A/N: I will be updating First Haven this weekend. Also, The Princess and the Viking and my other stories.

All mistakes are my own.

"Mom, do I have to wear this?"

Straightening out his shirt, Caroline frowned.

"Yes, you do. I think you look handsome." Kissing his cheek, she smiled when he pushed her face away.

"I'm not a baby, you know."

"Yeah, Caroline quit smothering my grandson. The kids already been scrubbed within an inch of his life!"

Rolling her eyes at both of her boys, she studied her handiwork. Pleased with how Grayson looked, she stood on her latest pair of expensive Barbie pink heels.

"And when did we buy these?" Stephen asked with a raised brow. Blushing she shrugged. You know I stress shop. That's all I did for the past two days. Expect a lot of packages in the upcoming week."

Rolling his eyes affectionately, he leaned over and pressed a kiss to the woman who was for all intents and purposes his daughter.

"How do I look?"

Studying her white form fitting dress that ended above the knee, pink heels, and hair cascading down her back, Stephen gave a nod of approval.

The man's going to combust on site…Poor sucker.

"You look beautiful. Both of you do. I would say have fun, but I can imagine this will be an awkward and tense meeting at best."

Originally, Stephen planned to stay just for a couple of days after he made sure Grayson got home safely. But then, Caroline came home and explained everything that had been going on with the re-appearance from her son's dad, and though to extend his trip. Blowing out a frustrated breath, Caroline silently agreed with her dad's assessment.

"We will see you later?"

kissing her cheek once more, he smiled.

"Yes, you will. Give Stefan my best."

Glaring she ignored Stephen's smirk.

"Dad!"

"Don't 'dad,' me. The man kept you safe. Even when he knew you would hate him, Klaus sent one of his best to keep you protected from that horrible man you married. He may be a liar, and many other things, but he kept you safe."

She couldn't argue the point. As much as she hated to admit it, Stefan became more than a bodyguard. He became her friend, and confidant when she needed someone the most. Instead of answering him, she walked over to the foyer to grab her sweater.

"Come on, baby. We have to get going."

Pacing the carpet in his living room for the umpteenth time, Klaus' family watched in amusement. Elijah pondered how Klaus having a son would change the dynamics of their family, Kol kept his hand on his pregnant wife's stomach smirking at the lambasting his brother was about to endure, and Rebekah, who just flew in from Europe was giddy at finally meeting the woman who captured her brother's heart years ago. The fact that said woman birthed their son was a plus in her eyes.

"I still can't believe it. My own brother has a son of his own? I want to know everything about him."

"As do I Rebekah, but we must let Klaus lead in this. Him and Caroline are on shaky ground enough as it is."

"I for one, am glad to see Klaus knocked off his pedestal. Even though we didn't get to interact with her much over the past month, I would have to say that I already like the girl."

Rolling her eyes at all three siblings, Bonnie glanced down at her swollen stomach.

I promise baby, mommy won't let you turn out crazy like the rest of your relatives.

Hearing a car pull up in front of the house, everyone went still except for Klaus who, paying no attention to his siblings, ran towards the door, meeting them halfway down the stairs.

"This will be interesting," Elijah spoke quietly.

Meanwhile, Caroline took a deep breath, before opening the door. Sliding out behind her, Grayson stared in awe at the very large home with giant windows, and green grass. He eyes kept straying to the green hills that were in the distance, and what looked to be stables to the right.

"Caroline," Klaus breathed, causing her to turn her head in his direction. Tightening her grip on Grayson's hand, she looked down at her little boy who glanced up at her in the new knowledge she gave him yesterday evening. Even though it killed her, she swallowed before forcing herself to let go of his hand.

"Go on, baby."

Taking a hesitant step towards the man, Grayson paused when he was right in front of him. Deciding to be on even ground, Klaus rested on his haunches allowing the boy to study his face. After several long moments, Grayson spoke.

"I'm Grayson. Mommy says that you're my daddy."

Swallowing past the lump in his throat, he nodded.

"Yes, Grayson I am."

Tilting his head in a way that was all-too familiar to Klaus, he smiled.

