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CHAPTER 03: HOME IS NOT A HOUSE

❝ i prefer to live in the moment. ❞

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CAROLINE AND STEFAN WERE OFFICIALLY ENGAGED. Enola received the news in the early morning hours thanks to the thin walls. She immediately woke up and took her daughters to the Mystic Grill for breakfast to give them some privacy. She wanted to enjoy the morning with her girls before it inevitably went to hell like it always did. She introduced them to her all time favorite treat—a peanut butter blast with whipped cream on the bottom. It reminded her of home.

When Enola was little, home meant the house she drew in crayon on white printer paper, the one that was supposed to look like the place she lived in. Home meant where she came back to after school every day to eat her snack and do her homework. But now more and more she finds that home is such a different concept. Home is not where she slept most nights, it is not a house with a family who never talks. Not the place where she pretends she is fine and smiles so they won't hear the truth rattling behind her teeth.

Home is where her friends are laughing so hard that their stomachs begin to hurt. Home is the bookstore she used to go to every day after school to study so that she could graduate early. Home is her siblings teasing and joking around with toothless grins. Home is all the art she paints when she is sad. Home is drunk camping at her parents lake house with the people who make her feel less alone. Home is where her children play in the front yard as she watches from afar with her husband. Home is not a house, it is everything else.

"Surprise!" Bonnie and Enola cheered in unison the moment Caroline awoke. The blonde squealed in surprise, quickly grabbing the sheets to cover her naked body as she looked around the room to find it decorated in golden balloons and banners.

"What—What are you guys doing here?" Caroline stuttered, quickly covering her naked body with the sheets on the bed.

"You are engaged," Bonnie reminded, producing a bottle of champagne out of nowhere. "So we are celebrating."

"Where are Hope and Finn?" Caroline inquired looking around.

"Alaric is working from home today and volunteered to babysit. There is something about that nanny that I do not trust." Enola explained. "But that doesn't matter right now. You are getting married!"

"First, we are going to drink too much champagne. Then, we are taking you wedding dress shopping." Bonnie continued. "I know it is a little early, but you are going to try on thousands of dresses before you find the perfect one, so we may as well start now."

"I love you guys and this is amazing," Caroline expressed. "But you guys don't need to put on a happy face for me right now. I know that the last thing you guys probably want to do is celebrate the next step in my relationship when both of your relationships are at a bit of a stand still right now."

"Listen—I missed a lot of big milestones in your lives. I want to be here now." Enola expressed. "Please let me."

"Besides," Bonnie leaned forward. "You literally asked us to be your bridesmaids when we were ten years old. You have been waiting for this your whole life. We are happy for you." She popped the cork on the champagne. "I swear."

"Okay, but I promise we are going to find Enzo and you two are going to be happy and you are going to get married on top of the Eiffel Tower." Caroline ranted, though Enola could slowly see the smile disappearing from Bonnie at the very mention of Enzo.

"First thing is first," Enola cleared her throat. "Planning your June wedding."

"Oh my god. Yes!" Bonnie squealed. "The June wedding!"

"The June wedding!" Caroline shook with excitement.

"And," Enola continued, pulling a thick booklet out into the open.

"You snuck into my house and found my old wedding book?" Caroline gasped.

"How else were we going to out Caroline Forbes Caroline Forbes?" Enola grinned.

"This is amazing. You guys are amazing. Thank you." Caroline smiled softly. "I'm getting married!"

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People observe the colors of a day only at its beginnings and ends, but to Enola it is quite clear that a day merges through a multitude of shades and intonations with each passing moment. A single hour can consist of thousands of different colors. Waxy yellows, azure blue, vermilion red. As an artist, she makes it a point to notice the differences. Which is why she found it so easy to tell the difference between ivory white and eggshell white.

Enola and Caroline had admittedly spent the past hour arguing about the difference as Bonnie sat back with a glass of champagne. Who knew wedding dress shopping could be this stressful. Enola had just worn the dress her mother had worn and she looked really good. Good enough for her husband to want to take it off later that night. She was sure that her friend would look good no matter what and found this argument to be useless. Thankfully, Caroline had decided the same and changed the subject completely.

"Let's talk silhouettes," Caroline turned to the bridal consultant, Tiffany, with two very different dresses. "Focus on A-lines and sheaths. I'm open to trumpets, but easy on the volume."

"Less dress, more bride." Tiffany nodded.

