*So, Elena and Damon are dead... In case you didn't notice, those two are actually big parts of The Vampire Diaries series. So, the rest of the book will have some events that were in the show but mainly my own. It will also follow my timeline! The Originals will be a separate book! Also, the Originals will not take place at the same time. It'll take place a few years later. It'll still mainly be the same events but later on not toward the end of The Vampire Diaries season 4 and so on. Does this make sense? Let me know if it doesn't... Love you all!!*

The town mourned the loss of Elena Gilbert and Damon Salvatore. They continued to mourn for Carol Lockwood. Not only were they mourning but they were scared. Three people dead within weeks of each other. They feared that the deaths would begin again, just like in 2009.

Rudy struggled to find the murderer. He knew Claire was involved, he knew the Mikaelson's were involved but he couldn't prove it. Even if he could, he had no idea how he would prevent more death's from happening.

He was already doing everything in his power to protect the town. He had vervain in the water supply and was trying to find hunters to protect the town but it was hard to find people who would go against the Originals. Nobody knew if there was any White Oak left to kill them and the dagger's to subdue them were deep within the mansion where only a select few could find them.

Rudy also knew that Elizabeth Forbes was involved somehow. It was obvious, her daughter was the center of everything happening and being her mother, Liz had to know something. However, despite trying to get information out of her, Liz claimed ignorance.

Liz knew why Damon's dead. She knew that he went after Claire and the Mikaelson's killed him. It was a wake-up call for her. She realized just how protective the Mikaelson's are. While it comforted her that her daughter is safe with them, it also made her nervous. If Rudy went after Claire for her crimes, if anybody went after Claire, she knew the Mikaelson's would bathe the town in blood and they would be powerless to stop them.

So, Liz got rid of any evidence that might point to Claire or the Mikaelson's. She steered Rudy and everyone away from them, or tried too at least.

It took about a month for things to go back to normal. Rudy wasn't interim mayor anymore, he'd been given the job. Reluctantly, Rudy made peace with the Mikaelson's like Carol had tried to do. It was a fragile peace but peace nonetheless. Though none of them were sure if he had completely given up trying to get rid of them or not, although it's been quiet for months.

Stefan had ran off, nothing was keeping him here anymore. He couldn't stay, not after everything that's happened. Not only did he lose Elena, who he cared very deeply for, but his brother, who he loved with all his heart. Klaus thinks he might have turned his humanity off. There were rumors in the supernatural community that suggested that a ripper was tearing through the country.

Even after everything that's happened, Klaus still cares for Stefan. He still holds onto the friendship they had in the twenties. Even though he refused to go search for him himself, not wanting to leave Claire for an extended amount of time, he has his resources looking for him.

While everyone was settling back into their old ways and Mystic Falls was returning to normal, Claire couldn't. She couldn't go back to her old was and she couldn't return to normal. Too much had happened, to go back to normal would mean forgetting everything that's happened. She didn't want to forget. Despite how much pain remembering brings her, she couldn't forget.

If she forgot, everything would have been in vain. Megan would have died for nothing, Kol would have died for nothing. Destroying her relationship with her mother would have been for nothing. Everything would have been in vain and she wouldn't allow those sacrifices be for nothing.

Though remembering everything often lead to nightmares, specifically about Kol. Almost every night she fell asleep, she remembered that night. The night Elena killed him. She dreamed about not saving him. She dreamed about the ancestors torturing him, which, thankfully, wasn't happening.

To add on top of the nightmares, the baby growing in her stomach seemed to take after Kol in restlessness and high energy. The babe never seemed to sleep, always moving, always kicking. She could feel his strength, the strength of being part vampire. She would be lying it she said it wasn't painful.

At 25 weeks, Claire's told that her baby boy is the size of cauliflower. All Claire could think is how thankful she is not to have twins again, she couldn't imagine having two half bred vampires growing in her stomach.

