Lights Flicker And Fade : Kol Mikaelson [3]

278: We're Planning A June Wedding

a/n: the end of this chapter is so chaotic, and I kinda adore it, even if it's not necessarily perfectly TVD lmao - remember to comment vote x
- Bea <3

MJ smiled as she offered out her arm, letting Caroline's soft fingers gently slip through and grip, an old waltz accompanying their steps, a bouquet carefully organised in her hand. A few paces ahead were Josie and Lizzie, carefully tossing petals out of a basket as Ric beamed on, Bonnie carefully following behind, keeping them on track. Bonnie bobbed her head, taking in the number of unfamiliar faces Damon had compelled to attend, any of Caroline's extended family too far away for the rush. The flowers were pink, a purple carpet across a fake white floor, pressed into the carefully trimmed garden of the estate, long branches outlining the audience.

Then, the pair stepped into the sun.

MJ had to admit, not only was she proud of Caroline's dress, and the way it glittered in the light, she was also pretty chuffed she'd managed to make a replicate of Bonnie's dress for herself. No, she would not be answering questions about how many shops she broke into that night, and no, she would not be answering questions about why The Twins woke up with headaches.

She couldn't stay another night...

Pushing that thought away, MJ sent a smile to one of her best friends.

She took in the way Caroline's hair bounced, re-curled, styled to accompany the tiara on her head, the top half slightly plaited, then twisted into ringlets, adding more lift to her features, eyes perfectly accented with just the right among to glittering gold eye shadow, thin black liner, and peach perfect lipstick. She was beautiful. MJ had always known Caroline was beautiful – through the mass hair straightening and stick liner, MJ's own clothing choices hardly much better, she had seen how gorgeous she was.

And, as Stefan's eyes landed on them, it was clear he'd realised it too.

MJ sent him a smile, before turning to beam at the bride, their arms linked, carefully descending the cobblestone steps, towards the flower arch at the end of the aisle.

The girls were ferried into two seats near the front, Bonnie standing just to the left of the empty stand, Stefan on the right, Damon in the middle. As Caroline stepped up to join them, MJ gave her hand one final squeeze. A nod. A reminder. If Caroline didn't want to follow this through, she did not have to, and MJ would interject and run away with her without hesitation.

Lightly, MJ kissed Caroline's knuckles before finally letting her face her fiancé.

Then, she stepped to the right, the grooms' side, shaking her head as Stefan couldn't help but laugh. Except, something shifted. MJ watched it in Caroline's eyes, confused from the lack of vampire hearing as her lips moved, as hush as one could be, darting to the large blue necklace at her throat. MJ had slightly questioned it – especially when Esther's necklace from the prison world was an option. Damon had given it to Caroline as her 'something borrowed.' A symbol of Elena. But, instead, that was wrapped around her wrist so Stefan's gift could be front and centre.

Caroline sent her a look of panic.

MJ nudged her head to the door.

Caroline shook her head, chin bobbing to the necklace, and mouthing 'Katherine.'

MJ instantly turned to the stands, scanning faces, counting the regular civilians, hit with a terrible yet brilliant realisation. She finally didn't recognise them. Sure, a few weren't complete blanks – enough were regulars from The Grill who hadn't changed too much in five years, but a large number of them were new. Was that because she'd moved away? Was it because she'd died.