"I'm sorry I was away for so long. I didn't mean to be."

Shrugging, Grayson kept his gaze on the ground.

"It's okay. Mommy said you had important stuff to do."

Placing his hands-on Grayson's shoulders, he willed the boy to look at him. When he did. Klaus spoke.

"Grayson, I want you to listen to me. Never, and I mean never, will any work, or grown-up thing I do come before you. Daddy made a mistake. Do you know what that is?"

Nodding he explained. "It's like when I spill milk, and I don't mean for it to happen. Mommy says we all make mistakes, but it's okay."

Klaus beamed at his smart boy.

"That is right. We all make mistakes. But I can promise you and your mother that it won't happen again. I love you."

Smiling brightly, Grayson hugged his dad, wrapping his arms tightly around his neck.

"I love you too, daddy."

At this point, Caroline was leaning against the car tears falling down her face. She didn't realize how much her son needed to see his dad until this very moment. Granted, it wasn't her fault, but she promised herself regardless of her relationship with Klaus, Grayson would always have access to his dad. Seeing a tissue waved in front of her, she glanced up at the person handing it out before sniffling, and taking it.

"I didn't know you had a son, Caroline," Stefan spoke quietly.
"I didn't know you were working for my ex," Caroline bit back just as harshly.

Sighing, he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"I'm sorry. He wanted the best to protect you, and I am the best." Stefan replied lightly hoping to ease the tension between the two of them. Giggling, she shook her head at him.

"Just so you know Care, everything I told you was the truth. The only thing I omitted was who hired me."

Sighing, she wiped her eyes before wrapping her arms around her waist.

"I'm starting to see that."

"Why did you keep Grayson a secret?"

Breaking eye contact with Stefan, she focused instead on the happy reunion of father and son.

"I had no choice Stefan," she whispered before walking towards the duo.

Walking behind the pair, Caroline noticed how her son would not cease in catching up Klaus on his school life, favorite toys, movies, and things he liked to do. The moment they rounded a corner however, her son stopped talking his eyes wide on the group of people smiling in his direction. Instantly he moved closer to Klaus gripping his leg. Rubbing his shoulder, he glanced down at the blonde head who was looking back up at him.

"It's okay Grayson. This is your family."

While the introductions were being made, Caroline noticed the blonde woman coming towards her and she pasted on her senator's wife smile ready to defend her every action. She was pleasantly surprised however, to be met with a hug. Pulling away, the woman's eyes shone with tears.

"Hello. I know you don't know me, but my name is Rebekah. I'm-"

"Klaus' sister," Caroline finished her smile becoming warmer.

"Yes. I see my brother has told you about me."

"A long time ago. Back when, well."

Noticing the woman's need for a change of subject, Rebekah gestured to Grayson.

"Your son is beautiful. He looks like both of you."

Laughing lightly, she shook her head.

"No. He looks every bit of Klaus. I only carried him."

"And you did a wonderful job of that," Elijah interrupted, smiling at the woman.

"Hello Caroline. I'm Elijah. It's a pleasure to meet both you and my nephew. Tell me, will your step-father be joining us today?"

At first Caroline was shocked that Elijah knew about Stephan; then she realized with the business they are in she shouldn't be.

"No. It's just the two of us."

While Caroline was speaking with Elijah and Rebekah, Klaus watched in fascination as his son was talking with Bonnie, enamored with her stomach, and constantly placing his hands on her pregnant stomach.

"You made a good-looking kid, brother. Granted he won't be as gorgeous as mine, but a handsome kid, none the less." Shoving his brother, Klaus stopped when he heard his son call out to him.

"Yes, Grayson?"

"I'm hungry. Mommy said we'd eat when we got here."

Everyone chuckled at his blunt statement, and Klaus beamed that he was looking to him to fix it. Klaus eyes connected with Caroline who nodded once in his direction before returning to her conversation with his other two siblings.

You and I will chat later, love.

"You heard Grayson. Let's get some food."

"Caroline, are you still working on the food for thought campaign?"

Chewing her food, she swallowed before answering.

