Say You Won't Let Go - Klaroline

Chapter One

Caroline almost didn't notice the flowers sitting on her table when she pushed her way inside the house, dropping the bags of groceries on the counters. Almost. But she did. And she didn't remember inviting anyone in to set them down, or rather, she didn't remember asking her friend to invite anyone in to set them down. She set her purse on the counter by the groceries and walked slowly over to the table, glancing around the room as she did. Everything else seemed perfectly in place. A quick glance at the flowers showed no card. She stared at them for a few moments before lifting her phone and shooting a quick text to Alaric with the picture. Thanking him for the birthday flowers but insisting that next time he should just wait until she was home and not creep her out. She set the phone down on the counter and began putting the groceries up, sure to put Lizzie and Josie's yogurts on the top shelf in front. She knew that as soon as they walked into the house tomorrow after school they would grab one and plop on the couch. She and Ric had a pretty good custody thing going, they shared week and weekends, in the summer normally they all went on a family vacation somewhere, it wasn't awkward at all and it worked out for everyone. Her phone rang and she glanced down, thrilled to see a face time request from Ric, most likely it was the girls telling her goodnight. She answered and leaned back against the counter. However instead of seeing two tired little girls on the screen she was greeted with Alaric's concerned face.

"Let me see the flowers." He demanded. Caroline lifted an eyebrow and thought of so many sarcastic comments she could make but sensed the urgency in his voice. She just turned the light on behind her and turned the phone to the table so Ric could clearly see the ginormous bouquet of bright red roses. "Care.. you know the girls and I get you flowers for all of your birthdays, but those aren't from us. Your flowers from us wont be delivered until tomorrow, on your actual birthday." He said. She turned the phone back so it was facing her and frowned.

"Are you sure?" She asked, glancing back to the arrangement. It was beautiful, fresh. Her favorite flower was the rose but normally Ric and the girls only sent her a dozen or half dozen because roses were pricey. There was at least 4 dozen there, sitting in the vase on her table.

"I'm positive. Maybe you have a secret admirer?" He joked, wiggling his eyebrows. She laughed a little.

"Sure, or maybe its Elena and Damon. They are supposed to be coming to visit for a weekend soon. 'with exciting news'," She paused, making the air quotations, repeating what Elena had said. "Either way, put my babies on the phone to say goodnight. I've had an especially long day and I really want to see their faces before I go out tonight. Mckenna is dragging me to some old movie and downtown festival for my birthday since tomorrow I would rather be an 'old lady' and sit with my girls." She said, making a face. Ric laughed and called the girls. They had a few more seconds of chit chat before the phone shifted and instead of Ric's face, she seen two perfect little faces. She put her hand to her chest. "Hi beautifuls. Oh my gosh mommy has missed you guys today. It's been a long Friday. But I picked up some popcorn and cucumber masks for our girls night in tomorrow night!" She said, the girls squealed and danced.

"Mommy, can I do your makeup and Lizzie does your nails tomorrow for your birthday tomorrow night?" Josie asked, pushing her face against Lizzies to see into the camera. Lizzie protested that she wanted to do makeup. They began going back and forth and Caroline smiled, watching them. After a few seconds she intervened.

"Hey Liz, guess what?" she waited until the girls were quiet. "Mommy has brand new curlers and I can even go grab some temporary hair dye if you want. maybe pink and blue?" she asked. Lizzie smiled and nodded her head. They spoke for the next few minutes before saying good-nights and disconnecting. Caroline stood holding her phone for a few minutes, just staring at the beautiful arrangement of flowers before walking over to them and sniffing them. They smelled amazing, and beyond fresh. She allowed her mind to ponder for a few moments on the prospect of a secret admirer before getting distracted by a banging on the door. Caroline jumped and clutched her phone before realizing it was just Mckenna. She moved down the hall and opened the door. "Dear God.. you scared me!" She said, pulling her best friend into a hug. Mckenna laughed and hugged her back.