Disclaimer: I don't own Vampire Diaries

Lessons of Love, Chapter 24

"The future is not a result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created- created first in the mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating." Unknown

"So…what happens next?" she asked, breathing against the bare skin of his chest, taking in his familiar scent as his fingers gently and absently stroked her back.

"Pardon?"

Caroline sat up from where they laid, tangled up in his bed, and regarded Klaus with a confused glance. "What happens now? Does this mean we're back together? Or what?"

He studied her for a second before letting an amused chuckle escape. "I would say so, sweetheart. If it's what you want."

"I do. I was serious when I said I loved you."

"There shouldn't be a problem then."

"But…but there is. I meant everything I said. That I'm shallow to ask these things of you when I can't do them myself and you don't deserve someone like that…someone who could cause you more pain and you've already had enough of it. I don't want to hurt you like that again," Caroline said, turning her eyes to study the disarray of blankets and pillows that surrounded them.

Klaus slouched against the headboard, watching Caroline fiddle with sheet in her lap, his discarded shirt hanging loosely on her body. "Look at me," he said in a forceful but gentle tone to pull her attention back to him. She slowly lifted her blue-green eyes to his narrowed, pure blue ones. He didn't say anything else for a moment as they studied each other. "Matters of the heart have never been my forte, Caroline, and I am willing to say that they won't ever be. But, I would hope that you know that I always mean everything I say in some way, shape, or form and this is no different."

"It's not going to be easy," she whispered. "Because you're you and I'm insecure and selfish and neurotic."

"Stop talking like that," he growled. "I know what I want and I'll fight for it, no matter the cost. I don't give a damn how many times I have to do it, I'll fight for you. I told you once: I'd be a fool to let someone as light and as good as you get away from me and I may be many things, Caroline Forbes, but I am not a fool."

"I know. I know you're not and I never said you were but…"

"What are you trying to say, Caroline?"

"Nothing…It's just that no one has ever chosen me. I don't know how to do this, either, so I'm giving you an out."

Klaus closed the space between, leaning forward to capture her lips. "I don't want it. I'm committed," he breathed, touching their foreheads together when he pulled away.

"Well, that's new."

Klaus scrunched his nose up, "Not quite. I always commit myself to my endeavors, love. Always."

"Good to know," Caroline said with a smirk, leaning back into his chest. "You'll need to be now that you've pissed off my friends here all over again."

"Fantastic. I do love a challenge."

She tilted her head up, kissing his jaw before speaking, "Or you could just whisk me away so we can hide from their wrath," she giggled.

"Not likely. I do believe you're scheduled to return to school in a month," Klaus replied casually with an amused roll of his eyes.

"Fine."

"We have all the time in the world to hide from whoever you want to, Caroline," he chuckled, kissing her temple.

Satisfied, Caroline snuggled into his embrace with a laugh.

Time was never to be an issue; they had all the time in the world. Hell, they would be able to fall in and out of love however many times they pleased. It wouldn't matter because they would always come back to each other.

Always and forever.

A/N: I have a slight obsession with the 'Always and forever' phrase...I noticed I end several moments with it in my other works haha. I guess it's because it's just so heartfelt :) Anywayss, so now I have to 'fess up. This isn't the last chapter, lol. I just felt like things were still slightly unresolved so I had to fix that. So now there's only one chapter left! It'll be up in a couple days once I finish editing it.

I already apologized in the A/N of the new story I published earlier about the long wait for 'Movie Night: The Sequel' but I'll do it again here because I feel bad, lol. I have not forgotten that story, I promise. I will be updating it soon, I got busy (unfortunately, I don't get to sit around and all day anymore...sad face, I know- that'd be AWESOME if I could do that, lol) and then I wanted to get this one wrapped up before I started finishing up 'Movie Night'. So, I hope you can forgive me and I think the next update will be worth the wait;)

Okie dokie, back to this one. Song inspiration and chapter title credit goes to 'I Won't Give Up' by the incredibly talented Jason Mraz:) I really, really like this version, though /watch?v=09dn7iQ31Rk&feature=g-all-u They are both very talented so you should def watch it if you have a minute!

Anyways, as always, thanks for reading- you guys have been awesome with your continued support of this story. Thanks to 'Guest' for your review, btw...it was nice to hear from you! Hope you liked this one and, if you have a minute, please review:)