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“I still don’t understand why you disappeared,” Klaus says, looking at her.

She swallows. “I was scared. When I heard about the car accident, I didn’t believe for a second that Richard was actually dead.

All I could think was, ‘he’s finally going to kill me .

’ My gut told me to lay low for a while.

I knew the kids would be safer with you than they were with me, so I stayed hidden.

It took me a while to regain my strength, but when I did, I decided that I needed to take matters into my own hands.

I couldn’t find Richard on my own, but I knew that you would look for him tirelessly.

So I stayed in the periphery, watching over your lives from a distance and waiting for this day to come. ”

“It didn’t have to be that way,” Klaus says. “If you had just talked to me about what was happening, I would have taken care of Richard.”

“I’m sorry,” Sera says, looking at her brother. “I know I ended up doing more harm than good in the end. I messed up so bad.”

He wraps his arm around her and squeezes her shoulder.

“It’s over now,” he says. “I’m just happyyou’re finally home.”

She leans on his shoulder.

We sit in silence, bathed by starlight. I don’t know how it happened—but for the first time, everything feels like it’s falling into place.

A car pulls into the driveway. Alaric has returned from dropping off my friends. He gets out of the car and looks up at the three of us.

Sera rises to her feet and runs straight to him. He catches her, holding her tight against his chest. There’s so much relief on his face as he holds her.

Klaus takes my hand and lifts it to his lips, kissing me.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“I should be asking you that,” I say. “Your missing sister finally returned home. I can’t even imagine how overwhelming all of this must be for you.”

“Somehow, I always knew,” he says. “Even when the police and private investigators told me to give up on ever finding her again, I always knew that Sera was out there somewhere. I knew that it was only a matter of time before she came back home.”

“She’s been through so much,” I say. “Clara, too.”

“It’s all over now,” Klaus says. “It’s going to be a fresh start. For all of us.”

“I like the sound of that,” I whisper.

He pulls me closer, holding me like I’m all he needs in this world.

Alaric and Sera climb back up the stairs and sit down next to Klaus.

“Looks like I missed all the drama,” Alaric says.

“I’ve had enough drama to last a lifetime,” Sera says. “I just want a clean slate.”

It makes me think about my own past.

For the longest time, I used to wish that I could forget about all the bad things that happened to me.

But if I did that, I would also erase the strength I found. I wouldalso erase the person I’ve become.

“I don’t know how I’m going to face the kids,” Sera says. “I don’t know how I can make them understand that I was doing this for them.”

“They won’t care, Sera,” Alaric says. “They’ll just be happy to have their mother back.”

“They’ll want to know why,” Sera says, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. “If not now, then later. It’ll break their hearts when they learn the truth about their father.”

“Rosalie knew,” Klaus says.

Sera looks at him. “What?”

“She knew that he was hurting you,” Klaus says. “She knew how evil her father was.”

“I never wanted them to see that side of him,” Sera says slowly. “I wanted to pack up and leave before things could get worse.”

“I wish I could kill that bastard a second time,” Alaric hisses.

Klaus nods in agreement.

Sera takes a deep, shuddering inhale.

“I can’t believe the kids knew,” she says, her voice breaking. “Idon’t know how I’m going to deal with this.”

Klaus squeezes her hand. “You were alone for a long time. You made yourself believe that you had to do everything on your own. That’s never been the case, Sera. You’ll always have us to lean on.”

Sera laughs softly.

“I never thought I’d see the day,” she says. “I can’t believe you’re the one telling me to be more positive.”

“Oh yeah, he’s become a big ball of sunshine ever since he met Emma,” Alaric says. “He even gives hugs and shows affection now.”

“Thank you,” Sera says, reaching for me and squeezing my hand. “For giving my brother back to us.”

“I didn’t do anything,” I say, looking up at Klaus. “We just found each other at the right time.”

“I’m truly so happy for you guys,” Sera says, grinning at the diamond ring on my finger. “I finally get to plan his wedding.”

“Planning parties is my sister’s love language,” Klaus tells me.

“I just like celebrating things,” she says. “And your wedding is going to be the biggest celebration of all.”

“I’m surprised he’s not throwing up at the idea of a big party,” Alaric says.

“What can I say?” Klaus says, looking at me. “The little things don’t matter anymore.”

“I’m going to invite everyone I know,” Alaric threatens. “ Everyone .”

“Do your worst,” Klaus says, lifting my hand to kiss it again.

Even though we’re not alone right now,Klaus has a way of making me feel like we’re the only two people in the world. It’s something about the way he looks at me—like he’s trying to get his fill of me. Like I’m the only one who ever had his heart.

“Oh, my God,” Alaric says, pointing up at the sky.

Streaks of white and silver cut through the inky darkness, making the world glow a little brighter. It’s a meteor shower.

We stare at the sky in awe until the display ends.

“After all these years,” Klaus says.

“That was everything I hoped it would be and more,” Alaric says.

“Dude, are you crying?” Sera asks.

“Leave me alone,” Alaric sniffles.

Sera catches my eye.

“It was their thing,” she tells me. “As kids, they used to sit up on the rooftop with enough snacks to feed a small village. And then they would wait for the skies to dazzle them.”

“You make it sound like we were amateurs,” Alaric says. “We were subscribed to NASA’s newsletter and everything.”

“Oh yeah, you were real professionals,” Sera says. “You used to fall asleep after eating too many Twinkies.”

“I think it’s still not too late for me to study astronomy,” Alaric muses out loud.

“Go for it,” Sera says. “Maybe you’ll be the one to find extraterrestrial life.”

“You’re the only one who ever believed in me, Sera,” Alaric says. “I missed you so much.”

I lean on Klaus’s shoulder.

Being with Klaus’s sister and best friend feels so natural. I didn’t know any of these people a few months ago, but they feel like family now.

Klaus slides his hand down to my hip, holding me possessively.

I look up at him. He tucks a stray curl behind my ear and leans down to kiss me.

When I close my eyes, I see meteor showers at the back of my eyes. I see pure magic and blinding lights. I see all the way down to this man’s soul and how it glows so brightly.

I see love.