Time
'I just want everything to be perfect for Bonnie and Kol, they both deserve it.
I'm sending out invitations today all expect the happy couples which they will receive on the day with a list of very specific instructions that they need to follow'.
Klaus woke up to Caroline's voice as she spoke on her phone standing near the window, he sat up to stare at her as she spoke.
'I'm going into the office later Helena wants to speak to me about my clients, so I can meet you at Tate's at 2'.
She waited for the person to reply and smiled.
'Okay bye'.
She ended the call and turned to look out the window as he gazed at her until she turned back to face him.
'You look beautiful in that light'.
He told her as he got out of bed.
'Stop'.
She replied her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at his words.
'I'll never stop complementing my wife'.
He responded as she turned away from to look out on their street as their neighbours went about their lives,
'Hmmm'.
She sighed contently as he put his arms around her, his breath tickling her neck as he smiled against her skin before kissing her shoulder.
'So you're going back to work?'.
He asked and she nodded.
'Yes as fun as it's been working from home the last two weeks, I need get back into the office and start handing over events to the person who will be handling my client list for a year while I'm on maternity leave'.
'It was very generous of Helena to give you a year off'.
'I'm lucky she is still in that blissed honeymoon phase of marriage if this had happened any other time I don't think she would have been as accommodating to our situation'.
'He's adorable'.
Kol didn't recognise the voice who spoke as he walked into the kitchen to find Bonnie sitting at the kitchen table with a woman he didn't recognise.
'Bonnie'.
Bonnie turned to look at Kol as did the woman who smiled at him as he walked into the kitchen.
'Hey sweetie this my cousin Lucy, Lucy this Kol'.
'The fiancée, I've heard a lot of good things about you'.
Lucy told him and he chuckled.
'Good things that's a first'.
He said as he kissed the top of Bonnie's head.
'What brings you to town?'.
Kol asked once he had gone to put a shirt on and was sitting at the table with Lucy as Bonnie got Noah ready.
'Well when I heard my baby cousin was engaged I had to come and make a visit.
I'm glad I did too, I heard about the falling out she had with my Aunt.
She's a very stubborn woman, her and my mum had a huge falling out years ago'.
'Are you on good terms?',
Lucy shook her head.
'We are civil, let's just leave it as that, listen I know that Bonnie wants to find her mum but I don't think it would be in her best interests if she did'.
'Why?'.
He asked as she looked toward the door and then back at him as he passing him a photo.
'She has a new life, kids and husband, if Bonnie finds her how do you think she's going to feel her mum abandoned her and her dad, I love my cousin and I don't want her to get hurt and as someone else who loves her do you want that.
She already hurt her once, do you want her to do it again'.
'Do you know where she is?'.
'I don't but I know somebody who does and I can get that information for you if it's what you want but I hope that it's not.
I know it's not what you wanted to hear but please don't let her go through with it'.
'So this little guy is dressed and ready to go, I thought maybe we could do some shopping and then pop in on my dad I'm sure he'd love to see you'.
They both stared to look at Bonnie as she appeared with Noah bouncing in her arms and Lucy nodded glancing at Kol quickly.
'Sounds like a plan'.
She stared at him through the kitchen window as he sat outside staring into the distance.
She had woken up during the night to find his place in the bed empty.
She went to his study to find him sitting in darkness his back to the door as music played and he stared at a photo that he held in his hands.
His eyes staring at his best friend she never got to know the friend he missed more than he liked to admit.
We've gotta hold on for what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love we'll give it a shot
Stefan couldn't help but laugh as Lexi sung as loudly as she possibly could to livin on a prayer
As he drove them back into Mystic Falls, the night had been amazing seeing Bon Jovi live was something he could cross of his bucket list and it was all thanks to her it happened.
'Why aren't you singing?'
Lexi asked looking at him he shrugged his shoulders looking away from the road for a second.
'Your singing so loudly I don't think me joining in would make a difference'.
She laughed tapping her fingers against the dashboard.
'Thanks for tonight Lex I needed a night out'.
'Yes you did because you my friend are staring to become a hermit'.
'A hermit?'.
'Yes, Stefan I know you don't want to be Damon I mean who does but he has parties every other week and you spend those parties up in your room, you need to talk to people'.
'I talk to you, your people'.
He replied.
'Other people besides me'.
She told him as she nudging him playfully with her elbow.
'What is wrong with me just talking to you?'.
'Nothing but people are starting to think we are a couple and I kind of want to ask out Daniel Ealy'.
