A New Salvatore School

Caroline Forbes was sitting in a cafe. She was waiting for Stefan. He had requested a meeting before she left. 

"Oh my God, you look great." Caroline turned around. "That's an amazing dress." 

Caroline looked over her shoulder, she saw Stefan standing behind her.

"I know." She smiled, "Courtesy of Klaus Mikaelson." 

He sat in front of her. He didn't say anything for almost five minutes. 

"Caroline, I….."

"I am going to talk, Stefan." She told him. "Then, you can say what you want to say." 

"The Salvatore School, you might know that I opened it in your honor." She told her. "The school is moving to New Orleans because of more space. And, by the way, your kids are coming to school in three months. They have to attend school." 

He nodded. That was the right thing to do. It was expected of Caroline. She took a sip from her coffee. 

"You can have your house back because I have no intention of ever stepping foot in it, and Mystic Falls, of course." She told him, "I think I am over Mystic Falls. That small town life…."

"Caroline." He took her hand, "I am so sorry. It is….."

"She told me, Stefan." Caroline interrupted him. "Valerie told me the spell worked slowly, you could have come to me." 

"I am..."

"You had me think you were dead." Caroline interupted him harshly. "All you friends thought you were dead!" 

"Just listen."

"I am done, Stefan." She took off her necklace and slipped off her wedding band. "I am not holding onto a fairytale anymore."

"Caroline...I am so sor..."

"It's okay." She told him. "You don't need to be sorry, it's okay! I am just....I am done, Stefan, I am done,"

Stefan nodded, she stood up.

"You will not freeze me out of your life, Caroline?" He asked. "Please?"

Caroline was the one friend he had after Lexi. And, even though he had done her wrong, he wanted her to be in your life. 

"Drinks on me." She came towards him. "Any time you are in town."

She took his hand, and put her ring on his hand. 

"Consider this a reinstatement of our pact." She whispered softly.  "The one you made with me the day I turned." 

James and Valerie came out of the cafe holding two cups, they had been staying with Caroline for the two days. Now that their father was better, she was leaving them with him. To have a real family. 

He hugged her.

"Goodbye, Stefan." She whispered softly. "This is it."

Caroline saw the kids. 

"Hello, Jade." She smiled. "Hey, James."

"Is she my step-mom?" James asked shyly. "Dad?"  

"Was, Jamie. She was." Jade said before Caroline or Stefan could say anything. "Our father is just the silliest man alive."

"Okay." Caroline smiled, "That is my cue to leave!" 

She picked up her suitcase. She walked away to a cab.

"You must have met a thousand women in your lifetime." Jade said to Stefan, "And, even though I consider you to be a smart man, emotionally and mentally. I don't know how you did not see what he did." 

"What? Who?" 

"That Hybrid, he knew instantly. He was overjoyed to know the fact that you no longer hold her heart." Jade explained, "Worse, that you broke her trust." 

"I didn't…." Tears welled up in Stefan's eyes,he tried to defend himself.

"A man deprived of the capability of love for almost a thousand years just fell head over heels for her." Jade told him, "And, you……father, just let her go, without a fight." 

"I'm...I don't."

"I can't believe you let Klaus Mikaelson steal Caroline Forbes." Jade shrugged softly. "You might have to spend the rest of your life regretting letting her go."  

"I know." The tear fell down Stefan's face. "Do you really think I wanted her to go? But, I hold her back. Klaus Mikaelson might be the person who brings out the best in her."

"She is an amazing person, dad." Jade said, "She would have been perfect, PERFECT,"

"Who needs perfect?" Stefan looked at the cab Caroline was getting into, "When you have had Caroline Forbes by your side."

Caroline could hear everything, she smiled. 

"The Airport, please." She told the driver. 

"Right away, Ma'am." 

They watched the car speed away. Caroline laid back in the car as she closed her eyes. It was what she might need at this time. Something wild after ten years of total sobriety.