I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES.
On the early afternoon of October 3rd the weather was warm with a cool breeze, geese were flying in the sky of Mystic Falls, Virginia (to some, a sign of luck), and in the one of very few hotels around town, Caroline Forbes was breathing hysterically into a brown paper bag as her two best friend's fanned her face with wrinkled up wedding invitations.
"Rub your ears!" Elena exclaimed, tossing her bouquet of flowers onto the bed beside her. Bonnie looked at the brunette with confusion before she turned back to the hysterical bride and nodded.
"Rub your ears," she repeated. "I do it to my dog."
Caroline stopped for a moment before she raised pale fingers to the lobes of her ears. Elena moved the bride's veil and helped rub her lobes. "That's it," she encouraged with a beam of white teeth. "Feel better?"
Caroline nodded slowly.
"It's helpful," she admitted with an awkward laugh. "It feels nice."
Elena laughed and replaced Caroline's hands with her own whilst Bonnie watched out the hotel window toward the church opposite. She squealed as she saw a black limo pull up to the church and a man in a black tux step out.
"He's here!" She yelled, turning to see Elena dragging Caroline to the window by her ear.
"My ear, Elena!" The bride groaned.
Elena let go of Caroline and pushed aside the netting, squinting her eyes as she watched Tyler and Stefan step outside the church, Tyler lighting a cigarette between his lips as he paced warily outside the large doors.
People gathered around the groom-to-be, offering him their support with a smile before entering the church to await the much anticipated ceremony of Forbes and Lockwood.
The wedding had been under construction and planning for over two months. Tyler had proposed to Caroline in the woods during a late picnic, a spontaneous decision on his part. Tyler was a coach for the local football team at the high school, and Caroline was the events organizer around town, helping organize balls and Council parties, celebrations and holidays. They met in high school and were the typical high school couple, head cheerleader and captain of the football team.
Caroline's ring was almost offensive considering it's retail price. At £26,050, the 18k white gold Chanel ring was an outline of a rose (due to Tyler's love of the outdoors and forever referring to Caroline as his rose) studded with beautiful diamonds and decorated to catch the eye of any passer-by. It was a ring purchased whilst Tyler was away in London with Caroline to celebrate one of their anniversaries.
Caroline pulled away from the window and watched as her bridesmaid and maid of honour watched the groom and picked up her brown bag, breathing heavily into it. Elena turned to her friend and ran over, pulling the bag away and grabbing Caroline's bare shoulders.
"No bag," she repeated softly, smiling into worried blue eyes. "You'll be fine."
Caroline nodded quietly, reaching up to clutch her best friend's hands.
"I'm fine."
Elena nodded and kissed Caroline's forehead. "You're fine."
"Guys, it's almost time, Caroline we need to get your dress straightened out before we step outside."
Caroline nodded with hesitation and reached over to the vanity desk to pick up her bouquet.
After a short minute of flapping about and straightening out any loose strands of hair, Bonnie dropped the veil over Caroline's face and beamed through it. "You're ready to get married."
xx xx xx
Niklaus Mikaelson was shifting uncomfortably on the wooden seat inside the church of Mystic Falls. He looked around the church and noticed the groom shifting almost the same as he was, with worry etched on his face. Klaus couldn't help but let a small smirk grace his lips.
"What are you grinning at?"
Klaus turned toward his sister, smirk growing. "Oh, nothing, 'Bekah. Just watching the floor fade."
Rebekah snorted an unladylike snort and followed her brother's eyes.
"He's got every right to be nervous," she stated, watching the groom. "Caroline's not exactly the most trustworthy of women when it comes to responsibility. She can barely hold together a plant, let alone a marriage."
"Come now, Rebekah. That's not nice."
"Are you defending her, Nik?"
Klaus smiled. "No, Rebekah, but her taking care of a plant can hardly be compared to the biggest decision of her life."
Another snort fell from the blonde.
"They've been on and off since high school, Nik, they're barely the sturdiest couple in Mystic Falls. I think Elena and Damon have more hopes in a healthy married life than they do."
"So why are you here, sister?"
"I have a bet with Kol to see if Caroline even shows."
Klaus chuckled softly and placed an arm behind his sister. "She deserves someone better."
"Oh?" Rebekah smiled, turning to her older brother, resting her head on his forearm. "Would that be your, dear brother? You realise your infatuation with the girl hasn't gone unnoticed? Especially not by Tyler. You really should try to hide your feelings better."
"What makes you think I'm trying to hide them?" Klaus mumbled, no ounce of denial in his words.
