Hi everyone! Here's chapter 8! I've attempted some links at the bottom but I'm not sure if they'll work. Also, this fic was inspired by the song Can You Love Me Again? by John Newman. Please listen to it if you don't know it because it just makes me think of Klaroline! I think they'll only be 2 or 3 more chapters after this one and one will be an epilogue. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, favourited or followed this story or me! I hope you'll stick with me to the end :)

Happy reading guys!

Lily woke up to sunshine gently streaming through the pastel-coloured curtains of Caroline's guestroom. Noticing that Ella was still soundly asleep, she got up and went to the bathroom to shower. Twenty minutes later and she was ready for the day ahead of her and decided to venture into Caroline's kitchen in search of food. She was slightly surprised to find Caroline already awake and rummaging through the cupboards as it was still early but she didn't complain. She needed all the time she could get to convince her to come home with her.

"Good morning." Lily said, taking a seat at the island in the kitchen.

"Morning. Would you like some breakfast?" Caroline asked, ever the hospitable host despite the fact she would be cooking for the daughter of the infamous Original Hybrid.

He had been plaguing her thoughts ever since she realised exactly who Lily was. Of course, he was always on her mind wherever she went, whatever she was doing but being in close proximity to Lily had triggered a flood of suppressed memories and emotions. She had barely gotten any sleep. And when she had, she had dreamed of him.

"Sure, that sounds nice." Lily mumbled, still unsure about how to act around Caroline.

"I was thinking bacon, eggs and toast. Sound good to you?" Caroline asked. It was weird taking care of someone after being alone for so long. But it was nice.

"Sounds great! Just no marmite on the toast. I hate marmite." Lily said, scrunching her face in distaste.

She missed the smile that spread across Caroline's face as she turned back to the fridge to get the eggs and bacon.

"Me too." Caroline whispered too softly for human ears to pick up.

Sometimes there was companionable silence between them and sometimes they chatted as Caroline cooked and Ella got showered and dressed. Caroline couldn't help but ask Lily questions. After all, it had been nearly eighteen years since she had had any contact with the Mikaelson family and her curiosity burned.

"Not to be rude but what exactly are you?" Caroline asked.

"I get that question a lot and it's a difficult one to answer because nobody really knows. It would be easy to assume I am pure werewolf considering what my parents are but my dad was a vampire before he triggered the curse so there are elements of vampirism in me. I haven't killed anyone so I am not a werewolf yet but it could happen. I hope not though. My mum used to look awful the day after the full moon and she always said she would never wish it on anyone."

"So what are your vampire traits?"

"I think the purest one comes down to my food. I like my meat rare but I can't stomach blood. We try it every year to see if my appetite for it grows but so far it just makes me feel ill. I'm more emotional than normal a teenager which is hard to deal with and I always get my own way. I know that sounds awful but it's kind of like compulsion. I can't compel people but it's easy for me to get things to go the way I want them to. It's pretty handy if I'm going to parties and need to pick up some booze." Lily grinned at her causing Caroline to smile back.

There was something about Lily that Caroline couldn't help but like. She was honest and sweet and funny. She felt a strange pull towards her which made her want to take care of her and bond with her. Perhaps subconsciously she sought her approval because she was Klaus's daughter and she wanted this girl to like her. She pushed that thought away quickly because she knew that seeing Klaus again was impossible no matter how much Lily wanted it to happen.

Ella stepped into the kitchen and began to devour her breakfast, mumbling in approval. They chattered and laughed together and Caroline was reminded of simpler days back home in Mystic Falls when Bonnie was alive. Bonnie, Elena and herself used to just chatter and laugh over breakfast and at sleepovers. The memories made her heart hurt.

"I could only get tickets for a flight which leaves tomorrow at noon so you're gonna be stuck here until then. What do you girls have planned for the day?"

Lily and Ella shared a glance which spoke volumes to Caroline. She knew there was something suspicious afoot.

"We were planning on going shopping for dresses to wear to my birthday party. We could probably use your help." Lily stated nervously.

"Why would you need my help?" Caroline asked, folding her arms and narrowing her eyes, a stance that the two girls were quickly recognising as suspicion.