Her mates knew how painful the babe was making things for her. It made them nervous but she's strong. Her body was holding, it was even getting stronger to accommodate the half breed.

"You're going to give me a lot of trouble, aren't you?" Claire smiles rubbing her stomach as she walked into the kitchen at three in the morning. She was craving various pickle themed snacks. First it was simply pickles, then pickle and peanut butter, now it's pickle and chocolate.

Claire gasped softly as the baby boy in her stomach kicked and squirmed triggering a cramp in her side. She groaned quickly and rubs the cramp.

"I'm going to take that as a yes" She mutters.

"Late night snack, Princess?" Claire turns and gives Finn a sheepish smile. It had been Finn's night with Claire.

"Just a little one" Claire replied softly. Finn smiles and walking up to her. He kisses her forehead before gripping her waist and lifting her onto the counter. She grins and watches him open the fridge while rubbing his eyes tiredly. "You didn't have to get up, I would have returned soon."

"You're my mate. My very pregnant mate." He said closing the fridge. He walks over to her and sets the container of chocolate covered pickles on the counter beside her. "And I love taking care of you." He said feeding her a pickle. She grins and eats it hungrily.

"I love you" She whispers. 

"I'm not even going to ask if your talking to me or the pickles." He teases. She gives him playful smile.

"I guess I love you too Finn" He smirks and stands in between her legs. "But I think I love the pickles just a little bit more" She whispers.

"Just as I feared" He mutters. She giggles and kisses his lips. "I've been replaced by chocolate covered produce" She kisses his nose before eating another pickle. "Want anything to drink, my love?"

"No, I'm good" She smiles at him. She eats a few more pickles before he puts them away and carries her back to bed. She snuggles into his chest hoping for a few more hours of sleep before she would have to wake up and go to school.

Once Finn woke up, he felt extremely tempted to simply let Claire sleep. It's rare for her to sleep more than a few hours and for once, she actually seemed peaceful. Though he had forgotten about the alarm she had sent until it was too late.

She whines and nuzzles her head deeper into his chest. He reaches for her phone and turns the alarm off. He then kisses the top of her head and holds her close. 

Instead of falling back asleep, Claire felt the urge to use the restroom thanks to the baby dancing on her bladder. She reluctantly climbs out of his arms and heads to the bathroom. It took her about a half and hour to get ready. 

"Claire, I'm here!" Caroline said coming into the mansion. She could hear her sister in the kitchen and walked towards her. "Ready?" 

"Just about" Claire said finishing up her food.

"I'll pick you up later" Klaus said kissing the top of her head as he walks past her. "Love you" He said before leaving to talk to some people about Stefan.

"Come on, I have to be there early to make sure everything is going according to plan for prom" Caroline rushed. Claire smiles and stands up.

"I'm coming, I'm coming" Caroline grinned and spun on her heals, walking out the door. "Gotta go, love you!" Claire shouted to Elijah, who's somewhere in the house, Finn, who's cleaning the kitchen, Klaus, who's in his study and Henrik, who's in the shower.

"Claire!" Caroline shouted. Claire rolls her eyes and quickly scurries out the door. She climbs into the passenger seat and Caroline drives them to the school.

"How is the Prom coming along?" Claire asked shifting in her seat feeling slightly uncomfortable. She had forgotten how uncomfortable being pregnant could get and she was just now starting the uncomfortable phase.

"It's going to be a lot of fun, Rebekah's had a lot of good ideas." Caroline replied grinning. She had to admit, her and Rebekah worked well together. Caroline had no doubt that this was going to be the best party yet.

"You two are unstoppable." Claire shakes her head grinning. She knew her sister and she knew Rebekah, to put the two of them together was both smart and dangerous.

"It's not Rebekah and I that are the unstoppable duo" Caroline winks at her sister. Caroline would choose Claire over Rebekah any day and she wanted to make sure Claire knew that. Claire nudges her sister and Caroline playfully swerves getting Claire to squeal. They both begin to laugh. Caroline felt proud to get her to smile, to truly smile and laugh. It didn't last but it was something.

