Chapter Text
November 18th 2025
Jojo.
God, I don’t even know where to begin. I’m leaving. My mum found a new job in Belgium and she asked me to go with her. At first, I was hesitant because of a certain brunette but now I have to go and by the time you read this you will know why. I know you, Jo. You’re too stubborn to read this the first time I give you this letter so that is why I need to get this all out in case I’m not able to say it in person. Part of me is glad because I couldn’t bare to actually have this conversation in person. There’s so much I want to say. I am so sorry. I’m sorry for the pain I have caused you in the last few months but one day you will understand why I did it. Why I was so cruel. I promise you there is a good reason for it all because hurting you was the last thing I ever wanted to do. But really, I just wanted to thank you for these last four years. Ever since I walked into those doors for the first time and made a complete fool out of myself… You were there. You were always there to save me. I know we were only kids and we had no idea what love even meant but part of me always knew. I knew that was the day my life changed forever. Meeting you changed my life and no matter what heartbreak we experienced after that, it was worth it. So, as I know you, you won’t read this until it’s too late I just want you to know this. Please don’t beat yourself up over this. All I have ever wanted is for you to be happy and I believe one day you will be. I won’t be there to see it but knowing it’s going to happen one day gives me so much joy. I never stopped loving you, Jo and I’m sorry things didn’t work out better for us. Maybe in the future if it’s meant to be, we will see each other again. Until then.
Also look out for MG for me yeah? Don’t let him get into too much trouble haha.
Goodbye my love.
Penelope.
Josie couldn’t count the amount of times she has read over the letter Penelope gave her over a year ago. Still to this day, it makes her cry. She knows she should be over her. I mean it’s been over a year but how does one get over their first love? Everyone says it takes time but she’s had all the time in the world and it hurts just the same.
Ella was great. She was amazing actually. She had been dating her for 3 months and she’s exactly who she should be with. She makes her happy and has been so good for her but Josie has accepted that she will never feel about someone the way she felt about Penelope. Feels. She knows she shouldn’t be in a committed relationship with someone while still having all these complicated feelings for her ex but if this is the first step to moving on, she knew she had to do it. Plus, she really liked Ella.
“Jo?” Lizzie knocked on the door.
Before Josie could respond Lizzie already entered. Luckily Josie wiped her tears already because explaining to Lizzie she was crying over Penelope is the last thing she wanted.
“Since when do you knock? Josie laughed.
Lizzie gave Josie a big smirk. Things have been better between the twins since they found the cure for the merge a couple of weeks ago. They finally were able to breathe again without thinking about their doomed future and it was really nice. They actually felt like normal teenagers. Josie knew that she should have called Penelope as soon as they found out they had a cure for the merge since that was the whole reason, she left in the first place but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. It’s been over a year and even though she hadn’t moved on… Penelope probably did.
“So Mum is coming back today and her and Dad have something important to tell us.” Lizzie said with a serious tone.
“How serious?” Josie asked.
“I don’t know. I wonder what it could be?” Lizzie thought to herself.
Josie was wondering what it could be as well but mainly she’s just happy her mum is coming home. It’s been years since she was with her every day and knowing that’s going to happen again soon made her so happy.
xxx
Penelope was sitting in her seat on the plane that was directed for Mystic Falls. She brought out her phone and started scrolling through some old photos. Firstly, she saw a photo of her with MG and Hope. A smile immediately went across her face. She liked to pretend she didn’t have friends back at this school but they were the closest thing that came to it and she missed them. The next photo she saw was one from a few years ago. She was in the middle while Josie and Lizzie were on her side. It was when things were simpler. When they were all friends and there was no drama. The next photo felt like something pierced her gut because looking at it slightly broke her heart. It was a photo of her and Josie. When they were together. When they were happy. Josie was giving Penelope a piggy back and they were laughing. This was evident in the photo as they had the biggest smiles ever. Penelope wanted to keep this moment in a time capsule and never let go because even if it was years ago, she still remembered everything about her relationship with Josie. A tear went down her face but she was slightly interrupted.
“Want a cookie? I have a few-” Caroline asked but then noticed the photo Penelope was looking at.
“Wow I don’t think I’ve ever seen my girl so happy.” Caroline gave a soft smile.
“Me either.” Penelope wiped her tears away.
