150 years in the future from 2011 (After Graduation)

"All right, you have twenty seconds to be down here, dressed up FORMALLY with your studies completed. Are you ready? FIVE...FOUR….THREE…"

Caroline smiled while counting down, listening to the scatter of feet in the top floor. This was one of her favorite things to do with the kids. They were all so competitive and it was good for them to have the mindset of always trying to be better than the last time.

She knew they were all just waking up and this time would be harder than others, but she had an important guest coming today so she needed her children to be on their best behaviour. This little game also would help in case of emergency. If there was ever a time when the family would have to dress quickly then this would prove to be beneficial practice.

"TWO…"

Richard was the first to come racing down the steps. He was her youngest son. Just nine years old and he was still more mature than his brothers most of the time. He had dark brown hair like all of his older brothers except for Nick, who had blonde curly hair. His eyes, however were a warm brown. She grinned at him when he came racing up to greet her with a kiss on the cheek.

"G'morning, mum," he greeted, flying past her to sit down in his designated seat at the breakfast table.

Following Richard was his older twin brothers by three years, Kolby and Kory, who came bantering down the great staircase into the breakfast hall still tugging on each others' clothes as they greeted their mother. Thank God they had different colored eyes or else Caroline would have never known the difference. Kolby had shining, bright blue eyes and Kory had deep green emerald ones that shouted the table they sat opposite of Richard, and Caroline rolled her eyes as they messed with their younger brother.

Her eldest son, Michael, who looked to be twenty-five years of age came down to the breakfast hall in a casual walk. He was quite tall, standing at six foot-four. Like his younger brother Kolby he had blue eyes but they would change to green on more than one occasion. His hair was more black than brown and often tended to curl if he didn't gel it. Caroline secretly loved her oldest son's curly hair, it made him look more Greek than English. Stepping up to his mother, he gave her a warm hug and kiss on the forehead before sitting down next to Richard on his left.

"ONE!" Caroline shouted and laughed as she felt the 'swoosh' of air pinpoint when exactly her last two sons had arrived.

They stood in front of her now, and the young mother groaned as they continued to shove each other like normal brothers.
Eli, the second oldest son stood right of Nick. Eli was 21 years old and had the same dark, curly hair like his brother Michael, except his eyes were just as black. Long and lean, he stood proudly at six foot-two as well as his brother Nick who stood at the same height.

Nick was 19 in age and had blonde, curly hair with dark roots. He was slightly more muscular than his brother Eli but was still just as lean.

Eli was the first out of the two to step forward and kiss his mother's cheek, muttering a quick "Good morning" before he went to sit next to Michael. Nick soon followed, and gave his mother a strong, firm hug, kissing her cheek as well.

When he leaned back to say good morning, Caroline gasped. His dimples were showing again and it was in moments like these where she couldn't help but imagine him standing in front of her. She smiled back at her son gently and let him pull back her chair and push her in.

Nick took his spot next to Kory at the end of the table, and Caroline began to worry about Stefan and Joanna until he appeared just seconds later. She sighed in relief and smiled up at him as he brought her two year-old daughter to her.

"Good morning, Care," Stefan greeted as he came to stand beside her. Gently he gave the just awoken Joanna to Caroline who gathered her in her arms. She smiled warmly down at her daughter when Joanna gave a little happy squeak upon seeing her mother.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Caroline cooed, receiving a delighted giggle from the two year-old.

Stefan smiled at the pair and leaned down to kiss his best friend and soul mate's head, rubbing her back. Caroline grinned up at him then and asked, "Where is Tessa at? Did she make it back home okay?"

"She's here, she came in this morning at two a.m. so she's sleeping in if you don't mind her absence," Stefan replied.

Caroline nodded. "Of course it's okay, after what she had to go through to get those herbs, I'm sure she'll need all the rest she can get. I'll go see her later today."

Stefan nodded and then sat to Caroline's left, getting settled in. Next to him sat Richard who talked animatedly with his uncle while the cooks and servants put breakfast on the table.

Caroline turned Joanna around in her lap so she sat facing the rest of her brothers, earning glances from the older siblings and a pinch on the cheek from Kolby. Joanna was really small for a two year old and had blonde curls like her brother Nick but Caroline knew that those would straighten out as the child got older. She had dark blue eyes and one dimple that could be seen only when she smiled. She was also very stubborn and selfish, always wanting things here and there and getting tired of them soon after. It was a struggle to keep the little girl in line but Caroline managed.

"Milady, your breakfast has been served," the head chef told her. She gave him a thankful and appreciative nod which he bowed to respectfully.

She grabbed his arm and told him sternly, "Jorge, make sure that you make a breakfast just as delicious for the rest of the staff and yourself. I want those who feed my family and I to be treated to the same pleasantries."

Jorge bowed and thanked her graciously before leading his staff back into the kitchen.

She turned and grinned evilly at her twin boys who had been poking at their food eagerly awaiting their mother's consent to begin eating.

