The song I use in this chapter is Fearless by Taylor Swift.
Stasia pulled the letter out and started to read it.
Stasia,
Happy Birthday! Or most likely Happy late Birthday because you forgot to open the letter on your birthday. I hope you are happy with your uncle and that you've made friends or even met the guy of your dreams.
Stasia stopped reading.
"I have met the guy of my dreams," she said and went back to reading the letter.
I know you weren't exactly happy about going to Mystic Falls but I knew you would find happiness there and after what happened with Hudson, getting far away from here seemed like the best idea. You may not believe it when I say I love you but I do love you even if my actions may not say it. I know my brother has always been your favorite uncle and that he would be the perfect person to take care of you when I couldn't. By the time you read this I will be done traveling and will be able to bring you back home with us. Call me after you've read this letter.
I love you,
Mom
"No," she said and ran out of her room.
"UNCLE RIC!" she yelled. "UNCLE RIC!" she yelled again and he ran out of the kitchen.
"What's wrong?" he asked worried.
"I opened this letter my mom gave me before she dumped me off on you so she could travel the world with her new boy toy and…"
"Stasia…"
"It says she should be done traveling by now and will take me home," she said. "Did you know about this?"
"No Stasia I didn't." he told her. "I thought you would be here until you went off to college or longer if you wanted."
"Well I'm not going back with her," she told him. "My life is here with you and Kol and my friends." She added.
"Ok Stasia we'll call your mom and figure this out."
"They can move here but I'd rather live with you," she told him and he smiled.
"And you know you can stay as long as you want, you know I like having you here." He told her. "Lets call your mom," he said and picked his phone up.
After a few rings Stasia's mom answered.
"Hello."'
"Alana," he said. "Its Ric."
"Hey, how are you?"
"I'm great," he said.
"I'm guessing Stasia read my letter."
"Yes she did and…"
"I want to talk to her," Stasia told him.
"Stasia I don't think…"
"Uncle Ric," she said and he handed her the phone.
"Mom," she said.
"Happy late birthday," her mom said happily.
"Thanks."
"You read my letter."
"Yes and that's why I'm calling."
"Is there a problem?" she asked confused.
"Yes mom I don't want to leave Mystic Falls, I'm happy here." She told her.
"Honey I…"
"No mom you're the one who got married and dumped me off on your brother for a year," she began. "You gave no indication you were ever going to come back for me," she added angrily. "I have a life here and friends and I've met the guy of my dreams."
"Stasia I'm glad you're happy,"
"Mom if you want me to live with you then you're going to have to move here but if you don't that's fine to."
"Stasia we'll be there in a few weeks, I'll call Ric and let him know when exactly." She said. "We can talk about everything then ok."
"Ok mom," she said. "But I am not moving."
"I do love you."
"I love you to mom," she said and handed the phone back to Alaric and walked away.
When Stasia got to her room she called Kol.
"Princess," he answered.
"Kol, can you come over.?" She asked.
"Are you ok?" he asked concerned.
"I'm ok but I need to talk to you and see you and…"
"I'll be right there," he said and hung the phone up.
"Alana," Ric said.
"She's happy there," she said.
"Yes she is and she's welcome to stay with me as long as she wants to."
"So what about this guy she met."
"He's good for her and she's good for him," Alaric told her. "Separating them would not be a good idea."
"So he wouldn't hurt her or anything?"
"No, he might kill anyone who tried to hurt her," he told her.
"So he treats her well."
"Like a princess," Alaric said.
"Well we'll be there in a few weeks and we'll figure out something." She told him as Alaric heard a knock on the door.
"There's someone at the door hold on," he told her and he walked over and opened it and saw Kol on the other side. "Kol," he said shocked.
"Anastasia called," he said and Alaric moved aside to let him in. He didn't see a car or anything so Kol must have vamp sped over here. "You know where she is," he told him and he nodded and made his way to her room.
"We'll see you when you get here but be open minded about everything because she's not going to want to move and just so you know, she'll always have a home here."
"I'll call you when we know exactly when we'll be there but it will be a few weeks like I said."
"Ok," Alaric said and hung the phone up and went to talk to Stasia. Hopefully Kol could calm her down some.