Rebekah pulled her head off of her brother and listened to the gentle sounds of a violin echoing the church. Her smile fell to concern as she faced Klaus. "She deserves better, but so do you. She's been your friend for years, she's not as dense as she seems - she has to suspect something, and she's obviously ignored it, for her own selfish reasons, Nik. You deserve better."
Klaus shrugged and focused on the groom again.
"There is no such thing. A simple light can be no brighter than the brightest star."
xx xx xx
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you'd please rise."
Caroline Forbes took a shaky breath as she clutched her step-father's arm. Stephen squeezed her free hand gently and pressed a kissed to her covered temple. "This is it, sweetie. Your dad would be so proud," he whispered, giving her gloved hand another squeeze.
Caroline blinked back tears as she met Stephen's eyes and forced a large smile.
"Let's go," she whispered, swallowing the lump forming in her throat. Stephen watched her eyes for a few seconds and turned back to the aisle, slowly following Bonnie's lead as she took slow steps toward the altar.
Tyler's face slowly came into view, his mouth was up with a smile, and his eyes gleaming, but Caroline ignored his face and stared straight at Stefan. He was smiling with encouragement, and sent a wink her way. She smiled hesitantly back and looked around the seats, greeting people with a soft smile, and nodding at their compliments.
She stopped a few aisles down and watched as her best friend smiled back at her. She reached out for his hand, pushing his sister's body back as she grasped it. "Thank you for coming," she mimed. Klaus smiled and nodded, removing his hand from hers and stepping back beside his sister.
Stephen continued their walk, another few aisles up and she finally concentrated on the face of her fiancé. Tyler was slowly stepping toward her, her heart thumped in her chest and she stopped, holding her hand up to Stephen.
"I can't," she whispered with a shaky voice, her head lowering.
Stephen froze beside her. "What's wrong, Caroline?" he whispered, bending to whisper in her ear, ignoring the mumbling of the guests. "Are you okay?"
"I can't do it," she repeated, letting her arm slip through his, dropping her bouquet.
The bride stepped back, away from Stephen, she caught a glimpse of Stefan stepping forward before she turned and bolted out of the open doors. Stephen turned sharply and Elena ran down the aisle after her, holding her dress up to her knees.
"Caroline!" she called.
Caroline ignored Elena and pushed toward the limo, she jumped in, pushing past the driver as he opened the door. Sinking into the seat at the back, Caroline hid her face with gloved hands and ignored the gentle music and smell of open champagne bottles.
She heard the ruffle of leather seats as someone sat beside her, and a warm hand took her gloved one.
"Caroline," Elena whispered. "What's going on?"
Caroline turned toward the open window and back to the driver, tears in her eyes.
"Drive," she ordered.
xx xx xx
Klaus winced as he turned toward the open doors and heard the screech of tires. His sister was in shock beside him, her hand raised to her mouth as she clutched her purse beneath her arm. He let a hand fall on her shoulder as he turned back to the altar and saw Tyler sat on the step, head in his hands, Matt consoling him.
Elizabeth Forbes was sat at the front of the church, her eyes wide in horror as Stefan knelt in front of her, hands holding her gloved ones. Liz finally removed her hat and placed it beside her, raising her hand away from Stefan's to wipe damp cheeks.
Klaus saw her mouth move, but strained to hear the words.
Rebekah turned to him, interrupting his observation. "Well," she started, clearing her throat with an awkward smile. "As much as it was expected, I didn't realize it would be that dramatic."
Klaus frowned at his sister's attitude and stepped past her, excusing himself as he moved through the hustle of leaving guests and toward the bride's mother. "Liz," he mumbled, sitting beside her as Stefan seemed to comfort her.
Liz turned towards Klaus and blinked at him before scooting over and making room for the Brit.
"Did that really happen?" She muttered, her voice dry.
Klaus handed the woman a tissue and turned toward Stefan, watching the best man's eyes furrow in confusion and irritation. Klaus loosened his tie and shuffled in his seat.
"I'm afraid so," he sighed.
Liz shrugged her shoulder's and turned her gaze towards Tyler, who was standing up and coming towards her. She pushed herself to sit upright, and held a hand out for the distraught man.
"I don't know what came over her," he laughed uncomfortably. "Wedding jitters, you know? M-Maybe she'll come back. We spent so long planning this - she was so excited last night, I -"
Liz held up her free hand to stop the man.
"I don't think she's coming back."
Tyler frowned.
"I think that's it, Tyler. I can't explain why my daughter did what she did, but she did."
Tyler scoffed and stood upright, pulling his arm from the woman. "She'll come back," he repeated, nodding. "She's just got wedding jitters." His dark eyes met those of Klaus' and narrowed. "You need to get her back."
