Author's Note: Hey Guys. This is the final chapter of I Choose You. Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has followed, alerted favourited, reviewed especially those of you who were like 'Hey what's happening with this story?' I promised someone a Christmas present but it seems like it is going to be a New Year's present so look out for that. Again a big thanks and I hoped you enjoyed this story!

The creaking of the door alerted her to his entry and when Caroline saw Tyler's eyes she immediately engulfed him in a hug. She felt his arms tighten around her as though she was his lifeline, like she was his life. As he was hers. Holding onto him she moved upstairs towards the bed, laying him down, curling herself around him. She was trying to infuse him with strength, infuse him with what he needed. And so for long moments she just held him offering comfort.

"I couldn't do it," she heard him whisper after a while, "I looked him in the eye and I couldn't do it."

She still didn't know what he was talking about. When Mason had turned up this morning she had gotten a horrible feeling but what could she do? She hated not knowing where he was going or what he was doing but there were times, there would be times times she knew no one would tell her.

"Klaus," he said his name so easily now, "He said it wasn't a test, that he never expected me to because he would never had been cold enough to kill Mikael despite what everyone thought but he wanted to give me an opportunity to put a bullet between my father's eyes if I wanted. But I couldn't do it."

She understood now. And Caroline wrapped her body around his tighter as if to pull him into her, sobs shaking his body. She felt his tears and knew that they were of pain and regret. Pain at the hands of his father and regret for the years he had sought and never found his father's approval. And now that chance was gone for he was dead.

She wouldn't have been able to kill her mother either despite the torture she had endured at the hands of the woman for years. She couldn't bring herself to do that. And knowing Tyler had faced tat choice made Caroline's heart break. Reaching down she pulled his face up unable to stop the tears that flooded her eyes as she saw his face. Softly she kissed him, but this was not of need. There was no rush, no fire behind it but she offered what little she could to him, opening up herself as she let him in. His lips immediately fell open allowing her to kiss him properly. Her hands slipping under his shirt to caress as his tears fell. She undressed him slowly, carefully cherishing each moment, glad that they were together. Whispering I-love-you's she continued, stroking, kissing until she had brought him to shuddering climax and she held him until his breathing evened out.

When Tyler awoke his head felt like it had been crushed by an anvil, his throat was sore and he felt drained both physically and emotionally. Caroline's arms tightened automatically around him even though he could still hear her even breathing. Looking up he placed a light kiss on her lips because she was and always would be amazing to him. He watched as she stirred before opening her eyes automatically searching for him.

"You okay?"

Tyler shrugged, remaining quiet for a few moments. He shook himself, releasing the thoughts from this morning and the sorrow that if he looked at too closely he would drown in. Changing the subject, he said, "Still in shock I have acquired 3…3 uncles?"

Caroline stretched and played along with him, "And one is Padrino."

"I know. Will make for interesting family dinners."

"Your family dinners were always interesting."

"True," he conceded before asking, "Have you heard anything from your mom?"

"She's still on lockdown but I called the clinic and they said that the first few days are rough but she's determined."

"I'm glad, honey."

"Me too. Oh, Luca called when you were out. You should call him."

"Yep, Clan duties await."

"I still can't believe Padrino put you, Damon, Stefan, Kol, Elijah and Luca to run the clans."

Running a clan was never something he wanted, something he thought he would ever do. But learning that Klaus had put a bullet in six of the seven leaders had necessitated a shift. And learning that his father had been a spy for them had hurt. His own father had been willing to kill both him and Uncle Mason to get what he wanted. Even now knowing the man was dead caused him grief.

"Klaus wanted people he can trust," he shrugged answering her.

"You mean Uncle Nik," she giggled trying to lighten the mood.

"I will never call him that, despite what Rebekah says. This is still the Cosa Nostra."

"This is still the Cosa Nostra," she whispered and he saw a shadow pass across her eyes.

"Hey, what are you thinking?"

"About Elena…I kinda want to tell her to run." Her voice sounds so sad. Elena was her best friend and in love with Stefan Salvatore and he knew how hard it had been to keep her mouth closed. It wasn't that Stefan wasn't a good man but the girl had no idea what she was getting into. But Caroline knew and Tyler was selfish enough that he was glad she was here but he couldn't stop himself from asking, "Do you ever wish you had run?"

Her eyes flew up to his, "I couldn't. Not while you were here. And if I had to do everything over again, I'd still make the same choices because they led me to you. And crazy family, death threats and safe house shoot-outs or not I love you."

Tyler let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding, thankful that he would never have to face this life alone. Slipping his fingers between hers he said, "I love you too."