Three years fast forward
Sadness after losing someone dear is one of so many emotions that is lingering but in time the fondest and happiest memories take over and the heart finds its breath again.
Elijah put flowers on Auroras grave.
"I am so sorry that it took me such a long time to come here. I wrestled with so much, but mostly with this feeling of guilt"- he said and took a pause looking up in the skies and then back at the tombstone and continued-"I should have done things differently- neither you or me were truthful to one another - and I don't really know who we really were- I didn't really know you, did I?"
He stayed a while longer silently making his own peace with the tremendous mix of different feelings that were attached to her, him and her death.
*****
In Toronto
Elena's life had changed as well. A lot. Her life was work, but she had continued to spend a lot of time with Ryan. And all the hooking up brought a new addition in her life - a baby girl, whom she called Jenna after her aunt. Ryan was immediately wrapped up in his daughter. Elena loved being a mom. She felt it was a blessing of a special kind. Everything was right as rain. Except that she evaded getting married.
"It's not that I don't like you, we are so good together the three of us!"- she said to Ryan as he mentioned the M word.
"Someone must have hurt you so bad, that you have closed your heart forever"- he said to her.
"Getting married just for Jenna would not be right. You know what you mean to me, but..."- Elena started and Ryan finished for her-
"I know... you are not in love with me?!"
Elena sighed-"Please, let's not spoil what we got"
"I love you...but I guess, someone else has taken your heart and...I get it!"- Ryan said.
They came to an agreement soon after that they would always share the parenting duties, but whatever their relationship was - it was over.
Months floated away in what seemed a new course for her, Caroline, Klaus and even Elijah. And Caroline had the biggest thing happening in her life centering everyone's lives around her.
*
Elena put her two year-old daughter Jenna to sleep.
"Sweet dreams" - Elena whispered blowing a little kiss before she moved away from the girl's bed.
She then went to the living room checking her phone. They were loads of messages from Caroline about her wedding planning agenda.
"Call me asap"- was the last one.
Elena smiled and now pressed the speedial.
"Seriously, Lena- everything is going wrong- I will fire her as well"- Caroline shot before Elena could say anything.
"This would be the third wedding planner you would fire, do you know that?!"- Elena tried to be the voice of reason and calm.
"I should have done this all by myself"- Caroline continued in her stressy tone.
"You definitely should have taken six months off and do it yourself- I told you that!"- Elena reminded her friend.
"OMG- I can't believe that no one can organize a simple wedding?!"- Caroline moaned.
"SImple??!!"- Elena had to react to the word that was a paradox since Caroline never did anything simple.
"I wish I could have you here-"- Caroline then said lowering her tone.