"Are you hungry boys?" She asked them, and they both glared at her half-heartedly.

She let them squirm for a few more seconds before she shouted, "DIG IN!" and her boys began to feast on the breakfast in front of them.

Later that day, Caroline could be found watching from the balcony window her children play tag outside. It was good for them. It would help them develop good skills in avoiding capture and they loved being able to run at full speed. She smiled when she looked down and saw Stefan sat in the grass watching the boys. He had Joanna in his lap and Tessa sat beside him looking extremely tired but happy to be back.

Caroline was glad that Tessa and Stefan had found love in each other. They both needed it to ease their pain of being abandoned, judged, or misunderstood. Tessa, or Qetsiyah, as some people know her as, was the strongest woman Caroline had ever met and was so blessed that she was sisters with her. One of the oldest and most powerful witches; Tessa had been through alot in her two-thousand odd years. Caroline knew that being apart of this family was just as beneficial to the ancient witch as it was to Caroline herself.

Caroline's thoughts strayed to the visitor that would be arriving shortly.

Marcel.

Caroline had sent a letter personally to him to ask for a meeting at her home. She wished to talk with the former king of New Orleans on the upcoming trip her family would take to the bloodied city.
She sighed then.

Ever since Klaus' arrival to New Orleans, war has been the only thing that famed city knew. The supernatural world called it the Centuries War, for it has gradually been approaching the second century mark of its happening.

According to her sources Marcel and The Mikaelson family have been fighting over the reigns of that city for years. Klaus had proclaimed himself the ruler of the city in the early 19th century but when he left his prodigy, Marcel, a former slave, had taken over and war has only ever been the following action.

How pathetic.

One thing Caroline hated above all was pointless death over something as corrupted as a power struggle. Power over people was the worst corruption there was and New Orleans did not deserve to be caught in the middle of that childish struggle. If Caroline hated one thing about Klaus it was his endless strive for more power. She knew that it mostly stemmed from childhood insecurities and the tragedy of Klaus' father abusing him but he had been alive for a thousand years. It was time to stop acting like a monster.

There was a knock at the door and Caroline turned to see Gerard peek his head through the door. "Milady, the guest has arrived and is downstairs waiting for you," he said.

Caroline nodded. "Thank you, Gerard," she said walking out the door with one of her loyal guards escorting her down to the lobby. "How are you doing today?"

Gerard grinned. "Very well, ma'am," he began, "for I have once again beaten your lovely twins Kolby and Kory at their own game again."

Caroline laughed at that. Kolby and Kory loved playing games with the guards, trying to fool them into believing they were the other twin but it never worked. Most of the guards have known them since they were born sixty years ago and they were trained to always be aware of the children in order to better protect them. Caroline felt grateful that the guards enjoyed her children so much, it would strengthen the desire to protect them if such an occasion happened where they needed to step in.

Caroline and Gerard stepped into the lobby, stopping the conversation from continuing. Marcel saw her first and he looked her up and down approvingly, giving her a wide grin that Caroline returned softly. She knew she had to tread lightly with this one. She had encountered many men in the middle of war and knew how easy it was to be drug into one. She would not make the same mistake.

"Caroline Forbes, the reigning Mother of Vampire Children and Those Gone Astray. It is a pleasure to be in your presence," Marcel said as way of hello. Caroline knew that his greeting was a mockery and admiration of her reputation in the supernatural world. She approached the older vampire and held out her hand for him to shake.

Marcel took it gently and brought her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. Caroline remained stoic as he looked up at her mischievously. She supposed this was a good way of acting. If you were to be involved in a childish war you might as well act like one. How fitting, she thought.

"Marcel, former king of New Orleans," Caroline stated, her tone carefully hid her venom, "it is a pleasure to meet you as well. Please, shall we go talk in a place more private?" she asked rhetorically already turning around and leading the way to her chambers.

When two guards made to follow Caroline shook her head at them. "I will be fine," she told Gerard and Toby, "if you like, you may go help Stefan keep watch on the children. Thank you."

Marcel made no comment on the interaction, but opted to follow they younger vampire up the stairs.

Caroline led her to the room she had just vacated and held the door open for him to walk inside. She watched as Marcel got aware with his surroundings, and her lips turned up at the corner when he gave a slight shudder. She closed the door behind her and made her way towards him, her hands behind her back.

"No worries, it's just a privacy spell," she reassured when she saw his wary glance. "It will keep this conversation private from the others."

"You have your own little witch, too, do you?" Marcel commented. "Nice to have, I must admit."

Caroline gave him a look. "I do not 'have' a witch. Neither do I 'have' guards or servants. Tessa, or as you may know her as, Qetsiyah," his eyes widened dramatically, "is practically my sister and my best friend's wife. My guards came willingly to protect my family because I have helped them. You know of my reputation. Most, if not all, of 'those gone astray' as you put it earlier feel indebted to me and have opted to protect this household. My servants are the humans that are left with nothing and came to me to offer servitude in exchange of a hefty salary. I treat them as I would anyone: with respect and I ask you give the same kindness to them as I would."