Klaus stared back at the groom and shook his head. "Afraid that's not my job, mate."
"What do you mean, that's not your job?! This is probably all your fault!"
Klaus stood, walking toward the man.
"I don't think you know what you're insinuating, Tyler. Whatever it is, I suggest you stop."
Tyler snorted and pushed forward, ignoring Stefan holding his arm to tug him back.
"I know you wanted her - couldn't stand to see me have her. She was going to be mine and you couldn't handle that could you, mate? I bet you spent the night trying to talk her out of it. I saw her come in here and come toward you, what did you say to her? Tell her to back out? Tell her to run? We all know she listens to you!"
Klaus growled and stepped forward again, pausing when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned back to see his sister's eyes glaring back at him.
"Not here, Nik. If you want to start a fight I suggest you take it elsewhere." Her chin jerked toward Caroline's mother.
Klaus growled once more and turned toward Tyler.
"I said nothing to her, what she did was her own choice - a totally understandable one. I suppose it didn't take long for her to realise that you were just a head full of hot air."
Tyler growled and pounced forward, Klaus dodged his attack by stepping back and taking hold of his sister's arm. He nodded toward Liz and Stefan and took off out of the church, pulling out his phone from inside his jacket pocket he made a call to Caroline as his face hit the fresh air of Mystic Falls.
xx xx xx
"I don't know what happened," Caroline cried as she struggled to take her dress off. Jittery hands fought against the ties at the back and she silently screamed in frustration as her fingers missed the lace. She turned to her friend, desperation written on her face; screaming for help.
Elena stepped forward off of her friend's bed and reached toward the lace of her corset.
"It just didn't seem right. It was like as soon as I took my eyes off everyone else and looked at him - it just wasn't right." Caroline heaved a sigh as her corset loosened around her chest, she held a hand up to the fabric to cover her breasts. "I mean, as I looked around it was all Tyler, you know? There was no part of me in there - and I'm the event planner. The planner who didn't even plan her own wedding! And you know what else, Elena?"
Elena hummed in response as she tackled the lace.
"I don't even know what I like anymore, it's so easy to plan other people's weddings because I can go on the idea of what they like, but what about me?" the blonde admitted, kicking her heels off of her feet. "Tyler loves football and the outdoors and studying all these types of tackles and attacks for his team. He used to take me along to their try outs and they'd push me on their little tackle bag things and it'd be my chariot - that's what he called it - my chariot. And this ring." Caroline paused and held her left hand up to her face, glaring at the rose ring. "It was so expensive but it's not what I like."
"Isn't it Chanel?" Elena mumbled.
"Well, yeah, but I just wanted simple. God, I sound so selfish."
Elena released the last tie and pushed the corset off of her friend.
"That's all I ever wanted. A marriage that was simple, it'd be words and love and there'd be a simple ring and a simple dress. You know? I got all that extravagance out when I was younger. I've planned weddings and they're not fun if they're big, and I know it's shocking for me to say, of all people. It's just being watched - it's pressure. Where's the fun? Aren't you supposed to go in, just you, your husband, the pastor, and a witness or two and get married and love each other? Why does everyone have to watch you and judge you? Where's the love?"
Elena stepped back as Caroline stepped out of her dress, pulling on a bra and a vest top. She watched the blonde remove her earrings and pull on a pair of loose shorts before falling onto the stool by her vanity desk.
"When I helped Tyler plan all this, I didn't stop to tell him I'd prefer daisies instead of roses. I didn't tell him that I liked that pastel pink, not the dark one - but you do look beautiful," she paused to smile at her friend's maid of honour dress. "I've spent all of my relationship being what Tyler wanted, that I can't even remember what it feels like to be me. I don't have the voice to speak up anymore."
Elena sat back on Caroline's bed and opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off by the sound of Caroline's cell phone going off on the table. She reached toward it and held it up for Caroline to see.
'Nik'.
Caroline shook her head and turned back to the mirror, pulling bobby pins out of her hair, letting loose curls fall down her face. Elena watched her friend for a moment before she slid her finger across the screen and put the phone to her ear.
"Caroline Forbes' phone, Elena speaking."
"Elena, where's Caroline?"
"She's not in the mood to talk, Klaus."
"Elena," Klaus growled, the sound of wind breaking up his anger. "Put her on the phone."
"One moment, please." Elena pulled the phone to her chest and watched her friend through the reflection in the mirror. "Care, he's adamant to talk to you."
Caroline sighed and held her hand out as the other played with the pins placed in her hair. Elena stood and handed her the phone, taking over in freeing Caroline's hair.
"What's up?" Caroline beamed with fake enthusiasm.
"Caroline," Klaus sighed. "What happened?"
