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part iii
"By the end of the sixth or seventh month, babies respond to their own names, recognise their native language, and use their tone of voice to tell you if they're happy or upset," Tyler read off of the online website he had found. The whole 'family' currently resided in the living — even though most of them weren't — room. The fire held a warm glow as Kol threw Jeremy up into the air and caught him before repeating the process,—
("Your brother has been oddly attached to Jeremy all day," Tyler commented from his position on the floor in between the couch where Rebekah, Elijah and Damon sat and Klaus' armchair. He balanced the laptop on his knees.
"Jealous, Douchewood?" Damon smirked as Elena continued to smile up at him and her little fingers grabbed at his outstretched one— he'd pull away every so often to keep it interesting.
"Wha— no!" Tyler squeaked and snorted while slowly shrinking back into the hole between the furniture.
"If you're sure," Rebekah was beginning to get slightly irritated as Stefan's hair pulling was resulting in knots she did not need.
"I am," he glared at her then glanced at Klaus and smirked, "I'd say ask my girlfriend but she's a little busy at the moment, but don't worry, she was nothing if not satisfied."
"Yes, I'm sure your ex-girlfriend was quite happy with you," Klaus then added, "at a time," Tyler opened his mouth to rebuttal — because she's still technically his girlfriend, jackass — but then remembered that he was kind of, sort of, still on the crazy immortal's hit list.)
—Bonnie busied herself searching through the last three grimoires she owned, Rebekah went through the complements jar while Stefan snored happily on her chest, Damon and Elijah made small talk as they clutched their dopplegängers, Matt played Christmas carols on the ivory piano (he's trying to spread the cheer, sue him), and Caroline gnawed to her heart's content on Klaus' outstretched pointer finger— her favourite one, it seemed.
"Elena," Bonnie called and the brunette looked up to meet her eyes. The witch smiled and continued her work.
"When do they start walking?" Kol asked while sitting crossed legged on the sheepskin rug by the brick fireplace. Jeremy swayed happily on his lap.
"Seriously, what are you up to?" Tyler's eyes narrowed at the youngest Original brother.
"Moi?" Kol placed a hand to his heart, "why nothing, I'm just being an involved parent."
"Parent? Listen, asshole—"
"Okay!" Matt clapped his hands together as he walked over to sit beside Bonnie, "in risk of ruining the oh-so-friendly atmosphere, what are we planning on doing about the whole creepy professor and super vampire hunter thing?"
"I have some vampires looking into it," Elijah answered, "and Niklaus has possession of the sword—" Caroline suddenly began to cry, everyone's heads turned at the noise. The little blonde wailed and Kol froze and stared at her while holding her like she was a disease. Klaus had passed her to him seconds before, then left the room to go get a few bottles of brandy to soften the mood.
"What do I do?" Kol eyed the baby warily as it continued to cry, "it's staring right at me," the big, blue, watery orbs were indeed focused on Kol. Rebekah burst into fits of laughter, waking up Stefan who yawned and rubbed at his face.
"Your face scared her! Oh, this is brilliant!" Rebekah received a warning look from Elijah and calmed her laughter but continued chuckling away to herself.
"What do I do?" Kol moaned again and Jeremy began to giggle at his distressed facial expression.
"You could try not holding her like she's freaking Simba," Damon rolled his eyes then sighed as Elena sniffed and looked between him and Caroline like she was wondering what the problem was, "still selfless, why am I not surprised?"
Kol awkwardly attempted to comfort the blonde but he looked like he would start crying with her soon. Jeremy slipped soundlessly onto the sheepskin rug and Caroline peered down at him, her bottom lip wobbling and tears streaming down her cheeks. They stared at each other and no one moved.
"Ba-ba," Jeremy muttered with a giggle and Caroline made a noise that sounded a lot like a huff. Silence filled the room as no one knew quite what to do.
