Our Future

Chapter 43

    The car ride was mostly quite and tense aside from the few comments and short lived conversations between Stefan and I. There was no doubt that I had missed out on a lot in the past few years, but I wasn't an idiot. I could sense the dreading feeling radiating off of my daughter. She had grown up, but she hadn't changed. I knew Lexi was wanting to avoid something, but I could only hope to get to talk to her in private without having to bring it all up in front of Stefan.
    Soon enough we pulled up to the old boarding house. Nothing here had changed. Damon's old Camaro still sat outside as polished and perfect as ever. The old heavy bricks that made the building stand strong and tall were still seemingly untouched, giving the boarding house it historic charm.
    With a resting hand on my mid back Stefan kindly leads me inside. As soon as we enter we are able to see everyone gathered around the couch drinking coffee and laughing. Bonnie is the first to get up and bring us over to join in.

    Getting to find out what I had missed out on wasn't what I expected. I didn't know how I was supposed to feel, but I did my best to put it aside and figure it out later. Hours went by and sometime after lunch, Tyler, Liv, Matt and Penny had left due to their schedules the next day. Damon and Stefan had made us a few drinks before dinner and while they cooked outside, Bonnie and I talked about her travels with Damon and many other things.

Caroline's POV

    I wanted to leave. I should have left, but I had to get used to this again at some point and stalling it wasn't going to help me one bit. Finishing off the last of my second glass of bourbon I walk into the kitchen in hopes of finding a little something to snack on before dinner. Of course, at that moment, Stefan walked in holding a plate of freshly grilled steaks.

Stefan:"Hey, Care-"

Caroline:"Hi, sorry I was just looking for something to snack on."

Stefan:"Well we should be eating soon, Damon is just finishing up a few of those grilled vegetables that Lexi likes so much."

Caroline:"Right...okay well i'll just go refresh my glass and meet you guys in the dinning room in a few minutes."

Stefan:"Actually Care, about Lexi-"

Care:"Stefan don't please,"

Stefan:"No really, Caroline. Lexi shouldn't have said what she did about us, about you, all of it was unacceptable."

Caroline:"Thank you Stef. She was just upset that she didn't have her mom, and now Elena's back so everything-"

Stefan:"-Is complicated."

    I inch closer to him and realize that I had been doing so throughout our entire conversation. I now only stand a few inches away from him, and am about to reach out for his hand as we stare into each other's eyes. 

Elena:"Stefa- oh sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I just wanted to let you and Damon know that Bonnie and I finished setting the table."

    I take a step back as soon as I hear her voice break the silence and wait for her to leave, but she doesn't. Instead, she grabs a bottle of wine that Bonnie had set out earlier and waits for Stefan to walk with her.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

How could I honestly believe that I could try that.

    I did my best to brush it off and walked into the dinning room to eat with everyone else. Damon walked in shortly after and soon we all began eating.

    Everyone enjoyed their dinner and a rather lively conversation that I tuned in to hear every once in a while, but for the most part I stayed silent. I tried not to say much fearing that Elena would say something about the awkward moment in the kitchen and the fact that I was sitting next her was no help. Thankfully, I was able to make it through dinner and said a general goodbye to everyone before walking out the door.

Stefan's POV

    Back at home Elena was exhausted and went to take a shower while I hung back in hopes of talking to Lexi.

Stefan:"Okay it's time to talk."

Lexi:"Yeah look Dad, I'm sorry. I'll apologize to Caroline, and I'm sorry for getting wasted."

Stefan:"Thank you for your apology and I hope you do apologize to Caroline because what you said was really out of line."

Lexi:"I know."

Stefan:"It isn't like you. I know that you were upset about your mom, but you know it wasn't okay. I am so happy that you finally have your mom back that we finally have your mom back, and that's why I hope that your outburst on your birthday was just a one time thing. Aside from all of that, I want to know where you got the idea that Caroline and I were..."

Lexi:"What? that you were what?!"

    By now she was growing angry and I myself was too.

Lexi:"Fine if you won't say it I will. She has feelings for you. I don't know how you've been so blind as to not see it! Or maybe you want to stay in the dark maybe you're afraid you actually want her back because it'll make you feel shitty about give up on mom!"

Stefan:"That's enough!"

Lexi:"You know what it is. At least now I know where you stand."

    I went to cal out for her but before I could get a single word out she had sped upstairs and slammed the door to her room. I walked up the stairs not knowing what I was going to when I got to the top, but as soon as I reached it I saw Elena leaning on the door frame.

Elena:"Is she okay? Are you?"

Stefan:"We will be. I think. Did you-"

Elena:"Hear everything? Yeah, kind of. Sorry I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

Stefan:"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have caused a fight with her."

Elena:"You're both just trying to figure out a lot of emotions,"

Stefan:"Maybe."

Elena:"So, you and Caroline-"

Stefan:"It's- there's- I mean we're not,"

Elena:"It's okay, Stefan. I was gone for a long time."

    I couldn't look at her, a huge part of me was second guessing everything. At this point, I had to wonder if my daughter new more about me than I did. Elena stepped forward and took my hand in hers. I looked into her perfect brown eyes and before I knew it, she leaned in slowly and pressed her lips to mine. Her kiss was soft, gentle, and light.

Elena:"I love you Stefan. I always have, but you need to find what makes you happy now. Lexi will be okay. I know you want her to be happy and I want that too but she will be okay it'll just take her some time to adjust."

Stefan:"I love you,"

Elena:"I know and if, when you're able to make a decision, you and I can find our way back to each other; I'll be right here waiting."

    She was the person I had always known selfless, caring, perfect. I tucked strand of hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead.

Stefan:"Thank you."

Elena:"Always. you should head to bed; I'm going to check on Lexi. I'll see you in the morning."

Stefan:"Okay. Goodnight, Elena."

Elena:"Goodnight, Stefan."

XXX

Here's a new chapter!!! I had the hardest time writing this one. Mostly because I couldn't bring myself to actually write down this idea. A huge 'stan' side in me hates me for even thinking about this situation let alone publishing it to the book, but the writer in me thinks it could very complicated and interesting, so I hope you all like this chapter, and I hope I can count on your opinions/thoughts/reactions in the comments. 

                 Much love,

                             Cami💛💛