The blonde stared at herself in the mirror and blinked glittery silver eye shadow. She stared at the colour of her dark pink nails and finally let the tears take over. "I couldn't do it," she sobbed quietly. "I couldn't do it."
"Sweetheart," Klaus muttered into her ear. "Where are you?"
"I'm at my house."
Klaus shuffled on the other end of the phone and grunted. "I'll be there in ten minutes, Rebekah will come pick up Elena if she wishes to go and change at her own house. I'll pick up some things from the shop, what would you like, love?"
"Wine," Caroline sobbed. "Lots of wine."
"Wine," Klaus confirmed. "I'll be ten minutes, Caroline."
She nodded, knowing Klaus couldn't see her. She hung up the phone and dropped her head into her folded arms on her desk. "Oh God," she cried. "I'm the worst person ever."
Elena rubbed her friend's back, having heard the conversation. "Caroline, you're not a bad person," she said softly, scooting onto her knees on the floor. "You're one of the best people I know."
"Oh, yeah? So why did I just run out of my own wedding without even an apology to Tyler? Why did I just leave him standing there?"
Elena rested her head against her friend's thigh, shifting uncomfortable in her dress. "Because it wasn't you."
Caroline's throat hitched with a hiccupped sob. "No," she agreed.
"You need someone who you can be you around. Maybe you did love him, but he wasn't the one for you. You know? He was comfortable. Like a really nice dress that you don't ever want to get rid of because you've had it for so long, but it just doesn't fit anymore? You know?"
Caroline laughed softly, the sound muffled by her arms.
"Tyler's that dress, but you need to get over that dress and get a new style, it's been years and you've stuck with that dress and you've never experimented with anything else. There's so much more out there! Louis Vuitton, Kardashians. Jesus, Caroline, there's Jimmy Choo!"
Caroline raised her head, laughing as she watched mascara fall down her face. She turned to look at Elena as her friend sat up. She took her friend's hand and rested her head on Elena's. "Jimmy Choo is nice," she said softly.
Elena grinned. "Of course it is. It's going to suck getting rid of your favourite dress, but you'll get over it and so will everyone else. It just wasn't meant to be. It was once, but if you lose yourself in that time, then there's something wrong."
"I love you," Caroline admitted with a soft sigh. "You're my best friend, even if you just compared my failing relationship to an old dress and designer brands."
Elena laughed. "I love you, Care, that's how I do."
The front door of Caroline's house opened and the two perked up at the sound, Caroline turned to the mirror and wiped the drying mascara from her cheeks with the back of her hand, smudging it across her nose. She cleared her face in time to see the bedroom door open and Klaus and Rebekah walk in.
"Well, well if it isn't the blushing bride to - oh.." Rebekah stopped with a sly grin.
Caroline narrowed her eyes at the blonde, Elena standing up. "Not now, Rebekah. Grow some respect would you?"
Rebekah snorted and turned her face to her brother, folding her arms.
Klaus looked toward Caroline, placing a bag down on her bed as he went over to her. "Hey," he muttered, pushing a stray curl behind her ear with a small smile. Caroline smiled back at her friend and placed a hand over his on her cheek.
"Oh, please, it's been less than five minutes and you're already making a move? And I need to get some respect?"
Klaus turned to glare at his sister. "Rebekah," he hissed.
Rebekah raised her hands and turned to Elena as she dropped them. "Come on," she sighed, jerking her chin to the door. "I don't want to be in this depression more than I have to. Get your things, lets go."
Elena turned to Caroline and smiled comfortingly. "Remember what I said," she reminded the blonde with a wink. "There's always Jimmy Choo."
Caroline smiled as her friend picked up her bag and made her way to the bedroom door. She took one final look at Caroline and sent her another wink, blowing a kiss to her friend. Caroline smiled and took her hand away from Klaus' letting them both drop.
"Thanks, Elena."
Hello there welcome to another multi-chapter fic (I'M ON A ROLL WITH THIS!), I recently watched 'The Runaway Bride', Julia Roberts and Richard Gere are just becoming a major inspiration to me so far, and this fic is slightly based on that film, but obviously not so much.
As for this chapter, I hope you enjoyed, and I hope I didn't rush into it. I plan to let their relationship grow a little more, but you got an insight into Klaus' feelings and Caroline's wedding jitters and ... not so much her wedding. You got a look into Tyler's feelings for Caroline and his feelings towards Klaus.
Hopefully you all enjoyed and I hope you stick around for the next chapter.
Let me know what you thought, leave your thoughts in that pretty review box below, don't forget to favourite and follow the story!
Love you all!
ps: IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW! WOO WOO (6th January ;))