rolled onto his back. Running a hand through his short brown hair, he tried to close his eyes, and allow himself to drift. Nope. Not happening. Sleep just would not come tonight. Maybe it was because of what happened at the party...
"Tyler. Are you busy?" Caroline had asked before taking him by the arm and hauling him into the bathroom.
Eyes wide, Tyler stared at Caroline in shock. "Hey! I'm flattered, but Klaus will kill me!"
Brows coming together, Caroline looked confused, and then she smacked him on the shoulder. "Ew, Ty! No! What is wrong with you?" she demanded.
Rubbing his shoulder, Tyler frowned. "Right now, the bruise that will be forming, soon." He lifted the sleeve of his T, to get a better look at his flesh, which had the imprint of Caroline's hand.
"What's with you and Hayley?" Caroline snapped.
"Um. Nothing." Tyler's brown eyes lifted to meet Caroline's blue eyes. "Did she say something?" He tried to read Caroline, but felt like she was getting much more from this.
"No." Caroline titled her head and stared at Tyler. "But you have guilt-face."
Tyler frowned. "Do not." He leaned against the sink, avoiding Caroline's intense stare.
"You do so!" Caroline moved to stand in front of Tyler. "Did you..." She paused. "Oh, wow." Walking backward, she leaned against the wall, and ran her hands into her hair. "You had sex with her, didn't you?"
Rolling his eyes, Tyler looked at his shoes. "Kinda."
"Tyler Lockwood, you can't kinda have sex with someone!" Inhaling, Caroline shook her head. "Do you like her?"
"Yes. She's Hales. Powerful. Funny. A little scary. Kind of sad, sometimes."
"But do you like her, like, you want to be with her—not sex—just be with someone?"
Tyler shrugged. "I don't know."
"Figure it out, Ty. You owe her honesty, if nothing else." Caroline left Tyler alone with his thoughts.
~0~
Now, Tyler got out of bed. He found a pair of shorts and a hoodie. Shoving his feet into his sneakers; he left his room. Thankfully, his mom was out for the night. He made his way downstairs and out the front door. He decided to go for a run. He could use the Salvatore woods. His friends would not come looking for him there.
Running down the streets of Mystic Falls, Tyler began to relax. He enjoyed the night air. No worries about turning. The full moon would not be out for a couple of nights.
Finally reaching the Salvatores', he turned off the drive, and went into the woods. Even in human-form, he enjoyed running between the trees, with moonlight shining down on his skin. It made him feel more alive.
A branch snapped somewhere to his left. Head whirling, Tyler looked around for any sign of one of the brothers. Maybe they had come home. He didn't see Damon, or Stefan, or even Elena. Not good. This could be any random vamp who had decided to send Care a message.
Tyler did not feel like getting his heart ripped out of his chest tonight. So, he took off. His feet pounded the leaves, making them crunch. Too much noise. Why did he have to make so much noise?
The house! If Tyler could just make it to the house, he could find a weapon. Then he'd have a fighting chance.
Legs pumping, Tyler ran as fast he could toward the house. He stopped at the front door. He was about to kick it down; when his ears pricked up. He did not hear a sound. Slowly, he turned to look around. No vamps.
With a sigh of relief, Tyler laughed at himself. He started to walk away from the door at the same time that a figure appeared, coming from the woods. "Shit!" Tyler cried. He back-pedaled, and fell down, trying to escape the vamp.
"Tyler."
"Hayley?" Tyler blinked up at The Slayer, who came to stand over him. Her hands went to her hips. She looked more like herself, in a miniskirt and an off-the-shoulder top. Her lips titled into a smirk. "You okay?"
"Yeah-No-There was a vamp!"
Hayley dropped into a familiar crouched postion that Caroline had used so many times. "Where?"
"It chased me here!"
"Oh?" Hayley rolled her eyes. "That was me. I wanted to talk, but you ran away. Again!"
Getting to his feet, Tyler nodded. "You're right. I've been running away. And I'm sorry. We're friends. And you deserve better than that."
"Can I go first?" Hayley moved closer. Her wide eyes looked so vulnerable, and Tyler inhaled sharply. He nodded, having forgotten what he wanted to say.
"When I got here, you were the one who made me feel like part of the group. Bonnie and Care were already so close. Ric is Care's mentor. Not mine. And, yeah, I've got Marcel, but, coming here, and seeing how Caroline has this whole group... I wanted that, too. And along the way, being around you, talking to you, watching you play football…it just makes me feel so...happy. I never knew what that meant. To be into someone so much. To want to be with them like I want to be with you. You're just...everything I never knew I could find. And I...I...I love you, Tyler. I really love you. All of you! Even the guy who ran away. And I didn't know for sure; until we had sex. Then it just became so clear. That I could be so connected to someone, on all the levels. This is so corny. Please, say something and shut me up!" She laughed, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Oh? Um? Wow! That is...really nice. I mean, sweet. No one's ever said anything like that to me..." Tyler felt himself breathing harder as Hayley moved forward, to close the distance between them. He closed his eyes as she pressed her lips to his. His hands went to cup her lower back. His wolf craved her. He wanted to lay her down and...