"Rebekah and I worked so hard on this dance, are you sure that you don't want to go?" Caroline asked. Claire sighs looking out the window. "Even just for a little bit." Caroline pleads.

"I don't know Caroline." Claire sighs. "I'm almost six months pregnant and I just... I don't feel like going to a dance." Claire's head turns to her sister. She feels slightly guilty seeing the disappointed look on her face.

"Fine" Caroline sighs knowing that 'I don't feel like going' translated to 'Kol's still on the Other Side and I need to focus all my time on getting him out'. 

Caroline understood. She had seen Claire's determination to bring Henrik back and this is no different. She would do anything to bring Kol back. While Caroline is supportive of bringing Kol back, she also knew she needed to relax. She needed to have a night out, do something fun.

"At least come with us to pick out dresses. Penelope's coming, we're sneaking her into the prom." Claire looks at her. Penelope's only a freshmen but being the head of the dance committee, Caroline can pull anything off. "And Archie" Caroline adds knowing they were sneaking the junior in as well. Where Asher is, Archie is never far away. "But Archie isn't coming dress shopping with us."

"Fine, I'll go dress shopping with you guys but I'm not going to the dance... Besides, I doubt we could even find a dress to fit." Claire said trying to get Caroline to just accept that she didn't want to go to the dance, that it wasn't a good idea.

"Never doubt me" Caroline warns giving her sister a wink pulling into the drive way. Claire smiles softly before climbing out of the car. "Oh look, there's Bonnie and Jamie." She points out. Claire looks over and sees them.

After things calmed down, Bonnie returned to her home with Rudy. She didn't move back just to be with her father but to be a peacekeeper of sorts, between him and the Mikaelson's. Claire didn't like the idea of using Bonnie to keep Rudy in check, to have a 'spy' on him but Bonnie volunteered. She sees it at keeping her father from doing something stupid and going after the Mikaelson's. She also keeps her ear out to keep up on her father's plans, make sure if there is any against her friends, she'd know about it.

"Claire, it's good to see you" Bonnie smiles.

Despite the town being normal, Claire's been busy but so has Bonnie. Claire's grades were less than bad so she's been working her ass off to get them better and when she wasn't studying, she was trying to get Kol back, not a lot of time to hang out with friends. 

"How are you?" Bonnie asked. Claire went to respond but Bonnie turns to Caroline. "How is she? Is she good?" She asked knowing Claire wouldn't tell the truth. Caroline grins slightly and goes to respond but Claire does it for her.

"Bonnie, I'm right here" Claire grins regaining Bonnie's attention. "And I'm... Working on it. Thank you."

"So, are you going dress shopping with us?" Bonnie asked with a curious smile. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

"Yep but I'm still not planning on going to the prom" Claire told her. Bonnie and Caroline share a look.

"Ok" Bonnie grins at Claire holding onto Jamie. "See you two after school." Bonnie pulls Jamie towards their first class.

"Why am I getting the feeling you guys know something I don't?" Claire asked tilting her head to Caroline. Her sister simply winks at Claire before walking to class. Claire narrows her eyes at Caroline but follows her nonetheless.

After school Penelope, Caroline, Claire, Rebekah and Bonnie all squeeze into Caroline's car and drive to the dress shop. When they arrived they noticed it was empty except for the people who worked there. They all glance at Rebekah.

"What?" Rebekah asked. Claire raises her eyebrows. "So I reserved the whole store for us today" Rebekah shrugs. "I don't want any of those skanks from school trying to take our dresses" Rebekah shrugs getting out of the car. The others follow suit.

"These dresses are beautiful" Penelope mutters walking down the isle of dresses. "Oh, wow" She mutters seeing the prices.

"Don't worry about it, love" Rebekah said wrapping her arm around Penelope. "I've got you" Penelope beams at Rebekah and goes to find the best dress. "So cute" Rebekah grins absolutely loving Asher's little sister.