"Exactly. Thank you." Caroline grinned, ushering Tiffany away with the two dresses. She then turned to her best friends with a large smile. "Now let's work on finding the perfect bridesmaids dresses for you guys."

"I hate to bring this up—lord knows we have had enough arguing for one day—but who is going to be your maid of honor?" Bonnie inquired hesitantly.

"I think you deserve it way more than me, Bonnie." Enola said.

"Me? What about you?" Bonnie frowned. "You and Caroline used to be really close—in multiple ways considering you used to sleep together."

"Which is exactly why you should be the maid of honor," Enola announced. "You have been by her side when I couldn't be. If anyone deserves it, it is you."

"Or," Caroline spoke up. "You could both be my maids of honor?"

"Is that allowed?" Bonnie frowned.

"Who cares?" Caroline scoffed. "It is my wedding. If I want two maids of honors, I will have two maids of honors."

"Well, I am honored to be one of your maid of honors." Enola grinned.

"That makes two of us," Bonnie grinned excitedly.

"Good," Caroline nodded. "Because I am going to do everything within my bridal power to make sure you and Enzo live happily ever after." She grabbed the bouquet of pink roses off of the table before stepping up on the pedestal. "I have got killer aim and no qualms about rigging the bouquet toss." She turned her back to them with a bright smile. "Ready?"

"Yup!" Bonnie hummed.

"Catch!" Caroline exclaimed, tossing the bouquet back to where Enola and Bonnie stood. But before the flowers could reach either of them, a sudden hand intercepted. They all turned to find a familiar face smiling maniacally at them.

"Damon, what are you—" Enola cut herself off when the body of Tiffany fell to the floor with a thud. "Bonnie, run."

Bonnie took off in the opposite direction. She knew she wouldn't be able to escape outside. Her next best bet was to hide and hope. She had faith that Enola and Caroline could handle Damon. Her theory was proven correct when she peeked out from the rack in time to find Enola pinning Damon to the wall with a broken chair leg. She made sure to graze his heart as a warning not to move before reaching for a roughed up Caroline and a hidden Bonnie.

They were able to escape before his back up arrived.

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Enola stepped into the Salvatore Boarding House behind Caroline and Bonnie who was currently on the phone with Stefan. She was suddenly very happy that she decided to leave her daughters with Alaric for the day. She didn't want either of them to see that side of the world just yet. She had taught them all about the beauty of magic, but the horrors of it would remain hidden if she could help it.

"Stefan, if Damon wants me dead then I am dead." Bonnie stressed.

"Why is he coming after you? It makes no sense." Stefan panicked.

"None of it makes sense," Caroline groaned, snatching the phone. "But we are probably going to need weapons. Lots of them." She stormed over to a throne-like chair in the living room before pulling the seat off. She groaned in annoyance as she stood up straight. "The throne is empty."

"Right. Yeah. Sorry. I was child proofing. I do not want Hope or Finn to get hurt while they are staying with us. But the crossbows are still in the library." Stefan informed. "Listen—I am going to try to track Damon, and with any luck, the drone will lead us back to the queen."

"And when you find her?" Enola questioned out loud.

"Ric is still working on that part," Stefan sighed before calling out to Alaric. "Your deadline just went more up. You don't have days. You have hours."

"How are my girls?" Enola questioned.

"They are watching movies in the next room with Lizzie and Josie," Stefan informed. "Do you want me to get them?"

"No. It's fine." Enola decided. "As long as they are safe."

"They are," Stefan reassured. "I will call you guys with updates."

Stefan hung up the phone and Enola walked into the library with Caroline and Bonnie following close behind. She still remembered every hiding spot like the back of her hand. And none of them seemed to change over the years. She smiled to herself when she found one of the crossbows hidden behind a bookshelf.

"Do you think we could get away with not inviting Damon to the wedding?" Caroline inquired. "I mean, even if we do save him?"

"He is going to be your brother in law and likely Stefan's best man," Bonnie reminded. "Sorry."

"Fine!" Caroline sighed in exasperation. "Fine. But he is not sitting at the head table."

"Where is all the ammo?" Enola questioned, whirling around.

"Upstairs?" Bonnie suggested, leading Caroline and Enola out of the library and into the hallway.

"I'm starting to consider a destination wedding. Try finding a Mystic Falls venue that hasn't been the site of a horrible atrocity." Caroline ranted as they passed the living room. Though they paused when they caught a silhouette out of the corner of their eye. They turned to find a beautiful woman with smooth tan skin and chocolate brown hair.