"No!" Pushing Hayley away; Tyler backed up. "This. This is wrong. You. And me. Trust me, Hayley. I am not the guy you want to be with—" He shook his head, holding up a hand to keep her at bay.
"Because you love Caroline?" Hayley's lower lip wobbled. Her shoulders drooped. Now, Tyler felt compound guilt points.
"No! NO!" Tyler shook his head at her. "I do not love Caroline!"
"But you... The thing with the doughnuts..." Unsure, Hayley stared at Tyler. "So, you don't love Caroline. But you don't love me, either?"
"I like you, so much, so when Klaus asked me to—" Oh, no! What had he just said. No! Bad! Very bad! Epically bad!
Hayley's eyes narrowed. "When Klaus asked you to what, Ty?" Then she began to shake her head. "He set me up! The dress... He picked it! He... And you... You... You knew how I felt... Why would you do something like that?"
"Klaus would kill me! Or my mom!" Tyler shouted. "You have to believe me! I did not mean to sleep with you! He wanted information. That's all! But you were so—"
"Stupid! So incredibly stupid, and blind! Look at Hayley, she just wants a normal, human piece of her life! So pathetic!"
"Hayley, please! Just hear me out!" Tyler reached out for Hayley, but she slapped his hand away.
"Don't you ever touch me, again, Tyler! You make me sick!" Hayley took off and into the woods.
Some part of Tyler thought about chasing her. He never wanted to treat women like his dad did. And he'd just managed that. Sitting down, he ran his hands through his hair. He would not be getting to sleep tonight, and he hated to think of what his next run-in with Hayley would look like.
~0~
Candles burned in a circle around Bonnie Bennet. She inhaled slowly and exhaled. Her mind was free. So free. She could drift along...
Agh! Bonnie's eyes snapped open and she sighed. When she was with Freya Mikaelson; it felt like they could stop time. Fingers intertwined, they could stop a hurricane. Or make one. But alone... Alone, Bonnie could not slow anything down, least of all her own racing thoughts.
Getting to her feet, Bonnie went over to pick up her phone. She fell down and onto her back. Tugging at her bottom lip with her teeth, she ran her finger over the screen, and moved to her list of contacts. Caroline. Freya. Freya, biting her lower lip harder, Bonnie glanced at the clock 12:02. The witching hour. It made her smile. It would make Freya smile, too.
Without hesitation, Bonnie punched Freya's number. She cradled the phone in her hand, and closed her eyes, counting off the rings. Two. And then: "Bonnie!" Breathless, Freya was breathless, like she was working out, or...
Or...Freya had someone with her. Images of Freya laughing as she stumbled into her bedroom with a man Bonnie never saw before. His hands sliding over Freya's waist. His mouth on her neck. Her hands in his hair. No. Not him. Her. Her long hair. Her lips. Nails running up and down Freya's nude back as they...
No. Bonnie shook her head. She had no right to think about that. Freya could do as she pleased. But it hurt. It hurt to the point that hot tears stung Bonnie's eyes. Now, she recalled her conversation with Caroline, at the party...
~0~
Caroline fell back on the couch. Ric and Jo had gone out for more snacks. Hayley had gone out to make a call. Tyler had left, an hour ago. Now, Bonnie and Care had time to talk.
"What have you been up to?" Caroline asked with a smile.
Bonnie shrugged. "You know me: Study, study, study."
Laughing, Caroline nodded. "Okay. But you're not just working, right? Please, tell me that you're up to something fun!" She looked at Bonnie with a grin.
With a roll of her eyes, Bonnie said: "Kol and I get to spend time together. Sometimes. And Freya and I are working on a spell to trap bits of sunlight. Then you can have more time at night. No more pesky nightwalkers."
"Quality time with the eldest Mikaelson?"
Feeling like Caroline was staring into her soul; Bonnie inhaled. "Yes. She's good. At witchcraft. She's helping me fulfill my potential. And she makes a mean peppermint tea." A smile came to Bonnie's face at an image of Freya sipping a cup of steaming tea, her eyes on Bonnie.
"You like her. A lot. Don't you, Bonnie?" Voice gentle, Caroline took Bonnie's hand.
Bonnie nodded. "I do. I think. I think maybe I feel... I think I..."
"I know." Caroline nodded. "You should talk to her."
"But Kol—"
"I know. It's complicated. But you need to be honest with Freya. And then deal with Kol. You know I'll have your back; no matter how it all turns out."