Claire walks around and looks at the dresses as well. Each of her mates had different tastes. They all seemed to enjoy rest on her but the style varied. However, all she could think about was what Kol would want.

Caroline walked up to her sister and wrapped an arm around her. It was like Caroline knew what was on her mind, not like it was hard to predict. Claire looks up to her and they smile. Caroline gives her a gentle squeeze before walking away to find her own dress.

Claire continues down the line of dresses. She imagines herself in each of them. She imagines herself in her once perfect body wearing the perfect dress and a beautiful, bright smile. It seemed too far-fetched for her to think about it long.

Finding a couch, Claire takes a seat in the middle and watches the others try on various dresses. The one who seemed the most excited is Penelope. It's the first big dance she's going to without supervision. The first dance she's going to with people she looks up too and idolizes. The excitement she feels is almost too much to contain. The wide ear-to-ear smile on her face is enough to lift Claire's spirits.

"Um, you look super hot" Bonnie complements Caroline. Claire grins at the two of them. 

Bonnie has on a tight blue dress that fanned out slightly just above the knees. It's blue with ruffles at the bottom. Caroline had on a red all gown with a sweetheart neckline. They both looked absolutely gorgeous.

"You think?" Caroline asked twirling slowly in front of the mirror not completely sold on it.

"Oh yeah, Matt's gonna have the sexiest date there" Bonnie teases and winks.

"Matt?" Claire asked frowning her eyebrows. Caroline looks at her and quickly realizes that she never told Claire she was going to prom with Matt.

"Yeah, we're just going as friends though. Seeing as everyone else as a date, we though we'd go together." Caroline gives her a small smile. 

Claire forces a smile and looks down at her lap. She felt upset that she didn't make time to talk to Caroline about this stuff. She's been so focused on herself, she didn't really pay attention to her sister. She knows how important these dances are to her, how excited she always is. Now she has a date and Caroline never told her because Claire hardly gives her the time of day anymore.

"I'm sorry" Claire whispers. Caroline frowns slightly. "I haven't been a good friend... I haven't been a good sister" Tears fill her eyes. "I'm trying, I promise, I'm trying."

"Claire" Caroline sighs sitting beside her. Claire sniffles and does everything she can to hold herself together but once Caroline has her in her arms, Claire begins to sob.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Caroline holds her tighter as Bonnie sits on the other side and rubs her back.

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Claire" Caroline reassures her. "You're going through a lot right now. Sometimes you just have to take a while to focus on you and that's perfectly ok."

"You have been a good friend. You let me live with you for weeks. You're helping me control my magic. You've protected me when my father got angry and started to say those hateful things towards witches. You're a good friend, Claire" Bonnie comforts her.

"We love you, we're just worried you're getting too sucked into all the stressful things in life and are forgetting that you have to have fun sometimes." Caroline told her gently.

"I want to have fun but..."

"I know" Caroline whispers resting her head on Claire's. "I know" Caroline looks over to where Rebekah and Penelope were. 

They were wearing their own dress and looking at themselves in the mirror. However, they kept glancing at Claire. Caroline gives Rebekah a look and a nod. Rebekah nods back before walking towards the back of the store.

"Earlier today you wrongfully doubted my ability to find you a dress for prom." Caroline said grinning. Claire slowly looks up. "In fact, I've been searching for the perfect dress for quite some time. Something that's flattering and beautiful."

"You're sister has a talented eye" Rebekah said. Claire looks at her. Rebekah holds up a beautiful blue dress.

"I know you've been wearing red a lot but how about a little change?" Caroline said standing up. She held her hand out and Claire took it. Caroline helped her up and then led her over to the dress.

"Why don't you go try it on, love?" Rebekah suggests softly. Claire wipes her tears and takes the dress. Slowly, she nods and goes to a private dressing room.

"Wow" Claire whispers looking in the mirror. For the first time in a while she felt... beautiful.