This child of mine

Epilogue: Ever after

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

Caroline sat at the coffee shop, sipping slowly as she watched the people around her. They were mostly college students, studying quietly or laughing with friends. She was tucked away in the corner but still she felt the energy of the entire place. Caroline smiled to herself when she heard one of the boys at the other table greet a newcomer, clapping each other on the backs in welcome.

"Hi," said the latest addition to the table next to hers. "Are you waiting for friends or something? Mind if I borrow this chair?"

Caroline looked up and met the eyes of the boy. He was in his late teens or early twenties, tall with broad shoulders but lanky frame, unruly mop of hair that framed a rather mischievous face, an amused glint in his deep blue eyes. He tilted his head at Caroline when she said nothing.

"Have we met?" the boy asked slowly. "You look kind of familiar."

"No," Caroline lied. "I don't think so. I have a fairly common face…you're probably thinking of someone else."

The boy narrowed his eyes, not quite believing her but letting it slide. "Well, Ms. Probably Someone Else, I'm Sam."

Caroline looked at the extended hand and she had to stop herself from shaking.

"I knew a Sam once. Sammy," she whispered, missing how Sam frowned a little when she said his name. "I'm Caroline…and yes I'm waiting for company but just one person…you can take that chair if you like."

"Thanks…" Sam said not moving, his hand still on the chair, as he tried to figure out why Caroline looked familiar. "Are you from around here?"

"No, actually." Caroline said. "I'm just here to see an old friend."

Sam shook his head at her, "I swear I know you from somewhere. Your voice…"

"I'm sorry I took so long."

Caroline peeked around Sam and found Klaus standing there with a playful smile on his face. She composed her face and tried to look stern. "You're late."

"Yeah." Sam said lifting the chair. "This is now officially awkward."

Sam turned around and dropped the chair on his toe, hopping a bit as he tried to regain his footing. "Professor. I didn't know it was you…I'm working really hard on that paper. I've got some really good stuff about you know…wars and plagues and you know."

"Mr. Donovan," Klaus said not breaking eye contact with Caroline, whose mouth had fallen open in surprise. "I'll be the judge of how 'good' that 'stuff' really is once I see your work on my desk no later than ten AM on Monday. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir." Sam said in mock salute, rolling his eyes for Caroline's benefit before taking the chair and getting back to his friends.

Klaus rolled his own eyes and shook his head, which was the last straw and left Caroline bursting with laughter. Klaus' lips split into a smile as he held out a hand to Caroline. "Walk with me?"

The walked out of the coffee shop hand in hand, both of them sneaking glances as they passed the boy who had borrowed a chair. The door closed behind them and they never looked back.