"Love you, Care." Bonnie wrapped her arms around Caroline.
"Love you, too."
~0~
"Bonnie, are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine. Are you busy? I could call back. In the morning—"
"No. I was just trying to sleep. Sometimes hot yoga helps."
"Hot yoga?"
"You go in the bathroom, and turn on the shower, until the room fills with steam. Then you practice."
Bonnie saw images of Freya in a steam-filled room. "Can you come over? I wanted to talk." She did just blurt that out; didn't she?
"I'm on my way." Click.
Inhaling, Bonnie tried to stay calm. Instead, she ran downstairs, and stood outside the door until she could feel Freya drawing nearer. Walking outside as Freya pulled up, Bonnie moved to the driveway. Bonnie wanted to know what that top would feel like under her fingertips.
Heart banging in her chest as Freya got out of her car and rounded it, Bonnie waited. She wore a pair of black leather pants and a soft-looking blue top. "Hello, Bonnie." Husky. Why was her voice always so husky?
"Freya." Bonnie moved across the distance and wrapped her arms around Freya's neck. Freya held her tight. "Want to come in?" Did she sound nervous?
"Yes." Freya took Bonnie's hand and they went inside. The door closed behind them. Bonnie was not sure which one of them had done that. Maybe both of them.
They went upstairs and Freya chuckled. Looking back at the older witch, Bonnie watched Freya survey the room. "Are you casting, without me?"
"I was trying to meditate. But it didn't take." Bonnie watched Freya smile before drawing her inside the circle.
Freya placed a hand over Bonnie's hands. "Close your eyes, and breath with me."
Closing her eyes, Bonnie inhaled and exhaled as Freya stroked the inside of her palms. "Be one with me..." Freya intoned. Then Bonnie fell on her back. Her back arched, and she moaned as Freya stroked her palms. "Are you relaxing?"
"Yes! God, yes!" Bonnie moaned, her body shaking as she felt Freya running her fingertips over Bonnie's palms. Eyelids opening, Bonnie noted two things: The candle flames had risen, five feet in the air, and that Bonnie and Freya were levitating, too.
"Freya, I need to tell you something!" Bonnie cried out. The flames blew out, and they fell to the floor. "Uh!" Bonnie groaned.
"Are you okay?" Freya leaned over to help Bonnie up. Her hand ran over the back of Bonnie's head and through her hair.
Nodding, Bonnie looked into Freya's eyes. "Freya, I don't want to feel the things that I feel. But I met you. You literally came out of nowhere. And you are...the heat in the fire. The power of the wind. The smell of flowers, blooming in the spring. You make my heart beat. Whenever I wake up, I can feel you—somewhere in the world—and it stokes something inside of me..."
"Magic." Freya touched Bonnie's cheek. "The snowflakes falling all around me. Skin begging to be touched. I knew you, before I had a body. My spirit searched for you, in the dark, and in the light. In death, I will still feel life, because you existed." Fingers intertwining, Freya's mouth opened.
Pushing forward with her free hand, Bonnie eased her knees between Freya's legs. Freya's free hand went to Bonnie's back. Their mouths met and Bonnie felt hot tears run down her cheeks. She pulled Freya down and on top of her as their hands searched each other's skin. Panting, Bonnie tugged Freya's top off. Her mouth moved over the soft bare flesh. "I love you," she murmured. "I love you, Freya."
Freya nodded. Her lips moved over Bonnie's neck. Then a ringing made them pause. It continued. On and on. "I should check that..." Getting up, Bonnie moved to look at the screen. She froze. Kol. She needed to tell him the truth. Before she and Freya could be together.
Freya got to her feet. "It's him. Isn't it?" She reached down for her shirt. "I'll go."
"Freya..." Bonnie moved to stand in front of the door. "I'm going to tell him. I have to. I love you. And I can't turn back. Not now." Panic welled in Bonnie's breast.
Hands going to Bonnie's, Freya took them and kissed them. "I'm sorry, Bonnie Bennett. I can't. If it means losing my family. I can't. We came close, just then. It's good we stopped."
"What?"
"I waited for a thousand years to find them—"
"Freya, please—"
Freya leaned forward and kissed Bonnie. "We can't see each other like this, ever again," Freya's hushed words made Bonnie's heart stop.
"No!" Bonnie wrapped her arms around Freya, holding her tight. "I waited, and never asked for much: But I am asking you to not leave me! Please, Freya!"
"I'm sorry." Pulling away, Freya moved around Bonnie and out the door.
Feeling like someone had pulled her heart out of her chest, Bonnie sank to her knees and sobbed. She did not know if this pain would ever stop.
Thank you for reading, faving, following, and reviewing. :)
Be safe,
-J