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"Just say the word, we'll take on the world."

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IF THERE'S ONE thing I've learned about time, is that it works in strange ways. It's been a week since the wedding, six days since Damon and Elena's wedding, and five days since Alaric and Jo's. Yet surprisingly, it feels like just yesterday I was standing before James, smiling the widest smile as he slid the wedding band onto my finger.

Despite the fact that Kai interrupted the evening, and the betrayal of a close friend took place, the night was still one to remember. I was still a little shaken up, but as the night progressed and everyone had fun, I began to let myself loosen up as well.

Klaus dumped Christina's body outside so we could enjoy the evening, but in the morning she was gone, meaning her neck had healed and she was now roaming the streets aimlessly. I wasn't concerned, as I was prepared this time if she ever came back. I feel stronger now, more resilient. I finally feel as if Mystic Falls is a safe place, and I saviour up the peace while it's here.

For now everyone is staying in the boarding house, however we all have plans to go else where. My bags are all packed upstairs as are James's and Theo's as we prepare to embark on a trip to Europe. We didn't really want a honeymoon, as we decided to just take a little family vacation, and explore all the places I had never been to before. James was persistent on showing me all the most wonderful places in the world seeing as he has been to each and every one of them. It just so happens we have the rest of our lives, to the end of our lives to adventure together.

I sit at the kitchen table, fiddling with my wedding rings while everyone is packing and cleaning up the house. Suddenly there's a knock at the door, so I move to open it. I've learned to be very cautious when opening doors thanks to my past experiences. However, the two faces that greet me behind the wooden door are ones that I know don't pose a threat to me, not any more at least; we've become good friends.

"Klaus? Elijah? What are you guys doing here? I thought you left for New Orleans," I gape, opening the front door all the way so they can pass through.

"We're leaving today actually, but we wanted to say a proper goodbye first," Elijah explains.

"How's it feel to be a married woman?" Klaus asks curiously, his hands behind his back with a smile on his face.

"I feel like the luckiest woman alive," I reply honestly, just as more footsteps sound down the stairs. Damon, Stefan, Joel, Logan and James join me at the front door, seeing who knocked.

"We just came to say goodbye before we depart back to New Orleans where trouble no doubt awaits us," Klaus speaks, nodding to everyone.

"Speaking of trouble, I just wanted to thank you Klaus," I say. "For everything you did the other night. We had a plan, but it didn't quite work out and if you weren't there and didn't do what you did, I don't know what would've happened. So thank you.'

James smiles and takes my hand. "Yes, thank you," he adds, as my brothers and Joel and Logan send their thanks to Klaus as well.

"Thank you to the both of you for all you've done all these years," James says, reaching forwards and shaking Klaus's hand. However, Klaus doesn't seem satisfied with just a handshake, so he leans forwards and embraces James in a friendly man hug. James doesn't seem tense at all, in fact he embraces Klaus with a smile. It makes me feel warm inside, knowing that their friendship has evolved in such ways. It's been broken, torn apart and twisted over the years, but now it's starting to mend again. Honestly it makes me happy.

"It was a pleasure, as always." Klaus smiles, the two of them standing apart.

"Thank you Elijah, for everything." James smiles, hugging his long time friend as well.

"Now come on, I don't get a hug from the bravest Salvatore?" Klaus snickers, standing with his arms held open.

"It's bravest Branson now, thank you very much." I laugh, stepping forwards to hug him. I still haven't gotten use to my new last name: Blair Branson.

"I beg to differ actually," Joel mutters as if he's offended, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Don't go getting into too much trouble there little Branson," Elijah warns him, hugging Joel as well.

"Yeah, yeah. Tell me something I don't know." Joel waves it off, only shaking hands with Klaus.

We all stand there, Klaus and Elijah drifting their gaze over to my brothers as if they're expecting some sort of friendly goodbye.

"Yeah, I'm not really going to hug you. Don't take it personally," Damon shakes his head, only holding out his hand for them to shake. Stefan does the same which makes me laugh.

"Alright then." Klaus chuckles. "Best of luck on your future endeavours." He says, opening the front door.

Suddenly Theo comes running down the hall, bumping into my leg as he peaks around them to see who's there. "Goodbye little one." Klaus smiles.

"Bye bye!" Theo waves, hiding his face behind my legs.

"Don't be a stranger. Stop by once and a while." I smile, leaning against James as we watch them walk out the door.

Klaus smirks as Elijah grabs the door handle, closing it on his way out. "Stay safe," he says with a smile before closing the door.

"Why did that feel like a goodbye?" I ask quietly, staring at the closed door in a daze.