Kol waked back to Stasia's room and knocked on her door before opening it.
"Princess what's wrong?" Kol asked.
"My mom has decided she is done traveling the world with her boy toy and wants me to move back with them."
"No," Kol whispered.
"I told her it wasn't going to happen, that I want to stay here."
"You can't move," Kol said and pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. "You can always live with me and my siblings," he told her. "If you needed somewhere to live." He said. "I'm not giving you up," he said as Alaric walked in the room and saw them. "I love you." He said.
"I love you to Kol."
"Stasia," Alaric said and she pulled away from Kol.
"Uncle Ric," she said.
"Your mom is going to be here in a few weeks," he told her. "You know you'll always have a home here, I would never make you leave."
"Well hopefully my mom will see that," she sighed. "She can always be compelled to let me stay," she added.
"Hopefully it won't come to that," he said. "But you can stay with me as long as you want."
"Thank you Uncle Ric," she said and walked over to him and hugged him. "I love you."
"I love you to Stasia," he said and he looked over at Kol.
"I don't want to cause problems with you and mom," she told him.
"You let me worry about that ok."
"Ok," she said.
"I'll be in the living room if you need me." Alaric said and left her room.
"Anastasia," Kol said and she wrapped her arms around him and leaned up to kiss him.
"I'm ok Kol," she told him. "Thanks for rushing over here," she added.
"I think you know I would do anything for you," he told her and she smiled.
"So I've been giving this open mike thing some thought," she began. "And I think maybe I want to do it when we get back from New York." she told him. "I'm still not sure though."
"Well when you decide let me know," he said and she nodded. "I think you should invite your uncle and friends."
"Kol…."
"You know they would love to be there," he said. "I videoed you last night on my phone," he told her. "Look how amazing you are," he told her and showed her the video. "See how good you are." He said and she smiled.
"Come on," she said and took Kol's hand in hers and led her out of her room. She led him to the living room where Alaric was sitting on the couch watching TV.
"Uncle Ric," she said and he turned to look at her. "I have to tell you something."
"Please don't tell me Kol asked you to marry him because that won't fix this problem," he said.
"No Uncle Ric," she said. "Its something else," she said . "Last night we went to this Karaoke bar and…"
"You took her to a bar," Alaric said looking at Kol.
"Uncle Ric, let me finish," she told him. "So I sang last night and…" she sighed. "Just show him Kol," she told him and Kol handed Alaric his phone with the video of her on it.
"I videoed it," Kol told him and Alaric took Kol's phone and watched Stasia singing Eternal Flame.
"Stasia I had no idea you were so talented," he said and handed Kol his phone. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't think it mattered or that you would care," she said softly.
"Why would you think that?" he asked.
"Mom never cared," she told him.
"Stasia…" Alaric said shaking his head.
"Anyway, the guy that works there said they have open mike nights occasionally and thought I might give it a try," she told him. "And if I do I want you to be there."
"You know I'll be there," he told her.
"Thanks Uncle Ric."
The next day Kol and Stasia left for New York. Stasia was really excited to see what Kol had planned for them this week. When they got to their hotel Kol checked them in and they were shown to their room. Stasia looked around the room. It overlooked Broadway, There was a living room with a with a couch and a couple of chairs there was a table in a small dining room, They had a staircase that led to their own private terrace. Kol and Stasia finally put their bags in the bedroom before Stasia peeked in the bathroom and saw a claw foot tub and walk in shower.
"Its amazing Kol," she said and he smiled.
"I'm glad you like it," he said and she smiled as he walked over to her and leaned down and kissed her lips. "We are going to have an amazing week together." He told her.
"I know Kol," she said. "So what are we going to do?"
"Well today, nothing but tomorrow night I'm taking you to see Phantom of the Opera and we can go to Central Park a few days if you want so you can see everything. Today we're going to relax but I do have something planned for tomorrow before the show."
"Sounds great," she said. "I can't wait."
"I see you brought your guitar," Kol said.
"Yeah."
"Are you planning to play something at some point?" he asked curiously.
"Possibly," she told him.
"Ok," Kol said confused.
"I wrote a song," she said. "For you and I might play it but I'm not sure yet."