'Daniel Ealy, really you know he's failing almost every class'.
She nodded.
'I know but maybe I could help him study'.
'What French?'.
Stefan asked with a smirk
'Shut up'.
She replied laughing.
That was the last thing he remembered her laughing everything after that became a blur.
'Stefan, come on little brother'.
Stefan could hear Damon's voice but didn't understand why, he wasn't with Damon he was with Lexi.
There was something else the tone of Damon's voice it was strange had he been crying Damon never cried or that's what he said Stefan knew better than that.
He opened his eyes blinking at the bright light that hit his eyes, his eyes adjusting to the light.
'Your awake''.
His eyes followed the voice to find Katherine Gilbert staring at him, her eyes puffy and red.
'Katherine, what are, where am I, where's Lexi?'.
He asked trying to sit up but finding himself restricted.
'Stefan I'm so sorry'.
Katherine told him and he looked at her confused.
'Why?'.
He questioned but before she could answer Zach walked into the room followed by Damon who looked at Katherine.
'Could you give us a minute?'.
She looked at Damon and nodded smiling softly at Stefan.
'Zach what's going on?'.
Stefan asked as Zach sat on the bed beside him.
'You were in an accident, do you remember?'.
Stefan shook his head.
'No I remember driving back from a concert with Lexi'.
The mention of her name had him in a panic.
'Lexi is she okay, she is here can I see her?'.
He asked.
'Stefan, Lexi she didn't make it, she's gone'.
Stefan stared at Zach for the longest time and then laughed.
'This is a joke, she's outside the door waiting, your funny Lex'.
'Stefan'.
It was Damon who finally spoke to his brother putting his hand on his shoulder.
'She's not outside the door brother, she died 4 days ago you've been in a coma since that night.
They tried everything to save her Stefan, they did but it was too late, she was gone'.
He didn't remember when he started crying but once he started he couldn't stop.
He could see it now Lexi laughing, then car being full of light as she turned her head to look at him as the car smashed into the side of his car knocking it off the road.
He could hear her screaming as the car rolled down the hill coming to a stop and then it was silent everything went silent.
'This house is beautiful'.
Charlotte commented as she sat with Klaus on the front porch of his and Caroline's new home.
'Thank you Charlotte, I'm really happy you're here'.
'Me too, I can't believe you're going to be a dad again'.
She told him as resting her hand on his knee.
'Neither can I sometimes I think I'm living somebody else's life not my own but then I wake up Caroline is beside me and I know it's happening to me, it's the reason I bought this place when I saw the picture I knew it was the house for my family'.
Charlotte couldn't help but stare at her nephew he had come so far in the last 8 years and she was proud of the man that he had become.
But she was also saddened by the fact his parents didn't a part in happiness being a mother herself she couldn't understand her sisters motive to turn against her son.
'Are you alright?'.
Klaus asked noticing the tear roll down her cheek and she nodded.
'Yes I'm sorry I just worried about you so much and now I look at you and I'm so proud of you Klaus of the person you've become and I'm sorry that my sister choose a man who abused you over being a mother to you'.
'It's not your fault, she made her choice as did I, I have my family the people who love and me as much as I would want her to be a part of it.
I'm happy with those that I have people like you'.
He told her with a gentle smile.
'Do you think about him your real father?'.
'Sometimes more since I found out I was going to be a father again, I think about what kind of man he is would my life had been different if I knew him but then I remember that I'm never going to know him because he doesn't even know that I exist because my mother lied'.
Caroline felt all eyes on her as she walked into her office.
'Congratulations'.
Caroline smiled as her assistant Alison embraced her.
'Thank you Alison'.
'Oh look it's the person who is going to dump all her clients on us while she stays at her home being a mummy'.
Caroline looked at Olivia as approached.
'It's nice to see you too Olivia'.
She replied which made Olivia roll her eyes.
'Caroline thanks for coming in I know you're busy with the engagement party'.
Helena said as she walked out of her office and smiled at Caroline before looking at Olivia.
'Olivia do you mind joining us, I need to talk to you too'.
Olivia looked at Helena and nodded before smirking at Caroline.
'Maybe she's just going to fire you and give me your clients'.
She whispered under her breath as she followed Caroline into Helena's office.
'So how are you feeling?'
Helena asked as Caroline sat down.
'I'm feeling great, I'm very motivated right now'.
She replied while Olivia muttered something under her breath which both Helena and Caroline ignored.
'I'm happy to hear that now as you know I've asked you in to discuss what will happen with your events for next year and I've been talking to the executives and they are very impressed with the amount of detail and preparation you put into each event that you handle.