"Hi, Bonnie. Hi, Enola. I am Sybil." She introduced. "So glad to finally meet you two."

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Enola and Caroline stood protectively on each side of Bonnie as Sybil flipped through a familiar scrapbook. The room had settled into a tense silence. It was no surprise seeing as there was an intruder. How did this day turn into such a disaster? Why couldn't this drama wait until after the wedding? Unfortunately, there was no clear answer to any of these questions.

"This is really nice work—Caroline, is it?" Sybil hummed, eyes moving across the scrapbook in mild amusement. "I'm not sure about riding in on the unicorn, but I love this charmeuse and the tiara design is exquisite."

"Yeah, well, I made that in the sixth grade." Caroline shot back, crossing her arms over her chest. "So congratulations, you have the fashion sense of an eleven year old!"

"Do Enola and Bonnie have one?" Sybil inquired.

"Scrapbooking really isn't my thing," Bonnie said.

"I prefer to live in the moment," Enola shrugged simply.

"What do you want?" Caroline demanded to know.

"Simple," Sybil snapped the scrapbook closed. "I want to know what makes Bonnie and Enola so special. What is it about the both of you that has Enzo and Damon wrapped around your flawlessly manicured little fingers?" She paused for a moment. "I mean, I get Bonnie and Enzo. They have the whole star crossed, witch-vampire thing going for them." She tosses the scrap book onto the couch before standing up. "It is the Enola and Damon thing I don't quite get. Did you guys ever—"

"Once," Enola answered flatly.

"And one time is all it took for him to be completely devoted to you?" Sybil quirked a brow. "I get it. You are obviously gorgeous. I can admit that. I'm not blind. And neither is Damon. Who, in case you have yet to notice, is scorching. I mean, you can't spell Damon without damn. So why did you reject him?"

"A number of reasons," Enola shrugged. "But none of them matter considering that I am now married."

"That would explain why he is so bitter," Sybil chuckled. "Though that doesn't explain how the both of you inspire so much devotion in two men who are supposed to be completely devoted to me. So why don't you all sit down and we will have a little heart to heart." No one made a move. "I can make you. But it is excruciatingly painful and it will mess up your hair."

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Enola and Caroline sat on either side of Bonnie. In case Sybil tried anything, only two of them were immortal. However, she seemed more interested in the bourbon on the coffee table than a cat fight. Though she might not have a choice seeing as the tension in the room grew thicker by the moment. All it would take was a few more minutes for the hair pulling to begin.

"So what is the secret?" Sybil inquired. "What do Damon and Enzo see in the both of you?"

"I have no idea," Bonnie shrugged lamely.

"Surely you ladies can think of something," Sybil sighed, taking a sip of bourbon.

"Clearly a lot more than they see in you," Enola scoffed.

"Wow," Sybil chuckled in amusement. "You are a feisty one. I might see what Damon sees in you."

"Whatever you are trying to do here—it will not work, you are not going to get what you want." Caroline spat. "Something you should know about Bonnie and Enola is that they are fiercely loyal and they would do anything for the people they love."

"Really? Now that is something we can work with." Sybil grinned as a lightbulb seemed to flash behind her eyes. "So the both of you would do anything for Damon and Enzo?"

"I don't know about anything," Enola muttered. "But I have been known to lend a helping hand or two."

"Here is the thing, ladies." Sybil cleared her throat as she took a seat on the couch across from them. "I need two loyal soldiers and these two can't seem to cut loose from their ties to the past. It is beginning to work my last nerve. So I realized that I only really need one of them. The other will die and live an eternity of darkness and pain. So . . . I will let the both of you choose. But you have to agree."

"You're crazy," Caroline scoffed in disbelief.

"No. I am just very old, very set in my ways, and very annoyed." Sybil announced, eyes flickering over to Enola and Bonnie. "Choose."

"I get it. You are jealous. You see a love that you didn't have to siren someone into. A love that isn't about you. You feel threatened. So naturally you have to destroy it in the most sadistic game you can imagine." Bonnie noted. "Forget it. Not playing."

"You are no fun. You know what was fun? Ancient Rome. The Colosseum. Gladiators. Sweaty oiled up men hurling themselves at each other. So hot." Sybil smiled, doing the rest of her bourbon. "You will see what I mean soon enough. Because in exactly twelve minutes, Damon and Enzo will fight to the death. They do not have a choice. I willed it so. One of them will lose. So if you girls will not choose, then I guess we will just let them boys settle it among themselves."