"Yes. It's the one initiative I will continue to work on. Once the proper time has passed, and the former Senator's affairs have been settled I will release all of my other obligations except for that."

Taking a sip of her lemonade Bonnie took all the information in.

"Maybe we could work together on the food for thought? I have several ideas that I planned to take to the board, but now that I actually know a board member I'd rather just show you."

Smiling, Caroline thought that would be a great idea.

"Thanks Bonnie. We can meet about it later, if you want."

"Sure."

Wiping his mouth with a napkin, Elijah spoke.

"I think all the charity work you do is tremendous, Caroline. I also know it to be a bit uncouth, but I want to offer my condolences on your recent loss. Senator Lockwood was a good man, I'm sure."

Stiffening at his quiet statement, Caroline only nodded before grabbing her glass and taking a long sip from it. Klaus watched the exchange, taking note of Caroline's reaction to the mention of her late husband. He saw his son narrow his eyes.

"I'm glad he can't come back."

Everyone at the table zeroed in on Grayson and his statement. They were surprised to hear such a strong emotion come from one so young. But, they also knew the child was a Mikealson. Strong emotions were just one of many traits.

"Grayson," Caroline admonished, apologizing for her son's outburst.

"Apologize, Grayson."

Narrowing his eyes, he shook his head, defiant clear in his gaze.

"No. He made you cry all the time, and I hate grandma and grandad!"

Kol smirked, Elijah raised a brow, Rebekah rolled her eyes, and Klaus shifted his gaze from his angry looking son to Caroline's flustered face.

"Grayson, look at me. Grayson," Klaus said with more force in his voice. Defiantly, the boy dropped his fork, and stared back at Klaus.

Good my boy, never back down from a stare, Klaus thought with pride.

"I love you very much. But always, and I mean always listen to your mother. We treat ladies, and moms with respect. I will be very sad if you don't show that to your mom. Now apologize."

Slumping in defeat, he nodded before apologizing to a stunned Caroline. She was too shocked to do anything but nod. Just as she was about to thank him, Klaus added, "Besides. It's okay to hate someone. There are a lot of people that I hate. The trick is not letting anyone know about it until it's convenient."

At Caroline's groan, Kol busted into laughter, with Rebekah and Bonnie following suit. Only Elijah shook his head in exasperation, and Grayson grinned hugely at his father.

While father and son became better acquainted with one another, Caroline headed to the bathroom. On the way out, she wandered the halls of the large estate, not minding in the least that she was getting lost. It was a lovely home, with expensive paintings adorning the walls. Splashes of warm colors were in various rooms, and she liked the fact that their home was like stepping back into the 18thcentury.

"It's exactly how I thought it would be."

"What is?"

Gasping, she turned around, relaxing slightly when she saw that it was Klaus. Turning back to the painting she shrugged.

"Your home. When we first met, I always thought your house would be full of art. When you told me that you were renovating this home at the time, that's what I always imagined. I was correct." Tilting her head, a bit she asked, "Where is Grayson?" Walking slowly to her, he took in her form fitting white dress, and high heels, holding back a moan at how sexy this woman looked.

"He's with my brothers, sister, and sister-in-law. They took him outside. He wanted to go up the hills, and since Kol is a big child, decided to race him."

Saying nothing, Caroline moved from the current painting she was studying to the next one. Coming to stand beside her, Klaus simply took her beauty in. it'd been a long time since he stood by her, and he was luxuriating in that.

"He's wonderful. You did a wonderful thing when you carried my son." Caroline's eyes widened when he advanced on her quickly before taking her hand.

"Thank you."

Saying nothing, she only nodded once. After several seconds, she tried pulling her hand away but was unable to. Eyes heating up in defiance, Caroline tried to pull away again, but to no avail did he let her go.

"Klaus. I appreciate you explaining to Grayson the importance of treating me with respect, but you cannot tell him that it's okay to hate. And let go of my hand!"

Talking as if she wasn't trying to yank her hand out of his firm grasp he sighed.

"Caroline. I will not tell our son what isn't true. He has a right to feel the way he does."