"I leave the room for five seconds and you all turn mute," Klaus commented as he waltzed back into the room. He left a few different bottles on the coffee table and poured himself a glass before plucking Caroline into his arms, much to his brother's relief, and standing by the fireplace. Caroline lay her head on his shoulder and nibbled on her own finger like nothing had happened.
All the adults — if you could call them that — had accepted a glass before Matt spoke up again.
"It's just," he gathered everyone's attention, "I've been thinking—" Damon clapped and everyone ignored him, "—and do we really need the cure now? I mean, Elena's human so problem solved, more or less."
"I suppose not," Elijah mused and almost everyone nodded along.
"Hang on," Rebekah looked between her brothers, "you're just giving up?!"
"As much as I hate to say this, the Quarterback's right," Damon shrugged before gulping his drink down in one go.
"But—"
"I'm off to bed," Klaus announced before throwing back the rest of his drink and heading towards the stairs.
"But—"
"Me too," Tyler said sourly as he stared longingly at Caroline from behind Klaus.
"Mate, if you keep looking at me like that Jeremy might get jealous," Klaus smirked as the two hybrids began their insult battle while they climbed the staircase.
"I better head off too," Damon picked up Elena, Matt and Bonnie collected 'their' children.
"I have a few phone calls to make," Elijah told Matt as he passed Katherine to him, "kiss her good night for me."
"Uh, that's— do you mean— um," Matt swayed awkwardly as Elijah had already disappeared then nodded and clicked his tongue. Kol stood to leave, too.
"If you get cold tonight, Bonnie, remember my room is only a staircase away," a slap echoed through the hall.
"But— I—" Rebekah mumbled to herself then groaned and headed for the stairs with Stefan pulling her hair along the way, "I hate you all!" she yelled before slamming her door as the 'I love you too's and 'I know's sounded from different floors, "Bloody family," she muttered then smiled fondly at the bright eyed boy in her arms. She only hoped they all survived by morning, what with cunning, revenge-seeking creatures of the night occupying each room. She'll just have to wait and see.
"Sleep tight, don't let Kol bite," Klaus whispered to Tyler, who scowled, before climbing the last set of stairs and entering his own room. It really had been an interesting day. He sighed, placed the bundle of blonde on his bed and took off his shirt and pants. He slipped on a pair of pyjamas bottoms and slid under the covers with his little Caroline. Technically, there was a cot he was supposed to put her in but he figured what Caroline won't remember can't hurt him. He smiled as she chewed on his finger again and made little hums of content. She would grow and become the same sassy, beautiful, eccentric Caroline again, he was sure of that.
"Caroline," he whispered absentmindedly and her little blue eyes met his. He smiled and wiggled his finger, she let out a huff and chomped harder, almost as if she was scolding him, "Goodnight, sweetheart."
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"Say Klaus. You can do it, just say Klaus. I'll give you a lollipop."
"Bek," Caroline grinned and Klaus groaned. Two hours in and he was sure she was enjoying his frustration. He had been grumpy ever since she had started talking and said practically everything bar his name—
("For God sake, Matt! If you don't stop eating the baby food you will be paying for my next shipment of new shoes!" Rebekah hissed as she juggled Stefan on one hip and a mixing bowl on the other.
"Oh that's a scary thought," Kol crinkled his nose, "Rebekah's smelly feet, yuck," the wooden spoon in Rebekah's hand was suddenly lodged in the chair Kol sped out of. He sat down next to Matt with a smirk.
"Nik!" Rebekah groaned and lightly swatted Stefan's hand away as he reached for her hair, "Pull that out of Tyler this instant!" Rebekah exclaimed and Kol sniggered at the unintended innuendo, "We have a very important dinner to prepare for and if you get in my way—"
"I know, I know," the handle of the frying pan made a popping noise as Klaus yanked it out of the infuriating lesser-him, "You'll chop me up and bury different body parts in my least favourite countries then send Caroline to a nunnery. I've heard it all before, 'Bekah," he rolled his eyes and strut towards the table, Tyler glaring at his back.
