The Other Side

The End

I fix my dress as I stare into the mirror. My eyes are still puffy, and the deep ache I have in my entire body. There's a makeup stain on his pillow, and his shirt is sprawled on the floor from when I woke up.

"Mom?" Sam comes in and I look at him. "Hi." I whisper. "Are you okay?" I bite my lip. "No."

"Evie has Caleb... The funeral is about to start." I close my eyes then I nod. "Okay." We head downstairs and into the backyard. I take slow breaths, and I see the white rocks where he is buried, and the small headstone that says:

Loving someone can make you a liar.

"Where did this come from?" Jeremy puts a hand on my shoulder. "Damon came to me last night. He told me that you were saying he lied to you. He wanted me to tell you that loving someone too much can make you a liar." I shake my head. "That's bull."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Elena."

"It doesn't matter. Obviously we don't matter if love makes you a liar."

"He says that's not what he meant."

"Tell him that it doesn't matter. It won't after today." The last part I say almost silently. I feel an arm on my shoulder and I shrug it off, knowing it's him.

When we begin, Evie starts with the eulogy.

"My Dad was one of the only people in my life that understood me. I thought that eternity meant I'd never have to loose him. But I did.

Daddy, if you're listening, don't leave me. Don't leave Mom. We c-can't do this without you. I can't d-do this. I'll never be able to get the awful memory out of my head for as long as I l-live. Please, don't leave me. I can't do this. Sam can't either. It's like imagining death. The tears won't stop. I didn't sleep last night because I couldn't. Now Uncle Jeremy is g-going to take..." She collapses and Christian takes her into his arms, bringing her back to the seats.

"Stefan, Katherine, Damon wants you to know that he loves you both. He's only had you, Stefan, for the better of 178 years. You and him will always have the bond two brothers should share for eternity. Kath, he says you may have started out as a colossal bitch, but if it weren't for you, then he and Elena would never have met. He wants you to know that he forgives you for everything, even if he's never said it out loud." She laughs then Jeremy looks over at Alaric.

"Ric, Damon wants you to know that you've always had his back. Despite the dick he's been, you never gave up on him. And he wants to always have your back, no matter what. He wishes you luck with Meredith."

After a few more people, he reaches Evie.

"He says he loves you. He wants nothing more to stay and watch you be happy, but that can't happen. He wants you to know that if he had it his way, none of this would be happening. He's sorry for leaving so soon, and he wants you to know a name: Kali."

"Why?"

"He says it's a good name." She smiles but then breaks down into tears.

"Sam, your Dad says that he has enjoyed watching you grow into the man you are. He's so proud of you, and that you and Evie are the best things that he's ever done. He has no regrets, except for the beautiful memories he'll never get to see. And his one last request is that you don't get a love like you have twice. Once you turn eighteen, marry Juliette." He freezes and Juliette blushes.

"Elena." I look up. I gasp and that's when I see Bonnie smiling at me. "You should get to say goodbye." Evie and Sam look at each other.

"Mom, what do you see?"

"Damon." I look down at my lap and I squeeze tears out of my eyes. He crouches down.

"I love you so much."

"Don't do this. Don't tell me goodbye."

"I don't really have a choice. I wish I did. But I don't."

"No-"

"Elena, listen to me. I don't have very much time. But there's something you need to know." I shake my head and I begin sobbing. I slide out of my chair and Damon wraps his arms around my body, supporting me. I bury my face into his chest, and I permanently etch every move he makes, the way he gently strokes my hair, the beautiful kisses he plants on my head. "I love you, Elena Salvatore. Thank you for all of the memories. Thank you for being the epitome of my life." Suddenly I fall forward, and I let myself fall to the ground. I cry into the grass, curling up into a little ball. I scream, because that's the only thing that'll relieve this deep aching pain in my chest.

Wait... But that's not the only way.

I come to this new realization and I stand up.

"I need to be alone."

"Mom-" Evie starts. I put my hand up. "Please. Leave me alone." I head into the house and I begin packing Caleb's clothes after writing two letters. I take two deep breathes as I stare down at my son. I put a picture of Damon and I into the small suitcase because I have no idea how long we'll be gone. I grab a picture of Damon myself, along with one of Evie, Sam, and Caleb. Just so they know there's still a part of me that can be saved.

So they know I'm not gone forever.

I kiss his forehead. "I love you, Caleb." I feel a hand on my shoulder. I know what he'd say. Don't do this. You're better than this, Elena.

"I'm sorry, Damon. But I'm not as strong as you are. There's no way I can handle this. Please understand me." I move and. I grab the pictures before going downstairs. "Evie!" I flash out of the house just as I hear footsteps.

Evie's POV

I walk into the nursery, and all of Caleb's things are packed. Two letters sit side by side.

"No..." I run all around the house. "MOM!!!" I run into Christian. "Evie, what's going on?"

"S-She left. She's going to flip the switch."