If I never see you again: Epilogue- Ever After

Disclaimer: The characters and other things from The Vampire Diaries don't belong to me. Credit goes to the rightful owners

A/N: Here it is…the last chapter. Thank you again for taking the time to read this and I hope you enjoy this last installment. And a special thanks for all the reviews, I loved reading them! :)

Beep.

"Hi. I'll be home soon. I just…I just need some air. Don't miss me too much."

Caroline did not expect to be back in Mystic Falls so soon. She thought Matt would live longer than 40 years old. She thought that somewhere along the way Rebekah would be able to convince him to become a vampire so he could live on like the rest of them. She thought he was more likely to die of supernatural causes, what with the friends he had. But no, Matt got sick and did not get better. He died holding Rebekah's hand, frail and painfully human…but content.

Caroline kicked some of the dirt at her feet and sighed. "I'm sorry I wasn't at your funeral. Well, I was but I couldn't exactly waltz up there with all of our old classmates and blame my looks on Botox. We…we were all here Matt. Bonnie was the only one who could get close but the rest of us watched from a distance. We had our own service of sorts. Elena and Damon came, bickering like an old married couple. Even Katherine came but that was probably because Elijah dragged her along to support his sister. Stefan was there for Rebekah, Matt. She's pretty devastated you're gone, you know? Somehow it didn't matter that she never became human as long as she was with you, as long as you were happy."

She sighed and sat down on the bench, gripped the seat tight as she continued. "Of course, Klaus is here with me…in case you're wondering. I know, I know…no one expected us to last, hell, even I didn't. He's got the world record for worst anger management issues and I'm a control freak. Not exactly the recipe for a fairy tale ending. Unlike when you and I were together, we made sense. It was stable. If I weren't a vampire, we would have grown old together right here in Mystic Falls complete with the white picket fences and homemade pies. With Klaus and I, it's like fireworks on the fourth of July—loud, colorful and chaotic but a freaking sight to behold…the kind that makes you just stop and stare. And you just say, that is one beautiful disaster."

"And how about when you were with me?"

Caroline smiled but didn't turn around. She'd know that voice anywhere.

"Tyler."

"The one and only," Tyler said as he sat down next to Caroline.

"Hmm, let's see." Caroline said frowning in mock concentration, her face softening after a while. "I think you and I were doomed from the start. Romeo and Juliet, you know? There was never really a good ending in sight but it was stuff stories are made of."

Tyler smiled and nodded, hesitating slightly before continuing. "It's good to see you, Caroline. It's been a while."

"Please." Caroline said with a teasing smile. "I know you kept tabs on me. Do you know how many times I had to pull Klaus back by the neck of his shirt to keep from shredding your spies? FYI, they were not stealthy. Tell me, did I look good in the pictures they took?"

"Alright, it's good to see you in person." Tyler said. "And yes, you looked absolutely, breathtakingly…happy."

Caroline merely smiled at him and waited for him to keep talking, to finally ask about the man who waited for her, probably listening to her voicemail message right about now.

"So…Klaus." Tyler exhaled. "Is he going to come out of the shadows and rip my head off for talking to you?"

Caroline laughed, "No, he's on his best behavior today."

"Really. I find that hard to believe…he seems like the jealous type." Tyler said with a small smile.

"I haven't given him a reason to be jealous and I don't intend on starting anytime soon." Caroline said softly, smiling to herself as she spoke. "I love him, Tyler."

"Rainbows and promises kind?" Tyler asked.

"Always and forever kind." Caroline said, turning serious. "Like what you had with Grace. Tyler…I'm sorry for your loss. It's about ten years too late but I'm sorry she died so young. She seemed like a good person…you must miss her."

"Now who's keeping tabs?" Tyler said with a forced smile.

"Actually, it was Klaus who kept up to date on your life. Not to, you know, maybe kill you or something." Caroline said quickly. "It was more so he could let me know the big stuff. He knows you're important to me, Tyler. Even if I'm not in love with you, you'll always be one of my best friends."

Tyler let out a deep breath, "I can't wrap my head around it. To me, he's still a monster. There are still moments when I just want to take you away from him."

"I wouldn't recommend that." Caroline said. "Unless of course you have a death wish, then it really is the fastest way to get into trouble."

"But I look at you now…" Tyler said turning to Caroline, watching as the dying sun cast a soft glow over her features. "And I know that you're no longer mine."

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

Caroline turned around to see Klaus standing behind them, his face a mask of forced calm. She rolled her eyes and stood up to walk towards Klaus. She stopped a foot away from him and blocked Tyler from view. She lifted a finger to his chin and turned his face towards her.

"Get that murderous look out of your eyes and listen to me." Caroline said sternly. "Tyler is walking out of here in one piece. Is that understood?"

"He's newly single and basically told you that he'd like another chance with you." Klaus said his eyes narrowing to slits as he looked again at Tyler.

Caroline held his face with both her hands, trying but nearly failing at suppressing a smile, "My bags are packed and tomorrow I'm leaving for Tokyo…with you. Just you."

Klaus closed his eyes briefly and placed his hands over hers. "I swear, love, everyday is a new day I'm afraid to lose you."

Caroline laughed and touched her forehead to his, "I love you too, Klaus."

Tyler cleared his throat, "I really don't want to watch or listen to this. I'm going to go now. I just wanted to pay my respects to Matt. I have to go…Caroline?"

Caroline turned around and walked over to give Tyler a hug. "If there's anything you need, you know how to find me okay? Don't be a stranger."

Tyler squeezed tight, "If he hurts you…I'll come running."

Klaus raised his eyebrows but said nothing. Caroline shot Klaus a warning look and he merely gave her a look of feigned innocence.

Caroline let go of Tyler and kissed him on the cheek before stepping back to let Klaus wrap his arms around her waist from behind.

"Klaus." Tyler said with a curt nod.

"Tyler." Klaus said in return.

"Remind me again why I'm letting Tyler walk away without even so much as a fatal scratch?" Klaus said.

Caroline leaned to the side so she could glare at him, "The green-eyed monster is not a good look for you."

Klaus let a smile spread through his face before placing a quick kiss on her lips and twirling her around to face him. "I know. I look better with a black tie."

Caroline threw her head back and laughed, "Yes, like a modern day prince charming."

"Funny you should say that," Klaus said as he stepped to the side to reveal something, "Your carriage awaits."

Caroline's eyes widened in surprise at the horse drawn carriage waiting for them. "What in the world…Why? Is this another one of your so-called fictional-but-actually-historical tours? Does 'William' have another past love you want to tell me about?"

"No," Klaus said as he tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear, "Actually, it's time for him to ride off into the sunset with the love his life. Do you want to hear about it?"

Caroline smiled and took his hand, "Happily ever after time…finally. Then what are we waiting for?"

Klaus smiled and squeezed her hand as they walked. "Nothing, love. Absolutely nothing."