If wasn't for you we wouldn't have B&W on our books.
So we don't want to pass your events on to anyone else in fact we want you to keep them'.
'I don't understand'.
Caroline replied and Helena smiled looking at Olivia.
'Olivia you've been waiting to prove yourself to me and this company and this will be the perfect opportunity for you to do that.
You will be handling Caroline's events'.
'I don't know what to say, I have so many fresh ideas to bring to the table'
Olivia cut in before Helena could finish speaking.
'I haven't finished, as much as I would love to hear your ideas Caroline's clients have already signed off on her ideas.
So you will be taking over Caroline's role but any changes that need to be made have to go through her first.
Caroline will have final say on any changes that have to be made'.
Helena told Olivia as the smile slowly left her face and she stared at Caroline.
'Are you saying that she's my boss now?'.
Helena shook her head.
'No I am still your boss, she is your superior I hope that isn't going to be a problem'.
Caroline looked at Olivia and could see that she was clearly seething and couldn't help but smile.
'No it won't be a problem at all but I just thought that when you asked to sit in on this meeting that it would be for something else'.
'You thought I would give you full rein of her client list'.
'Well yes well until she came back from maternity leave anyway'.
Olivia replied.
'Now I would have given you that chance if not for what happened 4 months ago when I gave you the Whitney account and then got a call on my honeymoon telling me that you made what was supposed to be a classy bachelorette party into something from springbreak madness.
So until you prove yourself to me and the executives you will not be in control of any events'.
Helena's tone completely changed from light to strict in an instant then she looked back at Caroline.
'Now that's been sorted me and Caroline have other business to discuss, so you're free to go'.
Olivia stood up smoothing out her skirt and looking at Caroline before walking out of the door.
'The look on her face was priceless'.
Helena said with a smile.
'I really thought she would be taking over my events'.
'No you have too many important events for us to just pass them over, I hope you're okay with this'.
'Yes I am but can we draw up a contract one that states I want to be emailed not called because if she calls me I won't be impressed'.
Helena nodded.
'I will make sure she only contacts you by email'.
'Thank you'.
'Stefan'.
He jumped as he felt her hand on his shoulder.
'Sorry I made some food if you're hungry'.
She told him placing a tray on the table in front of him.
'I'm not hungry, thank you'.
'Stefan you need to eat'.
'I told you I'm not hungry'.
He snapped as he knocked the tray of the table suddenly making her jump and he looked at her seeing the fear in her eyes.
'Rebekah I'm sorry, okay I'm sorry'.
He told her as he stood up looking at the food and the smashed plate.
'I can't do this right now, I'm sorry'.
She didn't stop him as he walked away from her and back into the house.
Damon saw Stefan storm out of the house and head towards his car.
'Stefan where are you going?'.
Damon asked as he snatched the keys from his hands.
'Give me my keys Damon'.
'I heard the news'.
Stefan stared at Damon.
'Then you know he got out today, 10 years ago he killed my best friend and now he's free to walk and live his life what about her life, she never got to live her life Damon because he took it from her, he took her from me'.
'I get you have every right to be mad Stefan you do but what's done is done Lexi is still'.
'Don't'.
Stefan glared at Damon.
'She's dead Stefan'.
Stefan shoved Damon away snatching the keys back from him as he stormed over to his car.
All Damon could do was watch as he sped of down the street and then he turned to the house.
Rebekah was still outside when Damon found her clearing up the mess.
'Here let me get that'.
He said taking the dustpan from her and resting it on the chair, he didn't even notice she was crying until she looked at him and he frowned.
'He's not normally this angry you know, he's usually quiet but this year he's different, he won't let me in'.
Damon sighed as he embraced her.
'Don't take it personally today is going to be harder on him than before.
The man who caused the accident he got out of prison today, for good behaviour'.
'I didn't know he didn't say'.
'He wouldn't'.
She smiled at Damon's words.
'I need to get this cleared up and get the girls from school'.
'No let me do that I've been slacking on my uncle duties lately, I'll pick up them up and take them for ice cream and shakes'.
'They'd love that they miss you'.
Rebekah told him and he smiled.
'Of course they do I'm their cool uncle Damon'.
She laughed at his words.
'Thank you Damon'.
'Nik thanks for coming'.
Kol slid a glass to his brother who looked at it and then back him.
'You called, what's going on?'.
Klaus asked as he sat at the bar opposite Kol who slid him a piece of paper which he stared at and then back at Kol.