"Because in this world love, you never know what awaits you around the corner," James sighs, kissing me on the cheek.

I don't say anything, only purse my lips as I stay standing at the front door. Everyone else returns to their packing, doing their own thing. I turn around to do the same, but stop when I hear a light knock on the door again.

"Who's there?" Damon calls from the kitchen.

"I'll get it," I sigh, running a hand through my hair as I open it.

As soon as the person is revealed, I so badly wish I could rewind the time so I could prevent myself from having to see her face, the face of a traitor. That's the thing with time however; it never works the way you want it to. 

"You have a lot of balls coming here you know," I state firmly, my jaw clenched so hard my teeth start to hurt.

"I know," Christina whispers, her head down as she tries to hide her expression.

She wears the same dress she wore at the wedding, her make-up smeared and her skin all bloody and dirty. I find myself wondering where she's been the past few days. "Get the hell out!" Logan shouts as soon as he hears her voice. He storms to the front door in a fit of rage, but Christina doesn't move.

Everyone else comes walking to the door, curious to see who it is. I turn around and give them a look, telling them I've got this under control. "What are you doing here?" I ask, holding a hand out in front of Logan to keep him from killing Christina. He must be feeling a much more greater pain, seeing as he and Christina were friends long before I met them. I can only imagine how betrayed he feels.

"I just want to talk. Could we talk in private please? Just the three of us?" she pleads, glancing at Logan and I.

I purse my lips before hesitantly glancing back at everyone, telling them to leave. "Oh you've got to be joking!" Joel pouts like a little child.

"Blair, are you sure?" Damon asks in a low, serious tone.

"Yes," I assure them, however Damon doesn't move.

James sends me a nod and places a hand on Damon's back, forcing him to leave. I know James trusts me that whatever Christina plans to say or do, I can handle it.

"You have five minutes," I say bluntly, as Christina steps in and closes the door.

"Okay," she sighs, running a hand down her face. "I don't eve know how to begin-"

"How could you?" Logan interrupts her, hurt expressed so clearly on his face. Just his expression alone makes my heart shatter.

"Logan I-I." She shakes her head, lost for words. There's a small part of me that feels for her, understands how lost she is. I know she doesn't even recognize herself, but I know there isn't anything I can do, anything I could've done; she did this to herself. "I'm sorry," she says, "I know that word doesn't mean anything to you guys, but it's all I can say. Nothing will ever justify what I did, nor can I explain why I did it. I thought I was in love, and he fuelled my ears with words that made it seem like he could give me everything."

"I followed his plan, knew it was Kai all along and didn't tell you guys. I hate myself for it, and ever since he died I found myself free of the evil spell he inflicted on me," she says in a shaky voice.

"Was it a spell?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at her. I know what Kai was capable of, and I know he could've very much put a spell on her that made her do such things.

"No." She shakes her head. "He never did anything to me. Everything that I did, I did on my own." She begins to break down. I respect the fact that she's being honest, but that will never make up for what she did.

"After everything that I've done for you, after the friendship we had? Did I mean nothing to you? Was nothing that Blair did for you good enough? Jesus Christina, she helped you transition into a vampire because she felt guilty that you had become one! It wasn't her fault that you turned okay!" Logan argues, tears in his eyes.

"I know," Christina whispers. "I know that now, and I'm sincerely sorry that I didn't understand that sooner." She says, pursing her lips. "Blair?" she asks, noticing how I'm not saying anything.

"I have nothing to say, Tina," I say quietly, glancing down at my hands.

"Okay." She nods in understanding, wiping the tears from her eyes. "Okay," she repeats, taking in a deep breath. "Thank you guys for everything, and I'm so, so sorry." 

"Goodbye Christina," I say, opening the door for her to leave.

She pauses before moving, as if she's thinking about something, conflicting with herself. She only nods slightly before slowly walking out the door.

Logan and I watch with the door open as she leaves, as she slowly makes her way down the front steps and onto the road. We watch with confused eyes as she suddenly stops, and turns our way, just staring at us.

"What is she doing?" I whisper, not looking at Logan as we both watch her.

"It doesn't matter," he dismisses, clearly still infuriated. "There's nothing more we can do. She has no place in our lives any more. We just have to let her go," he says quietly, a grim look glued to his face.

Logan goes to walk away, but as Christina suddenly ignites into a ball of flames I let out a scream of pure shock, forcing him to pause in step. He anxiously looks to me, wondering what's wrong, but he's put as ease once he realizes what I'm looking at.