"Besides, it's not an important dinner," Klaus dropped into the seat beside Caroline's high chair. She poked his nose and he smiled at her, catching her hand and holding it in his, "I honestly don't see what all the fuss is about. It's just the Mayer."
"Just the May—" Rebekah slapped the mixing bowl onto the kitchen counter, "Just the Mayer?! This is our only chance at a good first impression, Niklaus!"
"Um, can't you just compel him?" Matt suggested then hid behind a cookery book from Rebekah's glare.
"No!" She snapped and plucked her wooden spoon out of the chair. Suddenly, the kitchen door flung open and Damon walked through carrying Elena.
"I broke the cot again," Damon announced and everyone present collectively groaned. He rolled his eyes, it's not him that should be blamed it's the damn thing that is faulty.
"Seriously?!" Everyone's heads swung around to stare at the little blonde nibbling on her finger— even though she now had teeth she still hadn't managed to quit that habit. Kol and Matt burst into fits of laughter, Damon clicked his tongue and smirked while Klaus grinned fondly and even Rebekah managed a smile.)
—which was getting on his last nerve, to say the least. She even said Kol's bloody name. Not to mention Tyler. He fixed his determined eyes back on her.
"No. Klaus. Say Klaus," he pleaded with all the gentleness he could muster.
"'Ol!" Caroline grinned and pointed towards his approaching nosey brother.
"No luck then?" Kol asked, coming through the doorway.
"None," Klaus sighed and rubbed at his forehead.
"Why don't you try getting her to say 'Nik', it's easier," Kol double tapped his head with his index finger. Klaus blinked and then turned to Caroline.
"Say Nik," Klaus watched Caroline intently. She opened her mouth and he started to smile.
"Pee," she whined and pointed towards the hall. Klaus sighed. Kol smirked.
"Mouse, me pee!" Klaus gaped at the little blonde girl as she bounced up and down on his lap.
"Oh that's bloody brilliant!" Kol burst into fits of laughter. Klaus hoped he choked on it.
"Now, Mouse!" Caroline tugged at his shirt.
"Command him, darling!" Kol was crying from laughing so hard.
"The things that amuse you are just sad," Klaus sneered then rested Caroline on his hip and walked towards the bathroom. Kol dropped to the ground and laughed some more.
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"'Wings!" Elena whined as she tugged on Damon's trousers. He sighed and picked her up. She grinned at him and clutched at his shirt in anticipation. The swing set seemed to be her favourite thing in the world— besides Damon, and maybe strawberries as that is what her first fumbled word sounded like.
Jeremy and Katherine rolled around on the ground in what ended up looking quite like an actual routine. Elijah kept an eye on them at all times while he flicked through his book. Katherine's first word was gimme— to nobody's surprise. Jeremy's was Ty— to which the hybrid still receives endless teasing about. Stefan had yet to speak but Rebekah had insisted he was just waiting for the perfect epic moment. Damon had snorted and written her an essay — which he placed in the compliments jar, that for some reason still existed, so that she'd be guaranteed to read it — on Stefan's need to be dramatic.
Klaus trotted out with Caroline giggling on his back, Kol and Bonnie trailed behind— holding hands, not to anyone's notice. The couple — but not couple couple, as Bonnie continuously insisted — sat down beside Elijah on the bench and watched Jeremy and Katherine's gymnastics routine. Klaus spun around at a human approved pave and Caroline's giggles got louder. Klaus grinned up at her joy filled face and she poked him in the nose— another habit of hers. He wrinkled it and they began a game where she'd grab for his nose and he'd wiggle away from her or knock her back lightly.
"Well isn't this just adorable," everyone froze and stared at the newcomer who held Tyler in a headlock.
"Sorry," the hybrid whispered. The Mikaelsons and company exchanged knowing glances— protect the children.
"What? Is nobody going to offer me some tea?"
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