'They seem happy who are they?'.
He asked as Kol cleared his throat.
'It's Bonnie's mum and her new family'.
'She found her mum'.
'Not exactly her cousin Lucy is in town, she gave me this.
She doesn't want Bonnie to find her mum because of this'.
Kol said tapping the photo.
'Maybe she has a point, her mum made a new life herself, she started a new family after walking out on her old family.
Maybe Lucy's right'.
'It doesn't matter if she's right or not, it's not my decision to make if Bonnie wants to find her mum who am I stop her'.
Klaus nodded in understanding.
'I get that but Kol ultimately Bonnie could end up getting hurt again by this woman who clearly doesn't care about her because if she did don't you think she would have contacted her'.
'Don't you think I know that I know Bonnie could get hurt by this but me turning against her now after giving her my full support is going to hurt her too either way you look at she's going to be hurt either by me for keeping this from her or by her mum.
I don't know what am I supposed to do here nothing I can do will make this better for her'.
'Uncle Damon'.
Alexa exclaimed as she ran out of her classroom and into Damon who picked her up and squeezed her.
'Hey Bug look at you, so guess what?'.
'What?'.
Alexa asked.
'I'm taking out and your sister for dinner'.
'Really?'.
She asked and he nodded.
'Really, really now how about you get on my back and we go get Lexi'.
Damon chuckled as Alexa climbed onto his back.
'You hold on tight now'.
He told her as he walked around the building to Lexi's classroom where Lexi was standing beside her teacher who stared at Damon.
'Hey Lexi'.
He said with a wide smile his smile faltering when he saw Lexi's expression change.
'You okay Kiddo?'.
He asked looking at Lexi and then her teacher.
'Daddy said he was picking us up'.
Lexi told him sounding disappointed and he sighed as he helped Alexa down from his back and then walked over to Lexi kneeling in front of her.
'Your daddy he wanted too but he's very sad today'.
Lexi nodded and Damon couldn't help but smile she was very perceptive for someone so small.
'You know he loves you and your sister very much right'.
'Yes'.
'Good look I know I'm not your dad but we can have a good time right, we can go for ice cream and milkshakes, you still like ice cream and milkshakes don't you'.
He asked and she nodded with a smile.
'There it is look at that smile, you know I've missed you'.
Damon told her poking her dimple with his finger which made her laugh.
'Why is daddy sad?'.
She asked.
'He misses his best friends that's all'.
'I miss you both so much'.
Elena said as she stood by her parent's grave, she had been there for an hour or so cleaning up their graves from old flowers and notes left by Katherine the last time she came to visit.
She turned to leave when saw Stefan standing under a tree staring at a grave, Lexi's grave and she sighed.
She had been with Elijah when she saw the news about the man who caused the accident.
'I miss you Lex, it's not fair you should be here, my girls should know you.
Know the amazing woman they are named after.
You had so much to look forward to you know, we were going to travel before college go Italy and dance in the Trevi fountain.
You were going to become a roadie and follow Bon Jovi on their world tour, marry Bon Jovi like you always dreamed.
But he took that from you, he took you away from me'.
He choked back at sob as he wept at her graveside.
Elena couldn't stand to see Stefan so broken on his knees by Lexi's grave.
'Stefan'.
He turned to look at Elena as she kneeled beside him.
'Elena I didn't know'.
'I was just saying visiting my parents'.
She told him pointing in the direction of their graves and then looking back at Lexi's grave.
'I heard the news today, I'm sorry Stefan'.
'It's not me you feel sorry for it's her, I lived and she lost her life'
'I understand Stefan more than anyone why did my parents die and I survived, I ask myself that question all the time but nobody has the answers and I don't think they ever will'.
He stared as her hand rested on his own.
'I didn't know Lexi but I remember seeing you in the hallway with her laughing and smiling, I'm sorry I never got to know her'.
'Thanks for letting me do this Nik'.
Klaus nodded as he finished putting up the screen for Rebekah.
'So how is Stefan?'.
'Not good, I just hope this makes him feel better'.
'He has every right to be mad'.
'I know he does but you should have seen him, he scared me Nik and I've never been scared of him before'.
Klaus walked over to her and placed both his hands on her shoulders.
'Deep down you know he didn't mean to scare you, he would never hurt you but he is angry right now and his anger is allowed.
His best friend died beside him and he doesn't even remember it, he was in coma for days and woke to find out that she died.
I don't think anyone would truly get over that but I know that Stefan loves you and you need to remember that because it's the only thing that really matters his love for you and your love for him'.