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Bonnie drove down the empty highway with Caroline in the passenger seat. Enola was forced to sit in the back with Sybil who was sitting far too close. The tense silence said all that needed to be said; they would all rather be anywhere else. Except for Sybil. She was nearly shaking in excitement. As if this was the best reality show she had ever watched. Though she could do without that incessant beeping noise.

"Why does the vehicle keep making that infernal sound?" Sybil inquired.

"It is reminding you to put your seatbelt on," Enola muttered in annoyance.

"Well, you can remind it that I am immortal." Sybil scowled at the attitude.

"And this is how you choose to spend this gift?" Caroline questioned. "You just escaped over two hundred years of captivity. Why are you not on a beach in Saint Tropez sirening Channing Tatum to give you foot massages?"

"No offense, but you got to admit that seems a little small for a mythological creature of your stature." Bonnie said.

"That is only because you don't know what awesomeness awaits you," Sybil shot back. "Now step on it. We don't want to miss round one."

"Please stop talking," Enola sighed, leaning back in her seat.

"But there are only five minutes left. This is so exciting." Sybil grinned. Her smile only faltered when she received no response. "Oh, come on! What happened to all that sassy backtalk? Oh, right. It is probably easier to talk tough when you have your magic to back it up."

Bonnie currently had no magic. She overdid it. Some things truly never change. It used to be a comforting thought. But there was no magic spell that could fix this anyway. They were going to have to use the power of teamwork and friendship if they wanted to beat this annoying wench.

"Or maybe we would rather sit in silence than hear you talk," Enola scoffed. "And here I thought the voice of a siren was supposed to be soothing. You make it sound like nails on a chalkboard."

"Ouch. Somebody feeling powerless right now?" Sybil teased. "But here is the ray of sunshine; you and Bonnie have all the power. All you have to do is come to a decision. You can decide who gets to live and who gets to spend the rest of eternity in never ending emotional torment." She noticed the way they all tensed. "Oh, you guys know about that, right? They are homicidal monsters. They have done the worst things imaginable. Where do you think they are going to end up? Some cloud filled afterlife? No. They are going to the other place. Where all they will know is loneliness and despair. Forever and ever and ever."

"And she is still talking," Caroline huffed.

"What about you, Caroline? What do you think Bonnie and Enola should do?" Sybil inquired. She didn't wait for a response as she leaned forward and grabbed a hold of Caroline's head. It only lasted her a few moments before she was torn back by Enola. Though she was still very amused by what she had seen. "Oh, you think Stefan is gonna swoop in and save them from having to make such an untenable choice. That is putting a lot of faith in your fiancé. When Damon and Enzo start tearing each other apart, do you really think Stefan is going to let Enzo kill his brother? No. He is going to choose Damon. Poor Enzo. Nobody is choosing him. You are not even choosing him, Bonnie. Are you just gonna sit there and allow Enzo to die?"

Bonnie stayed silent for a long moment. Damon was her best friend and Enzo was the love of her life. But at the end of the day, she knew exactly who she would choose. She just hoped it wouldn't have to come to that just yet. No. She still had so much she had to do and this entire thing was making it very difficult.

"No," Bonnie muttered finally. She didn't wait for a response before slamming her foot on the brakes. The tires screeched as Sybil flew out of the windshield head first and fell straight onto the concrete.

"You guys okay?" Caroline questioned.

"Peachy," Enola groaned, eyes flickering to the body in the road. "She isn't dead."

"Nope," Bonnie hummed. "But now she has to walk."

Bonnie stared down the road again but not without running Sybil over for good measure. The car settled into another tense silence as they looked at the clock. It was ten minutes after three. The fight has begun.

"We will make it in time," Caroline spoke confidently.

"No. Sybil is right. Stefan is going to protect Damon no matter what. I cannot help Enzo. I have no power." Bonnie whispered dejectedly. "She is right. There is no one who can fight for him."

"Then I will," Enola decided. "I promise."

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Meanwhile, Stefan was having a difficult time stopping Damon and Enzo. He had tried to separate them only to get tossed to the side effortlessly by his own brother who had only called him here to help kill his friend. He was running out of ideas.

Damon pinned Enzo against the wall of the gym before reaching for the heart that resided deep within the chest. However, Enzo was able to stop Damon with a hand around the wrist. He shoved him back before breaking the wooden end of a shovel in half and charging at him full force. The makeshift weapon only grazed his chest before he was harshly shoved to the ground.