"He shouldn't hate anyone! He's five for goodness sake!"

"Even if that hate is justified? Even if that bastard Tyler and his horrible parents treated you harshly? Kids pick up on parents, and their unhappiness. Trust me, I am a result of that. It's good that he knows it doesn't matter because we as his parents love him, and so does his family. Nothing is going to change that."

She could see his point, but she didn't want her little boy thinking strategically. She wanted him to just be a kid.

"If I thought he would be sullied in any way I wouldn't have agreed to bring him back here."

Snarling, Klaus yanked her closer, ignoring her gasp.

"You think you can threaten me with him?"

"It's not a threat. It's a guarantee. Leave Grayson to be a child. I went through, and suffered so much for that boy to have a normal life."

Studying her flushed face, Klaus could see beyond the anger, the fear, and vulnerability that Caroline tried to hide.

"You think I would ruin that?" Klaus asked, hurt clear in his voice.

"I don't think it would be intentional, but I do think your dark world would rub off onto him. I mean I-"

Caroline stopped herself before she continued. He couldn't know. He couldn't know that she remained silent on a lot of things about him for his protection.

It was one of the reasons why she had to keep her baby safe, and away from everything.

Klaus could see that she was hiding something, and he was frustrated that she wouldn't elaborate.

"Caroline. what did you mean to say?"

Shaking her head, she forced a brittle smile.

"Nothing, Klaus. Nothing that concerns you. Please let me go."

Shaking her slightly, he shook his head.

"No."

Before he could comprehend it, Caroline Stepped on his foot with the end of her pointed high heel. He groaned in pain, but gave just enough leave for her to step out of his embrace. However, when she thought she had the upper hand, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her body against his own again. Pushing against him, she became even more enraged when he lifted her off the ground as if she weighed nothing. She could see the muscles in his arms straining, and it took everything within her to not fall into that category again.

Damn. This man and his arms.

"Let me go, Klaus! I mean it!" hitting his chest, she wrapped her hands around his neck, smirking when his eyes widened in shock. Releasing her abruptly, he watched her struggle on her heels, taking the advantage and pushing her body so she was against the wall. When he tried to speak she slapped him across the face. Hard.

Eyes glistening in both delight and anger, he growled low under his breath.

"You will stop this, Caroline."

Raising a brow, she lifted her hand to slap him again when he grabbed her wrist faster than a snake. Gasping, she used her other free hand to grip his hair, pulling back harshly, which forced him to shout.

"Fuck!"

Releasing her wrist, she quickly wrapped both hands around his neck, ready to squeeze the life out of him. Eyes welling in tears, she shouted at him.

"I hate you! I hate you so much for leaving me, and forcing me to face those people alone! I hate you and I wish you'd never come back into my life!"

Squeezing harder, Caroline dimly noticed that Klaus wasn't fighting her back. He was only standing there, letting her squeeze his neck. Rasping out he nodded slightly.

"If you need to kill me so that you get the peace you need, then do it. Fucking end me, Caroline."

"Fuck you!" she shouted.

She tried, but Caroline couldn't force her hands to tighten any further. Releasing her hold, a bit she caught sight of her red hands resting against his neck. Tears running down her face she pulled back as if she was burned. Meanwhile Klaus watched her as air slowly returned to him.

"You can't. You can't kill me anymore than I can get you out of my mind. I'm sorry for hurting you, and yes, I fucked up, but Caroline I love you. I love you, and our son. That's not going to change. I will show you that I'm here to stay. Forever."

Taking a step back, Caroline shook her head.

"I don't love you. Not anymore."

Pushing her further back against the door, he forced her chin up.

"Look me in the eyes, and say it again. Say you don't love me. say it, and I will leave you alone. I can promise you that."

Looking up, Caroline said the words quickly.

"I don't love you," she said inwardly cursing the hitch in her voice that gave her away. Leaning into her body he kissed her ear before whispering, "liar." Stepping back, Caroline turned and hurried out of the room, trying to forget how even in her anger how good it felt for him to hold her.

Leave me a review! Oh, and don't forget I uploaded chapter three if you didn't know already.