Kol was sitting in the living room when Bonnie came home.
'Hey so my dad is watching Noah tonight, I think he wants to do some bonding with his grandson'.
She said as she leaned over the sofa to kiss him and he smiled.
'Can you sit for minute?'.
He asked and she nodded.
'Sure, it was so nice having Lucy in town even if was for a few hours'.
'Bonnie I need to show you something and I wish I didn't have to show it you I wish I was that selfish that I would just keep it to myself but I can't do that because I'm not that person'.
'Okay what do you have to show me?'.
She asked as he took the folded picture out of his pocket and handed it to her, watching as she unfolded it and then stared at.
'Where did you get this?'.
She asked not looking at him but at the photo staring at the faces of her sisters who looked exactly like her just younger.
'Lucy gave it to me earlier'.
'I thought she left because the idea of being a mum terrified her but here she is with her two perfect daughters and her husband'.
She now looked at him.
'Was it me was I the reason she left, she loved my dad I know she did but maybe she couldn't love me, I'm the reason she left him'.
'Bonnie no don't do this to yourself'.
'How can I not my dad was her 1st love and everything was fine until I came along and she left him, don't tell me not to blame myself for any of this when I know it my heart that I am to blame'.
She stood up and he went to follow after her but she put her hand on his chest.
'I need to be alone'.
'Caroline'.
He calls out her name as he walks through the front door.
'Upstairs'.
She replies not moving from the comfort of their bed.
Within seconds he is opening the door and she beams at him.
'Hi honey'.
Her voice soft as he walks over to her and kisses her.
'Hi, how was your meeting?'.
He asked holding her hand kissing the tips of her fingers.
'It went really well, how about you how was your day?'.
'It was okay, do you know what today is?'.
She nodded.
'Yeah it's the anniversary of Lexi's death I called Stefan earlier but he didn't answer so I left a message, have you seen him today?'.
'No I was helping Rebekah do something for him'.
'Is she okay?'.
'You know my sister if Stefan isn't okay she isn't okay'.
Stefan walked into the gallery after finding a note from Rebekah to meet her there.
Finding the door unlocked he walked inside.
'Rebekah?'.
He called out her name as she walked out to meet him.
'Hey I wasn't sure you'd come'.
She told him softly as he approached her.
'I'm sorry about earlier'.
'It's okay, I have something to show you'.
She took his hand and led him to the back of the gallery to the memorial section where livin on a prayer was playing quietly through speakers as images of Stefan and Lexi went past on the screen and he looked at her.
'I know you miss her Stefan and I know it hurts for her not be here be a part of your life but I just wanted to make easier for you even if it's just for today.
I know hard your birthday is without, I know that when we got married you wanted her to be there and I know that when you look at our girls you miss her even more'.
'I loved her and I want to be happy like I know she would want me too but I don't know how I feel lost without her.
We had so much we're supposed to do together before we grew up and when I lost her I lost that part of me all the plans we made to do before college I couldn't do them not without her it wouldn't have been the same.
You when you told me you were pregnant I wanted to call her and tell her but when I dialled the number I remember she wouldn't answer the call because she's gone.
She was supposed to be a part of all of this our lives, my life'.
His voice broken as he let out a broken sob and she embraced him as he fell apart in her arms, his tears on her shoulder and she didn't care he needed to do this.
Her hand running through his hair comfortingly.
'Daddy'.
Rebekah looked up as Alexa and Lexi stared at Stefan who turned to face them not hiding his tears from them as he kneeled down and they ran to him.
'Your friend is pretty'.
Alexa whispered and Stefan looked into his daughter her blue eyes and nodded.
'She was, you know I named you both after her'.
He told them and they both shook their heads.
'Her name was Alexa just like you'.
He told Alexa as he kissed her cheek and then he looked at Lexi.
'Some people called her Alexa but I called her Lexi only I could call her that'.
He told Lexi who had started to cry and he wiped her tears with his fingers.
'Don't be sad'.
'Your sad daddy'.
She replied and he nodded.
'I am sad but I won't be tomorrow I promise'.
I know it was a long one but worth it at least I hope you all think so.
So i just wanted to let you all know that my story timeline may seem confusing but just to clarify it's around the end of october in this chapter and that Caroline is 16 weeks pregnant just in case their was any confusion as I was starting to confuse myself.
As you can all see from this chapter I am about to leave all the happiness behind and step into the drama/sadness that i have coming as a little teaser love & tragedy go hand in hand.
Until next time enjoy.