Christina stands by the edge of the road, in the bright sun with her daylight ring on the ground, allowing her body to be ignited by the rays until they're consumed by the flames.

"No!" I shout, going to speed towards her, but Logan holds out an arm to stop me. Despite what Christina did, how she betrayed us, I still refuse to let her go down like this. She may have hurt us, and we will never forgive there, but she still has a life in which she can use to make up for it, to find other people, to make new friends. I don't want to see her life go to waste, nor do I want to see somebody die. I can't just stand by and watch as someone burns to death.

"Blair, leave it." Logan shouts, holding out an arm to hold me back. "This is what she wants," he whispers. "She made her choice." 

"It's the wrong one! We have to stop her Logan! She's our friend," I yell at him, pleading with his eyes.

He only shakes his head, holding both my arms. "She was our friend," He says, "but now we have to let her go." He gulps, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Let her go Blair."

Even though I'm stronger than Logan and I know I can break free from his grasp, I don't fight. Instead I stand there and listen as she screams, watching as her body ignites in flames. I realize that Logan is right; Christina was never truly happy with being a vampire, and this is in some way a release for her to be someplace she never got to be. She was a lost cause.

I feel as if I've given up on her, but she gave up on us a long time ago, the moment she decided to follow Kai despite knowing everything he did to us.

"I'm sorry Christina," I whisper, tears in my eyes, as Logan shuts the door.

∆ ∆ ∆

The day seems as if it's dragging on, but suddenly it's evening and I find myself wondering where all the lost time went. I stand at the kitchen window, watching the beautiful pink sunset as James and Theo load all our luggage into the car. Theo insisted that he help his dad rather than me, so I smiled and let him have his way.

"Hey," Damon clears his throat, appearing from behind me.

"Hey." I smile, leaning against the counter as he leans against the door. Both of us wear rings on our fourth fingers, both of us smiling and filled with hope. We've come such a long way, and I'm thankful that I never gave up on finding my brothers. I don't know what would've happened if I did.

"You guys leaving soon?" he asks.

"In a few minutes. The plane leaves in a couple hours," I say. "What's wrong?" Noticing how quiet he is. I know him well enough to know when something is off.

"Elena and I," he pauses, and I know where this is going. "We're going to take the cure in a few minutes."

"Oh," I whisper, taking it in. I knew they planned on taking it, but now that he's saying it, it seems so unreal. Part of me doesn't want my big brother to take the cure, because that means he won't be in my life forever like I always pictured we'd be. I pictured us a hundred years from now, standing in this same spot with our same ageless self, but now if Damon takes the cure, I know that is most likely never going to happen. He'll be wrinkly and old and I'll still be stuck at 17. I know it's selfish, but it's just how I feel. I don't want to lose him. "You know it's irreversible right?" I raise a brow, jokingly.

"I am well aware of that Blair, yes," he lets out a light laugh, standing up and walking over to me.

"You know this isn't a goodbye right?" Damon says gently.

"No, but in 60 plus years it will be, and I don't know if I'm ready for that," I admit, my bottom lip shaking. Never did I picture having to watch my brother wither away, but I guess that's life.

"The thing is Blair, I'm not going anywhere for now. I'll still be here tomorrow, a week from now, ten years from now, hell even fifty years from now. The only difference is you can't stab me with wooden stakes any more, or throw me into walls," he laughs, and I laugh though the tears that have formed in my eyes, dripping down my face.

"Darn. I really enjoyed doing that." I laugh, wiping the tears from my eyes, but they just keep coming.

"I love you Blair, you know that right?" he says quietly.

"Yes." I take in a shaky breath. "I love you too big brother."

"Come here," he whispers, holding his arms out so I can walk right into them. He wraps me in a big hug, the two of us sharing one last strong embrace before he turns into a little fragile human.

We break apart as Stefan appears in the doorway, smiling at the two of us before joining in. He wraps Damon and I in a gigantic bear hug, squeezing us tight just like we use to do when we were kids. I savour up this moment and take a mental picture of it, knowing this is the kind of memory I will look back on a century from now.

"Are we ready to show her?" Stefan whispers to Damon, all of us breaking apart.

"Show me what?" I blurt out, not caring that they're keeping this secretive. If they wanted to keep it a secret they wouldn't be talking about it with me right in front of them.

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot." Damon smacks himself in the head.

"It's out front." Stefan smiles.

"Will you guys cut the bullshit and tell me what's up?" I growl with irritation, rolling my eyes at them.

"Follow us, but you have to close your eyes," Damon instructs.

"What?" I scrunch my nose up in confusion.

