Protecting Them (Only His Series: Book 3) *NEW VERSION*

Chapter 30

Alex's P.O.V

I was sitting on the ground while the kids played with their toys and Caroline talked to us. My mind was still thinking over my conversation with my brothers. They had a point, yes, and did their point still meant my children were alive, yes. But I knew I shouldn't do anything without Klaus having a say. I didn't want to. Now whether that was because I didn't want to find out the truth, or deal with one of his outburst if I didn't include him, I didn't know. Behind me, Tyler sat on the couch. He kept glancing over at my kids and it didn't sit with me right, which is why I place myself in between them. Matt sat on the armchair where Elena was sitting and my brothers stood behind the couch.

Caroline was standing in front of us as she spoke, "You've all asked what you can do to help. There is five days' worth of projects here." Caroline showed us the list in her hand. "We are going to do them in one. We can break the rules and cut through the red tape." I watched her in concern, while Leo rocked back and forth on his hands and knees in the corner of my eye. "Yeah. I expect my mom to be properly celebrated and buried by the end of the day." She was hiding her pain behind a fake smile as she talked to us cheerfully.

"Sure, Care. Whatever you need," Matt told her, and we all nodded when he looked at us.

"Elena," Caroline said while looking at her. "You're coming with me."

"Where are we going?" Elena asked.

"Casket shopping," Caroline replied with a smile, before looking at everyone again. "Let's move." She then made her way to leave with Elena and handed the list over to Stefan. Damon came over and bent down next to me as my full attention went back on my kids.

"I can compel a babysitter to watch them while the funeral is going on," Damon offered and I looked at him.

"Thank you for the offer, brother, but I really don't trust anyone with them. Since we're all going to the funeral; they're coming with me. Then I'll just stay at the back of the church in case they get fussy and I have to leave the room," I explained and Damon nodded.

"Ok, but let me know if you change your mind," Damon said.

"I will," I told him and he stood up again before going upstairs.

*Flashback 1855*

Stefan and I were standing above Mother's grave. Damon hadn't shown up at the funeral to give his eulogy as he promised. Stefan was holding onto my side and my arm was wrapped around his shoulders. I managed not to cry throughout the ceremony, but I knew once I got home and the silence sat in that I would break. A few moments later Damon walked up to her grave with a bottle of whiskey in hand.

"You missed your speech," Stefan said as if he had no emotion, and I looked up at my older brother ashamed.

"I know," Damon said, unable to say anything else.

"Why?" Stefan asked.

"I did not know what to say," Damon answered honestly. Stefan started to cry and looked up at our brother while I looked away from him.

"You could have just said goodbye," Stefan cried. I rubbed his arm in an attempt to comfort him when he turned and hid his face in my stomach. Damon looked at us guilty because he knew there was nothing he could do to make up for it.

*Present Day*

I paced around downstairs, while the kids took a nap before the funeral. I was trying to reach Klaus and it took two tries before he answered. "Yes, love?" Klaus asked. "Are you alright?"

"We're fine, don't worry," I told him. "But I need to run something by you."

"Ok?"

"You remember when I explained Daniel's tribrid theory to you?" I asked.