The Original Ripper

Chapter 25: "I am thankful to have my family back"

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

Driving into Mystic Falls for thanksgiving she felt like she didn't belong. Maybe it'd been too long since she'd been there or maybe it was the lack of morals her family had affecting her again but it didn't feel the same. As she drove up to the address Caroline sent her she looked at the house with a sigh before getting out and walking into the house and hugging Caroline tightly. "It's good to see you Layla, wow I love your shoes." Caroline exclaimed and Layla handed her some shoes of her own.

"I've never had a thanksgiving before so I'm very new to this whole thing, I got you a present I'm not sure if that's how it works." Layla half rambled handing her three bottles of wine as well.

"It's all okay Layla. How has everything in New Orleans been?" Caroline asked making Layla shrug.

"Nothing that I was surprised by. I mean my mother and father are alive, Kol and Fin are back but only in witches bodies. Nik lost his daughter and Elijah is off the rails." Layla informed Caroline who looked at her wide eyed.

"I shouldn't have taken you off work then." Caroline stated.

"Its okay, is Stefan around?" Layla inquired.

"Are you two still together?" Caroline asked.

"Yeah my family just needed me more than everyone back here." Layla informed Caroline.

"Right um yeah right. Come." Caroline ushered her into the room and Elena looked at her with narrowed eyes as Layla twinkled her fingers in a taunting wave with a smirk. "Alright everyone gather around the table at their assigned seats." Caroline ushered and Layla walked around and her name was next to Tyler's. She looked up at him with pursed lips.

"How you doing wolf boy?" Layla asked sitting down next to him awkwardly.

"I'm just human now and I'm fine thanks." Tyler grit out.

"For the record I'm not Niklaus." Layla denied sternly.

"Yeah but you sure have acted like him in the past. Whatever I'm over it." Tyler sighed holding his hands up.

"Oh sorry I'm late" Some guy called out as Tyler pointed to a spot on the table next to him.

"We'll all go around the table and say something we are thankful for." Caroline smiled looking around.

"Anyone want to see some embarrassing baby photos of Liv?" The guy asked with a grin. Layla leaned over and looked back at Caroline.

"Oh right um first off Liam this is Layla Mikaelson, our old friend, she's Stefan's girlfriend, um Luke, Liv this is Layla you know." Caroline jittered out rushed. "Also now would be a good time to shut off anything with a button. Layla then got her phone out turning it off.

"What are you watching?" Some girl asked walking in and Caroline huffed in annoyance.

"That kind of sounds like your voice." Elena commented.

"It is my voice I took that video 18 years ago." She said sternly. "I took it at a birthday party for the twins, Lucas and Olivia." She breathed out softly.

"Jo as in Josette?" Luke asked standing up.

"You guys know each other?" Elena asked confused.

"I'm their sister" Jo answered. Layla took a sip of her wine sighing.

"So if you don't know each other than how did you all end up at the same tiny liberal arts school?" Caroline asked stepping forward.

"We had a friend here, Shelia Bennett." Jo answered.