"Don't worry, I'll cover her eyes," James suddenly says, appearing behind me and placing his hands over my eyes so all I can see is black.

"Where are we going?" I ask with a smile, slowly walking somewhere.

"You'll see," James whispers in my ear.

I bite my lip in anticipation as James, Stefan and Damon lead me somewhere out of the house. I feel  the cool breeze of the summer air on my skin. Suddenly everyone stops, and I hear footsteps all around me, but James keeps his hands covering my eyes.

"Alright. You can open your eyes now love," James says, taking his hands away from my eyes.

I slowly open my eyes, my heart racing out of fear of the unknown. That's why I hate surprises so much, but as I lay eyes on the beautiful surprise in front of me, I realize they aren't all that bad. "Oh my god." I gape. "No you didn't," I whisper, covering my shocked expression with my hand, covering my gaping mouth.

"Call it your wedding gift from your bros." Damon smirks, slinging his arm around Stefan's shoulders as they lean against my brand new car.

It's not just any car however, but the most beautiful, sleek and elegant piece of machinery I have every seen. It's not an older car, but instead a high tech new model. I recognize the several circular rings as an Audi, but I can't make out the model of car.

"What kind is it?" I ask, running my fingers along the smooth white paint

"Audi R8," Damon says, almost as if he's jealous. I didn't think Damon would be jealous about any car seeing as he adores his blue Camaro.

"Holy sh-" I run a hand through my hair, overwhelmed. "You guys didn't have to do this, honestly." I shake my head.

"Actually, we kind of did," Stefan says with a since. "We're kind of the reason both your two pervious cars got demolished. We owed you a new one." He chuckles.

"We just weren't sure if you'd like a modern one or old." Damon crosses his arms.

"I would've loved it any way. Thank you guys so much. It's beautiful." I smile with teary eyes, walking over to hug them.

"Beats Klaus's Range Rover, that's for sure," Damon teases, causing James to laugh as us Salvatores hug again. Even though my last name has changed, I will always be a Salvatore.

We break apart, Damon's hands still on my shoulder as Elena pulls up in her own car. "Hey," she smiles, stepping out of her car. "You ready?" She looks to Damon, referring to how they're off to take the cure.

"Of course." Damon nods, reaching out and taking her hand.

Stefan and I send our older brother a last wave of him being a vampire before they take off down the road, choosing to take the cure in the place where they first met. Stefan disappears into the house again, leaving just James and I standing outside.

"So?" James says, appearing from behind me as we watch Damon and Elena leave. "Do you think we can do it?"

"Do what?" I laugh lightly, leaning my head back against his shoulder.

"Do life? Conquer it, make the best out of it, all the inspiring mumbo jumbo," he teases, brushing his lips against my cheek.

I stand there and think about it, allowing all the overwhelming thoughts roam around my mind. Usually my thoughts are on a endless train track, bound to go no where, travelling so fast I cannot make sense of them. However, Theo comes running into our side, smiling up at us and for once in my life I'm able to latch onto my thoughts, make sense of them. For once in my life I feel confident in my future, in our future.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL!" a voice booms from inside the house, interrupting my thoughts. I hear their footsteps pounding down the front hall all the way outside, and I already know who it is.

"Is this real?" Joel gasps, bending down on both knees as he admires my new car. "Am I dreaming?" he whispers, leading his head against the hood of the sports car.

"Why don't you take it for a drive and find out," I suggest, throwing him the keys.

He's too in shock to take them, so they end up smacking him in the face. He doesn't mind though, as it's the keys of an Audi R8 that cause him pain. He picks them up with pure joy, his face lit up as if I'm his mother and I've just allowed him to bike to the store and get candy.

"Are you kidding?" Joel looks at me wide-eyed, glancing back and forth between the keys and me.

"No, but you better go before I change my mind," I warn him.

"Yes ma'am," he says, not arguing any further. He skips over to the drivers side door, starting the car up. James and I watch as his face goes frozen, his hands over his mouth as if he's about to cry as the engine roars to life. We laugh together as Joel speeds out of the driveway and down the road, the engine booming all the way for a good few minutes before Joel disappears.

"I guess we'll see where life will take us." I only smile, sliding my hand so effortlessly into James's, like our hands are two puzzle pieces brought together through time and patience.

I guess that's all you need in life; patience and time. You never quite know what waits around the corner for you, or the path your choices will lead you to.

It's sure to be a hell of a bumpy ride, but I'm buckled in, hands and feet inside the cart and a smile on my face.

Ready?

Set?

Let's Go.

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[completed & edited: 09/01/2022]