"You wrote me a song," he said surprised.
"Well you give me all this nice stuff and you do all kinds of stuff for me and I don't really give you anything so I decided to write you a song," she said and he smiled. "Is that totally stupid?"
"No princess, no one has ever wrote me a song." He told her. "And I can't wait to hear it."
The next morning Kol woke Stasia up and brought her a cup of coffee. After getting ready he took her to central park for a horse drawn carriage ride. The two of them sat down next to each other in the carriage and Kol took her hand in his as they looked at all the statues and scenery as they rode by. Stasia laid her head on his shoulder as Kol wrapped his arm around her.
"This is nice." She told him. "Thank you."
After the carriage ride Kol took her to the carousel for a ride. After the carousel ride he took her around to see other things in Central park. They stopped Pinebank Arch and Kol held her hand as they stood there and looked over Central Park. Kol took her to the pond and they watched the ducks swim.
"Kol, no one has ever done anything like this for me," she told him.
"Its not over yet," he told her as he led her to the East Green where the two of them relaxed against a tree." "So tomorrow I was thinking about a boat ride, what do you think?"
"I think that sounds great," she said and Kol smiled.
Kol and Stasia went back to their hotel room so they could get ready for Phantom of the Opera that night. Stasia fixed her hair, straightening it and leaving it dowm. She slipped on a black dress that stopped a few inches above her knees, it had black lace sleeves and a see through mesh back. She put on the necklace and earrings Kol gave her for her birthday and then slipped on a pair of black heels, grabbed a jacket and walked out of the bedroom to the living room where Kol was sitting on the couch waiting for her.
"Kol," she said quietly and he turned to look at her. She looked amazing the dress she was wearing showed off all her curves and her great legs.
"You look beautiful Anastasia," he said and she smiled.
"Thank you Kol," she said quietly.
"Lets go." He said.
When they got to the theater Kol led her to their seats and they got ready for the show to start. The lights went down not much later and the curtain was raised and the show started. Kol looked over at her occasionally and saw her eyes never left the stage. He reached over and laid his hand over hers and she automatically flipped it over and laced their fingers together.
When the show was over Kol led her out and to the car he had rented for the week.
"So did you like it?" he asked as he drove away from the theater.
"I loved it Kol," she told him. "It was better than I thought it would be."
"I'm glad," he said.
"It was so beautiful the Masquerade scene and the boat when the Phantom and Christine are going below the Opera house and when he dropped the chandelier it was so cool."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it," Kol smiled.
When they got back to their hotel room Stasia changed into her pajamas and walked into the bedroom. She saw Kol was lying in the center of the bed. Stasia smiled and walked over to the bed and climbed on it, straddling Kol's hips.
"Do you have to lay in the center of the bed?" she asked.
"Well if this is how you're going to greet me, yes I do," he said as he grabbed her hips. Stasia leaned down and touched her lips to his.
"I love you," she said.
"I love you to," Kol said and Stasia moved to lay beside him. Kol turned on his side to look at her.
"So what did I do to deserve to have you as my boyfriend?" she asked.
"I don't know but it had to be something really good considering how awesome I am," he teased and Stasia smiled and shook her head.
"Even though I know you're teasing, its true."
"Really?" he asked.
"Yeah," she said and kissed him. "Good night Kol."
"Good night Princess."
The next morning Kol brought Stasia a cup of coffee again.
"I could get used to you bringing me coffee every morning." She told him after taking a sip.
"Well I'll make sure to bring you a cup every morning then," he told her,
After drinking her coffee Kol and Stasia went for their boat ride in Central Park.
"Its kind of peaceful out here," she told him. "and really beautiful."
"I'm glad you're enjoying everything," he said.
"Kol, I enjoy everything because I'm with you," she told him. "I've already told you I don't need all this stuff I just need you," she told him and he smiled.
"I know you have," he sighed. "It just surprises me."
"Why?"
"Because most girls want the gifts, like the gifts more than me," he told her.
"And those girls are stupid."
"I'm glad you think so."
That night Kol took Stasia to eat at a restaurant called The Water Club. Stasia dressed in the pink dress she got when she went shopping with Rebekah. She put on her black heels and went to meet Kol in the living room.
