Chapter 12 "I am sorry Care"

"I thought I would never see you again…Elena" Caroline said coldly to her estranged friend.

Elena swallowed thickly, knowing that she would have a lot of explaining to do to her clearly pissed off best friend in front of her.

"Care, I, I have nowhere else to go", was all she managed to say.

"And you seem surprise by that fact. Oh wait, why didn't you run to your best friend Bonnie again? If I remember well, she's the one in whom you trusted enough to keep contact with." Caroline knew she was probably being a bit harsh on her, knowing about the phone call as Stefan had told her all about it.

Elena felt tears threatening to fall. She knew she had hurt many people, her people when she went away. And she not telling Caroline where she was had deeply hurt her.

"Please Caroline, let me explain. Just please don't push me away please." She was practically begging. Caroline watched her friend breaking in front of her eyes and felt her heart constrict. She stepped close to Elena and without saying a word; she hugged the sobbing woman tightly and brought her inside.

After handing her a glass of water and letting her calm down a little bit, Caroline sat down on the couch next to Elena and gently took her friend's hand in hers. "What is going on Lena?"

"I made a mistake Caroline! A horrible one. I shouldn't have left in the first place. I don't even understand why I did what I did. Damon and I had gotten into that big fight and I got scared because I knew that he would probably have things go his way. And I felt like I was losing myself into a world I did not choose and had no control on anymore. I was hurting so much I felt like I needed to get away. I thought that was my only option to save myself. And I left. By the time, I realized what I had done, it was too late. He hates me Caroline! He hates me and I deserve all of it!" Elena said her voice cracking and her tears starting to flow again.

"You never called Elena. I lied to Damon telling him I knew where you were. I saw him break and I saw your kids cry their little heart out asking where you were! I lied to all of them because my so called best friend had left without even saying goodbye. I lied to them, promising them I would convince you to come back! I didn't even know where you were! I was hoping Bonnie would actually tell me the truth. She refused. Why Elena? You could have called! Or even send a message! I just don't understand why."

"I have no excuse Care. I don't know. I knew you would come looking after me. And I was not thinking! I knew you would have come to find me and bring me back. I thought I did not want that. But I was wrong. I wanted to called you so many times; I just did not find the courage to do so. I have no excuse but I am just so sorry. I can't make up for what I did. I can't change any of the past weeks. Please don't turn your back on me. I have lost so many people! And it's my sole fault I know. I need you Care."

"What are you going to do Lena? You can stay here as much as you need and want. But, what are you going to do about that mess?"

"I want him back. I love him. I miss him. I miss our home. I miss my children. But he hates me. I don't know what to do." Elena said, sounding so desperate.

"He is broken. He is in pain. And he is worried that you'll just break your children's heart again. But sweetheart, that man is feeling many things but he certainly does not hate you. Even if he will probably say otherwise. I don't know what to tell you, what you should do. But I am here and I am not turning my back on you. Just make it right Elena." Caroline said, looking at her friend into the eyes, soothingly but firmly at the same time.
"I will Care. I will. They are my everything."