AN: This fic will be wrapped up by Wednesday, and you all are so lovely for reviewing! I love your reviews! Thank you guys so much!
Another decade has passed, He tells her, Jeremy has two children. He keeps his distance of course, but he talks to Jeremy weekly. His wife knows that they are friends, and he doesn't think her brother has explained anything to his wife or children. They grow vervain in their yard, disguised with other white flowers-given to them by Elijah. The wedding was beautiful, she had been told. Jeremy had toasted to her. Elijah had attended, and there had been an empty seat next to him. He told her how his wife asked Caroline and him, much later, when the after party was thinning out-who Elena was. And why her husband looked like someone had died. Caroline had gently explained, that Elena was Jeremy's sister, technically cousin, and she had explained his family tree-and that Elena had died when they were teenagers. Caroline added that she and Elijah had known her briefly. Jeremy rarely acknowledged it.
"He's the only Gilbert left." Caroline had told her, hoping the human would understand.
"He and Elena were so close, especially after all of the loss they went through. His parents died in a car accident when he and Elena were younger, and then their aunt Jenna died, her boyfriend Ric who was like a father to them. Elena's parents died too, all within a few years. He's been through a lot." Be gentle with him. He's not damaged, don't treat him like that, just be aware. Caroline wanted to say, but there were tears in her eyes, and Elijah led her away.
Elena's surprised at the world, how it's changed. She feels selfish for even thinking of it, but there have been a few times she had wished Bonnie would hurry up. Then she had berated herself-Bonnie deserved to live and have a life. There was so much time to think. Elijah kept her mind sharp, he had added podcasts and lectures in the playlist. She feels trapped. Like she'll never get out.