Enzo looked up to find Stefan with the broken end of the shovel. He wore an apologetic look on his face as he came to a decision. He was going to rescue his brother no matter what. Though it wasn't that much of a surprise. He would do anything for his brother. But before he could, a hand caught him by the wrist. Enola. She had left Bonnie and Caroline in the dust the moment she had gotten a whiff of blood. She was a hybrid which meant her senses were far more enhanced than a regular vampire. Even if they were older.

"I can't let you do that," Enola said sternly.

"Stay out of this," Stefan warned.

"I promised Bonnie," Enola continued.

Enola tore the shovel away from Stefan. Before he even had the chance to blink, she was smacking him with it across the face. He flew across the gym with a broken neck as she wielded the broken shovel like a dangerous weapon against humanity. And in her hands, it just might be.

Enola felt the presence of Damon immediately. He attempted to snap her neck and he would have succeeded if she hadn't spent the past three years having to defend herself and her children. She used the handle of the shovel to knock him off his feet with ease before aiming it at his heart. What she hadn't been counting on, however, was for Enzo to suddenly jump in and snap her neck. Thus she was down for the count. For now.

Damon and Enzo stared at one another for a long moment. And then when everything was still, they jumped at each other. The fight was brutal and messy and only ended when Damon buried a hand into Enzo's chest. Damon didn't pull Enzo's heart out immediately, giving Bonnie and Caroline enough time to make it on scene.

"Oh my god!" Caroline gasped immediately.

"Damon, don't. Please fight through this. I know you can. He is your friend." Bonnie pleaded. Damon continued. "Stop!"

Everything was suddenly put on hold when Caroline collapsed to the ground with a broken neck. Bonnie whipped around to find Sybil standing in the doorway with a bright smile. One of the more annoying things about her is that she can regenerate quicker than a vampire. It made getting here first a whole lot harder. She had probably been hot on their heels this whole time.

"He can't," Sybil smirked. "The only one who can stop him is you now considering Enola is currently unconscious. I don't feel like waiting for her to wake up. Choose."

"Damon, don't make me do this." Bonnie pleaded.

"Sorry, not sorry, Bon." Damon grunted. His hand tightened around the beating heart. He couldn't stop. He didn't want to. Because at the end of the day, the only person he cared about was himself. He was a vampire after all. A monster.

"I choose Enzo!" Bonnie blurted. A loud silence settled over the gym at the sudden proclamation.

"What?" Damon blinked.

"I choose Enzo," Bonnie repeated slowly.

"Damon," Sybil grinned. "Kindly remove your hand without the gentleman's heart in it."

Damon froze in place. His eyes fell down to his hand that was involuntarily pulled out of the chest he had buried it in. He slowly stood up and turned around with eyes the size of saucers. He could not believe what he was hearing. He was so close to winning—so close to victory—only to have it all torn away with three simple words.

"Bonnie, don't do this to me." Damon begged, stumbling forward with pleading eyes.

"I know that somewhere deep down, there is some part of you that is still left. Maybe Enola can find what none of us could. Maybe Enola can find what Sybil took. She couldn't have taken it all away. You are obnoxiously too stubborn to let that happen." Bonnie whispered. "I know my friend is still in there and I am going to have to live with that. I just can't let him die. I choose Enzo."

"I'm getting all weepy," Sybil teased. "So touching. So raw."

"I know where I'm going when I die. You can't send me there. I will fight every one of you." Damon growled, prompting Enzo to take a protective step in front of Bonnie.

"So Bonnie can't live without Enzo and Stefan clearly can't live without Damon," Sybil noted. "But nobody has bothered to ask me what I want." She paused. "You are the only one who is truly committed around here, Damon. You are an asset. Enzo is nothing but a burden." She began making her way forward. "So I guess my only real problem is with you, Bonnie. You chose wrong. Maybe Enola would have chosen better. Which is why I am going to have Damon kill you."

"What?" Enzo blinked.

"Damon kills Bonnie, I kill you, and then we can all get on with our lives. Unless you give me what I want." Sybil announced. "Turn off your humanity, pledge your loyalty to me, and then we can all go home happy. Pinky swear."

Only two of those things came true. Enzo did turn off his humanity and plead his loyalty to Sybil. But no one went home happy.

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AUTHORS NOTE.
i was going to update earlier today. i was actually in the middle of reading over this chapter. then i got sidetracked and completely forgot. so it is a little late. but at least it is here. until next time, my loves!!!