Technically Penelope didn’t lie. It’s true her mother got a job in Belgium but she never went there. She planned on going there but then she got a phone call from Caroline and they have been working on a cure ever since. They finally found one a couple of weeks ago and it actually worked. Penelope couldn’t be happier about it but she also couldn’t bring herself to contact Josie. What gave her the right? Yes, everything she did was for Josie but she knew how much she hurt her so at this point she was just happy Josie could finally live her life the way she wanted to.
“You know I never thanked you for helping me find a cure.” Caroline smiled at Penelope.
“Oh, that’s okay.” Penelope said still feeling upset over Josie.
“No really. I worked on it for years and if it wasn’t for you, I don’t think we would have figured it out this quickly.” Caroline rested her hand on Penelope’s shoulder as a result of comfort.
“I was happy to help.” Penelope smiled.
“She’s very lucky to have someone that cares about her the way you do.” Caroline looked at Penelope.
“Who? Penelope asked even though she knew very well who she was talking about.
“Josie. I couldn’t have asked for a better person for my daughter.” Caroline said with such happiness on her face.
“Oh. We’re not. It’s over-” Penelope started to say until she was cut off.
“Not from what I’ve seen.” Caroline finally said.
This gave Penelope a smile. Even though she didn’t believe it, thinking there might be a chance to be with Josie again made her happier than she’s been in a long time.
xxx
Josie and Lizzie were walking down the hallway when they got a text from Alaric letting them know Caroline had arrived. They were interrupted along the way. Both from MG and Ella. MG spun Lizzie around treating her like the princess she deserved. A lot of time had passed and Lizzie finally opened her eyes and saw who MG really was. She thought after all the losers she dated giving him a chance would be something different and it turned out to be one of the best decisions she ever made.
Ella came up to Josie and gave her a little peck on the lips.
“Hello, pretty girl.” Ella gave Josie the cutest smile.
“What was that for?” Josie smiled back.
“Can’t I kiss my girlfriend because I wanted to?” Ella asked with a flirtatious smile.
“Oh. You definitely can.” Josie laughed and kissed her back.
After spending minutes with Ella, Josie let her know that her mum was back and she needed to see her. She poked Lizzie on the way and they walked into Alaric’s office waiting for their mother to come inside.
xxx
Caroline and Penelope arrived at the Salvatore School but when Caroline started to walk forward, she noticed Penelope hadn’t moved at all.
“You’re not coming?” Caroline asked Penelope.
“Uh no. I have some things I need to do first.” Penelope making up an excuse since she wasn’t ready to see Josie yet.
“Is this about Josie? I’m sure she would be happy to see you.” Caroline looked at Penelope knowing how much that hurt for her to hear.
“Maybe another time.” Penelope smiled while insisting Caroline to go inside already.
Caroline started to move forward but Penelope stopped her to get a last word in.
“Just don’t tell Josie I’m back yet. I-” Caroline stopped her before she could say anything else.
“I understand.” Caroline smiled while pressing her hand against her cheek.
“I won’t say a word.”
And after Penelope heard that, Caroline walked inside the school while Penelope started to think of anything, she could do to take her mind off Josie. Although it’s been a year and so far, she had nothing.
xxx
Josie and Lizzie were patiently waiting for Caroline to come and Lizzie started to get impatient.
“How long does it take to get to the school? I thought she was a vampire.” Lizzie looked annoyed.
“I am sweetie.” Caroline smiled looking at the joy on her daughters faces when they saw her.
“Mum!!!!!” The twins screamed with excitement. They embraced Caroline with the biggest hug and told her repeatedly that they missed her.
“I missed my babies so much.” She reassured them.
So, after a lot of hugs and tears even Alaric and Caroline shared some hugs, Josie was the first one to pull away and had a question for her mother.
“So you said you had a surprise for us?” Josie asked with a smile.
“Ah yes. It’s nothing too major but your Dad and I wanted to give you girls a party. I mean not that celebrating that we found a cure is a must but we thought you might want something to look forward to after the year you’ve both had.” Caroline gave the twins a reassuring smile.
Josie and Lizzie had the biggest smiles on their faces and Caroline knew it was the best thing for them. This is exactly what they needed and maybe giving the family something to focus on would be good for all of them.