"You look beautiful princess," he said.
"Thank you Kol," she smiled. "You look nice to," she told him as she looked at him in a button down shirt and pants.
"Lets go," Kol said and he led her out of their room.
When they got to the restaurant Kol led her inside and they were shown to a table. The two of them looked over their menus as the waiter came over to take their drink orders and Kol ordered a crab cake appetizer and the waiter went to get them while they looked over their menus.
"What do you think you want?" he asked.
"I don't know Kol," she said quietly.
"Ever had lobster?"
"No," she answered.
"You should try it," he said.
"I'll think about it," she told him as their waiter came back with their drinks.
"Are you ready to order?" he asked and Stasia nodded. Both of them ended up ordering lobster and the waiter went to put their order in returning a few minutes later with the crab cake appetizer.
"This is really nice Kol," Stasia said. "The view is nice to."
"I'm glad you like it."
"When we get back, I want to play you the song I wrote for you."
"That sounds good to me." He said and she smiled.
Kol and Stasia went back to their room after dinner and Stasia changed into her pajamas and then joined Kol in the bedroom. Stasia walked over and sat on the bed with him. Kol leaned over and touched his lips to hers.
"So I'm going to play the song for you," she told him nervously.
"Don't be nervous princess," he told her and she nodded and stood up and went to get her guitar and walked back and sat on the bed with Kol. "That's nice," he said referring to her guitar.
"Thank you," she said and she moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "So its called "Fearless"
There's somethin' 'bout the way
The street looks when it's just rained
There's a glow off the pavement
you walk me to the car
And you know I wanna ask you to dance right there
In the middle of the parking lot
Yeah
Oh yeah
We're drivin' down the road
I wonder if you know
I'm tryin' so hard not to get caught up now
But you're just so cool
Run your hands through your hair
Absent mindedly makin' me want you
And I don't know how it gets better than this
You take my hand and drag me head first
Fearless
And I don't know why but with you I'd dance in a storm in my best dress
Fearless
So baby drive slow
'til we run out of road in this one horse town
I wanna stay right here in this passenger's seat
You put your eyes on me
In this moment now capture it, remember it
Cause I don't know how it gets better than this
You take my hand and drag me head first
Fearless
And I don't know why but with you I'd dance in a storm in my best dress
Fearless
Well you stood there with me in the doorway
My hands shake
I'm not usually this way but
You pull me in and I'm a little more brave
It's the first kiss,
It's flawless,
Really something,
It's fearless.
Oh yeah
Cause' I don't know how it gets better than this
You take my hand and drag me head first
Fearless
And I don't know why but with you I'd dance in a storm in my best dress
Fearless
Cuz I don't know how it gets better than this
You take my hand and drag me head first
Fearless
And I don't know why but with you I'd dance in a storm in my best dress
Fearless
Oh-oh
Oh yeah
Stasia finished playing the song and sat her guitar down and looked at Kol.
"I like it," he said and she nodded. "No one has ever wrote me a song or anything like that."
"Good I'm glad you like it," she smiled and Kol leaned over and kissed her lips. "I love you."
"I love you to," he said and kissed her again. Stasia leaned into him and slid her arms around his neck. Kol grabbed her hips and laid back on the bed pulling her with him. Stasia pulled away and looked down at him. She ran her fingers across his cheeks before kissing him again. Stasia felt Kol's fingers running under her shirt across her lower back before he pulled it over her head and tossed it to the floor. Stasia pushed Kol's shirt up and he leaned up so she could pull it off of him. Stasia placed her lips against his neck. Kol ran his hands over her body and she pulled away and sat up. Kol sat up with her and let out a sigh.
"Anastasia," he said.
"I'm sorry Kol," she apologized. "Its not that I don't want to…"
"Princess you don't have to explain."
"I know but I want to," she said. "Wanting to sleep with you isn't the problem."
"Then what is?" he asked and she looked away. "You need to be honest with me."
"I'm nervous," she admitted. "I trust you completely but I've never…."
"I know princess," he said and she smiled and touched his lips to hers. "Get some sleep,"
"Ok," she agreed and moved off of him to lay beside him. "Good night Kol."
"Good night."