"Well, you know the city better than both of us and know the best places to go. And Bekah told me about the events you organised in high school so you would know exactly what we're looking for dress-wise." Lily implored.

Caroline knew it wasn't Lily's fault that she was blessed with wide blue-green eyes which were the exact replica of her father's. Caroline knew that it wasn't Lily's fault that she had dimples in her cheeks that popped out at the slightest smile. She also knew that Lily probably wasn't aware that she was giving her the puppy-dog eyes and pleading look that always, without fail, made Caroline crumble and do whatever was asked of her.

"Okay, I'll come with you. I don't have anything better to do anyway." Caroline grumbled before turning away to wash up.

Lily and Ella shared a triumphant smile.

xoxoxo

"This is pointless! I look horrible in everything!" Ella squealed, stomping around in front of Caroline who was waiting patiently for the girls to try on their next batch of dresses.

Caroline blinked as she took in Ella's appearance and desperately tried to think of something constructive to say.

"Well, it's not too bad..." She finally said as her fingers tapped the glass of champagne she was holding.

Ella looked at her incredulously.

"Mint green is supposed to be a nice soothing colour, so why do I look like a Christmas confection when I wear it?" Ella yelled.

Her reddened face was just making the Christmas confection image even stronger in Caroline's mind.

They'd been shopping for hours and had had little success. They had tried several stores and boutiques but every dress Lily or Ella tried on just didn't sit right on them, the colour wasn't right or it was just too uncomfortable. The desperation was beginning to show.

Lily stepped out of her dressing room with a gloomy look on her face. He dress clung to her like a brown sack.

"Oh Jesus, Lily! Why on earth would you pick brown? That is the worst colour for a ball ever!" Caroline exclaimed before launching herself to her feet.

"Right girls, get back in your dressing rooms and leave this to me!"

They did as they were told and a few minutes later Caroline returned holding a dress for the each of them. She passed them through wordlessly and waited with bated breath for the results.

Ella was the first to step out and had a stunned look on her face. Her dress was a soft cream and golden colour, off the shoulder and fell to the floor gracefully. It was made from marble-effected taffeta and seemed to shimmer as she moved. It had one shoulder with a bow detail extending from the shoulder across the chest. The colour was an exact match for her hair.

"It's beautiful." Ella whispered.

Before Caroline could respond, they heard the door to the other dressing room open and Lily stepped out to reveal her dress.

Ella and Caroline were both stunned into silence.

"What?" Lily asked nervously, patting down the sides of her dress.

Lily's gown was ice blue and emphasised the thick, darkness of her long chocolate hair and complimented her confusingly coloured eyes. The dress had shoulder straps that clung to Lily tightly and moved down into a light chiffon that flowed and matched each other. It had a vintage and delicate feel to it as the dress flowed from tightly fitting Lily's body to ending in a slight flair around the knee. Although the colour was predominantly a light blue, there were elements of soft grey and dark grey around the bottom of the dress. The bodice sparkled a little from little silver jewels.

"It's perfect." Caroline said, feeling pleased and smiling as she saw Lily smile at herself in the mirror.

"Will you try on one for us, Caroline?" Ella pleaded.

"Oh, I don't know..." Caroline trailed off.

"No, please. We'll pick it out for you, just for a laugh." Lily insisted before dashing off to find the dress she had seen earlier and thought Caroline would look perfect in.

Lily handed her the dress and ushered her into the dressing room, noting the small smile Caroline made as she touched the material.

It had been a long time since Caroline had had girlfriends.

As soon as the door closed, Ella shoved Lily and indicated her phone.

What are you doing? Your dad dressed her in blue didn't he? –E

Lily sighed and typed out her reply.

Yeah, but don't you think red will appeal to his dark side? –L

Ella frowned and typed back.

I suppose it would but don't you think blue would be better if he likes her in blue? –E

I thought that but I've got a good feeling about this dress. –L

They both watched as Caroline came out and span for them a bit giggling before disappearing into the changing room again.

Yeah, I think it's definitely going to work! : ) –E

Gathering the dresses and leaving Caroline to get changed, Lily took all three over to the cashier and handed over her dad's credit card.

