I Hate the Way...

Part 69: "Trust Your Gut, Honey"

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"I can see why you like her."

Josie blinked, her brows knitting together in confusion when she looked around, trying to piece together where she was at.

She stood at the edge of the dock, but not the one outside her home with Hope. It was the dock at the Salvatore Boarding School, where she grew up with her dad, her mom and her sister.

She could hear the soft sounds of the water lapping against the wooden posts of the dock, the moon was hanging low in the distance, reflecting off the water, there was a cool breeze that brushed against her skin and through her hair, and she felt a calmness settle over her.

She turned around, slightly startled by the voice, and her breath caught in her throat.

Caroline stood there, her mom. The blonde vampire, who Josie thought she'd never see again, stepped closer to her. "She's charming," she added, her voice light as a small grin tugged at her lips.

Josieks heart skipped a beat, "Mom?" Her voice came out unsure, unable to trust her own eyes.

Caroline's grin widened, nodding her head. Josie's smile immediately reached her eyes, reaching out to pull her mom into a tight embrace. She missed the warmth of her hug and the comfort they gave her.

That's one thing she's also grown to appreciate about Hope, her warmth and her comfort.

"I missed you so much," Josie's voice was muffled in the embrace, but Caroline heard her clearly.

"I missed you too," Caroline held her for a moment longer before pulling away to add, "I've already checked on Lizzie." She said it as if this was the most natural thing in the world. "It took you a little longer to fall asleep..."

Caroline cleared her throat, assuming she knows part of the reason why. Josie felt heat rise to her cheeks at the teasing sound of her mother's voice. But Caroline can see the confliction in her gaze, and her own eyes soften at her daughter.

Josie looked down at her hand, toying with her ring for a moment, "I guess I've been a little in my head lately."

"A little?" Caroline raised an eyebrow at her, her expression both teasing and pointed.

Josie sighed, her shoulders deflating a bit. Her mother still knows her so well. "Okay, maybe a lot," she admitted quietly.

Caroline ushered her head toward the dock, silently telling Josie to sit with her.

Once she sat, Josie sighed, trying to gather her thoughts. She considered brushing off her mom's concern, but she never gets the opportunity to ask for Caroline's advice, so the words began tumbling out before she could stop them. "It's all so complicated with Hope. First there's dad, trying everything in the world to prove this isn't real. This marriage...it's not supposed to be real, but it feels real. And I don't know how to deal with it. What if I'm just imagining things? What if it's all in my head?"

Caroline nodded, listening intently as she reached for her daughter's hand comfortingly. "And what does your gut tell you?"

Josie's eyebrows furrowed, "About dad or about Hope?"

Caroline shrugged, "Either. Both."

Josie let out a sigh, contemplating it, "There's always more to the story with dad, and ever since you died, I've felt like...I've been missing the full picture."

Caroline's expression changes subtly, but she doesn't say anything, she just sits and listens to her daughter.

"It's like he hates me for not hating vampires. For not hating Lizzie. For not hating Hope..."