Love Me Soulfully

III. Learning Pt 1.

Previously on Love Me Soulfully

"We are all downstairs waiting for you when you are ready. We'll be heading to the cemetery for his service.", Jenna reminds the Elena, giving her niece a peck on the temple and a small squeeze on her shoulder before the redhead leaves Elena alone once again.

The piece of paper burning in her mind sits folded on her dresser in front of her where her Aunt just placed it. And with a burst of confidence and courage, she grabs the letter and lets her eyes water as they fall over the final words of John Gilbert.

'Elena,', it reads.

'It's no easy task being an ordinary parent to an extraordinary child. I think it's very safe to say I failed epically in that task. And because of my prejudices, and my refusal to listen I have failed you. I've always been haunted by how things could have been had I stepped up to my role as the father you needed. And I still am to this day. Perhaps things might have played out differently if so. Maybe I'd been more willing to hear what you had to say. But they didn't. Because of this, it's the end for me. But it isn't the end for you. For you, this is a chance to grow old and someday do better with your own child than I did with mine. Jeremy should have the ring of your true father's, Grayson. And it's for your child that I give you my ring. Protect them the way I should have you. I don't ask for forgiveness, nor for you to forget. I ask only that you believe this. Learn from my mistakes. Whether you are reading this as a human or a vampire, I love you all the same. As I've always loved you, and always will. John.'

Now.

After the Memorial Service of John Gilbert, Salvatore Boarding House

Stefan takes Caroline, and Elena to her house, asking Bonnie to stop by when she could to check on them. He was going to be a bit busy today, so he needed someone he and they all trusted to watch over them. Once he deems them safe, Stefan brings Jeremy back to the Boarding House, knowing the young human needs to be with Lexi. Stefan understood both sides of the issue but agreed with Jeremy more. If Lexi ended up passing. There was no way she was going to die alone. No. She was going to die surrounded by family and loved ones.

"Jeremy when we get there, you can't open the door. You can be there for her, but you also have to keep yourself safe too. You can't let her touch you until I've talked to Klaus. She won't restrain her strength and could kill you with a snap of her fingers.", Stefan warns the dark-haired human as they approach the edge of the Salvatore property. Jeremy wants to protest and be right by Lexi's side, holding her hand tightly every step of the way. But he knows Stefan is right. If he was around her now and killed him accidently, and there was a cure, she would never forgive herself. She would ask for death, and Jeremy didn't want that for her.

"Yeah. I understand." Jeremy mumbles sadly. Stefan doesn't reply as they walk through the front door. Damon, Bonnie, and Jessikah are the first thing the two 'young' men see when they enter the living room. Jessikah is sitting in between them and talking animatedly about the book series that Damon had given her earlier.

"You are no doubt a Slytherin, Damon. You have the arrogance that Draco has. Bonnie, you seem very knowledgeable and smart and wise. You would be a good Ravenclaw.", She beams at the amused vampire and witch.

"Are you talking about Harry Potter? Man, I love that series! Are we talking about the movies or the books?", Jeremy gushes as he enters the conversation.

"What are movies?", Jessikah asks confusedly. Jeremy looks at her strangely.

"What are movies? Dude have you been under a rock?!?" Jeremy chuckles out incredulously. But when no one replies, and the awkward silence grows Jeremy flushes with embarrassment, and Bonnie coughs uncomfortably. Damon realizes that there needs to be an introduction of some sorts.