Marcel nodded after a moment but asked the question Caroline saw coming after her little speech. "Your sister, Qetsiyah," he started, "she is the witch who created the immortality spell?"

Caroline nodded. "She is my family and I am blessed to have such a powerful witch by my side."

Marcel nodded in agreement. "I totally understand. Not a lot can hurt you with her on your side."

"So...what is it that you wish to discuss with me, Caroline?" Marcel asked after an awkward lull in the conversation. Caroline had moved to stand in front of the balcony and looked up at him after a moment.

"Come here, Marcel. I think it's best if I just show you first," she said, holding out a hand towards him. Marcel made his way towards her and Caroline led him out onto the balcony, to look out over the railing. Down below, Stefan and Tessa had gone to play with the older boys and Joanna was now sleeping soundly on top of Michael's chest, who laid peacefully on the ground. Kolby and Kory were currently the ones 'it' and were being chased by Stefan. Tessa had decided to help her two young nephews and kept their bodies hidden, only revealing their smell.

Richard was currently being taught how to fight with his older brothers Eli and Nick and Caroline waited for Marcel to notice it.

It didn't take long. He had been looking down curiously at the large group of children and when he finally saw what Caroline needed to explain his jaw dropped and he looked back and forth between mother and son.

"I don't understand. How can he..?" Marcel stammered, clearly flustered.

Caroline smiled softly and put a hand on his shoulder. "I know. This is one of the reasons I brought you here to talk today." She gestured towards her son Nick who was wrestling with Richard. "That is Nick. As you have noticed, he is an exact carbon copy of Niklaus Mikaelson. He isn't a doppelganger, though. He's Klaus' reincarnation."

Marcel gave her an incredulous look then. "A reincarnation? What do you mean?"

She took a deep breath before she dove in. "When Klaus died all those years ago a part of his soul got taken from him and has been shoved into other humans with the likeness of his appearance throughout centuries. I don't know why but it has happened. The problem is most of the incarnations don't live past the age of 25, which was apparently the age Klaus turned into a vampire. Nick, however is a peculiar case."

"He was born with the werewolf gene and it was triggered by a psychotic doctor when he was just four years old, unlike Klaus who never triggered the werewolf curse while being human."

Marcel frowned at the part about the psychotic doctor but Caroline had no need to explain that with this vampire. She continued.

"I don't know how that will affect what may happen when he turns 25 but he is doing everything he can to live as long as his vampire siblings. Tessa has put a spell on him that ages him along the same lines of his brothers but it is not enough for him. Like Klaus, he wishes to become as powerful as he can but not for the same reasons. He does not wish to control anyone or any city, he only wishes to have the power to better protect his family which I do not criticize him for but it is unnecessary. However, you and I know both know that denying someone something will only make them want it that much more. That is why I need to visit New Orleans."

Marcel looked serious as he took all the information in and stood straighter when Caroline stated her need to step into the damaged city. "Nick wishes to become a hybrid like his incarnation and to do so he needs Klaus' blood and that of a doppelganger. We are missing one part of that combination and you know which part that is."

He nodded.

"All I ask of you is that on upon our arrival to New Orleans, my family will not be harmed or taken as hostages in your war. We will NOT be used as pawns, do you understand?" Caroline demanded, suddenly getting determined.

Marcel grinned. "Of course I do."

"Good, because if you or any one of your lackeys harms a single hair on one of my childrens' head I will personally make you suffer."

Marcel held his hands up in defense. "Easy, Caroline, I will not touch your children or family. But just know that Nick's presence will cause an uproar in the city. Lots of people aren't too fond of Klaus down there and loyalty has been hard to come by lately. I can't promise anything with him."

Caroline stayed quiet for a minute before she looked up at him again. "Our stay will not be long. Hopefully, if Klaus acts civil," Caroline rolled her eyes and the two vampires shared a mutual laugh. "Most of my children are vampires Marcel, even my little Joanna, who is only two," Caroline stated seriously.

"I want you to know that we will not feed on any of the humans there, we have our own loyal servants who offer their blood gladly to us. They are not compelled to do so, just for your information," Caroline said proudly, grinning at his incredulous expression. "So. Will you allow us to visit New Orleans unharmed?"

Marcel pondered for a moment but Caroline knew he would agree. There was no reason not to.

He held out his hand in the way one would to end a deal and Caroline shook it firmly. "You have my word that you will not be attacked by myself or anyone loyal to me in New Orleans. Just know that I will not offer my protection to your family if one of Klaus' subjects attack you. We are an outside party to this."

Caroline nodded in agreement, but she doubted that any of Klaus' men could hurt her or her family. Her family was quite strong after all.

Marcel left soon after that, leaving Caroline to wonder and think about her upcoming visit to New Orleans.

After all, she would be seeing him again.