"Make sure the red one stays hidden." Lily said smiling.

xoxoxo

After spending the rest of the day shopping for accessories, the three returned to Caroline's apartment and for the first time in a long time she was glad of the company. It had been a nice day and despite her better judgement she was becoming fond of the two of them. Ella was constantly saying things to make them all burst into giggles and Lily was charming and kind, so like Klaus and yet so unlike him too. It made her heart ache for him and she was beginning to see Lily as a real friend.

They ordered pizzas when they got in and opened the snacks and sweets they had picked up from the supermarket. Plopping down in front of the large TV, the girls began to make their way through Caroline's extensive film collection. The slight squabbles over what to watch first and how to share out the food made Caroline reflect wistfully on the girls nights she had spent with Bonnie and Elena over the years and she realised she had missed them so much. She had spent such a large amount of time trying to block out her feelings but being around Ella and Lily made her realise how happy she had been at one time in her life and how sad she was now that it was gone.

She also realised that trying to bury her feelings wasn't going to work. If two strangers could make her happy and laugh in just twenty-four hours, why had she been running for the last eighteen years? What had she even been running from? Was it possible that she could have been happy from the very beginning if only she had followed her heart and not her head?

Caroline was racing towards something she wasn't sure she was ready for yet.

So she avoided it, if only for a little while, by chatting aimlessly with the other two.

"So, are you two seeing anybody?" She asked candidly.

It was funny how in just a short amount of time she was becoming fond of these two girls and viewing them almost as if they were siblings.

She noticed the blush that crept across their cheeks and gasped, nearly flinging popcorn everywhere as she bounced with excitement.

"Spill it! You have to tell me! I haven't had girl talk in years!" She cried.

"Okay, okay. I'm seeing a boy from the school across from us. We go to an all girls' school and there's an all boys one across the way. We come together for assemblies once a week and school dances. I met him at last year's prom." Ella confessed, her blush deepening.

Caroline put a hand to her chest and sighed.

"That's too cute! Okay, now you Lily."

Lily pushed her hair back in embarrassment.

"I'm seeing an older guy; he attends Tulane as a sophomore. He's a bit nerdy and his intelligence I think nearly outstrips my dad's. We met at an open day last year and we've been in contact ever since. He seems unattainable because he's at university but that just makes me like him more." Lily ended bashfully.

Caroline just smirked.

"You are so like your dad." She commented.

Lily blushed but mumbled a confused thank you.

All too soon, it was getting late and Ella and Lily had to turn in for their flight back to New Orleans the next day. Caroline was clearing up when Lily came back into the living room, clad in her sleepwear.

"Caroline?"

"Yeah?"

Lily took a breath.

"I just wanted to say thank you for having us. It's been so nice finally meeting you and getting to know you. I understand why my dad is fascinated by you. I hope we didn't put you out too much. I just wanted to get to know the woman my dad has been in love with since before I was born. I know what he did hurt you but he wouldn't change what he did because I know he loves me but he does regret losing you."

Caroline sighed and opened her mouth to speak but Lily cut her off.

"No, please, let me finish. I love my family very much but even I know that something is missing. Even before my mother died, I knew that something was missing from our family and I know that that person is you. You make my dad happy beyond measure and you have become almost like a sister to me in the short time I've known you. I know we've only just met but I feel like I've known you my whole life and I know you would make our family complete. I understand you don't feel the same but I just wanted you to know."

Lily finished her speech to a stunned Caroline with a smile that displayed those dimples perfectly.

The image of those dimples and Lily turning her back on her caused Caroline to finally take a chance.

"Fine!" She huffed causing Lily to squint at her in confusion.

"I'll come with you! I'll compel myself a place on the plane and I'll see your dad. Happy?"

Although she was huffing and looked irritated, Lily could see the spark pronounced in her eyes and the slight upturned corner of her lips.

She raced across the room to hug her and whispered a fervent thank you into her shoulder.

Caroline tensed before relaxing and hugging her back, the smile still evident on her face.

carolina_herrera_one-shoulder_marble_taffeta/thing ?context_id=1222202&context_type=lookbook&id=44428585

Ella's dress.

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Lily's dress.