Even though this IS a Rebekah/Enzo romance, it will still be heavy on the Klebekah because I can't help myself. You've been warned. ;)
Rebekah walked into her bedroom to find it almost exactly as she left it. The curtains were open, allowing light to stream in as the sun was beginning to set. In the middle of her bed, was a dress bag and a shoe box.
Sitting on top of the box, was an envelope with her name scrawled in handwriting she recognized as Klaus' calligraphy.
Rebekah,
Godmothers should always dress as magnificently as they do in fairy tales.
Nik
She shook her head as she unzipped the bag to reveal the garment underneath. It was a gorgeous soft and flowly fabric, a light ivory color with capped sleeves and golden threads weaved throughout it.
The shoes were gold to match. She recognized the label on the box lid as an exclusive brand.
She dressed and stood before the mirror. Why did she feel so nervous? She still couldn't shake the odd look in Klaus' eyes and his demeanor. Not to mention, she was already dreading having to defend Enzo to hell and back tomorrow. He was the first good thing in her life in a while and she would not let Nik spoil it.
"Well don't you look stunning?"
She recognized the voice coming from behind her and her eyes widened.
Damn it.
"Marcel," she turned "You startled me."
"And you still take my breath away," he walked closer to her.
They had left each other on good terms. Great terms she supposed. He had kissed her goodbye but once again, as always, he never offered to go with her. As much as she cared for Marcel, she could no longer pretend that he was enough. She would be a liar to say she never thought of the house plans he drew up for her or the life she had wanted with him, but she knew now it was impossible. He would always have a place in the her heart but she would no longer allow him to own it.
"Marcel, I," she moved backwards ever so slightly, afraid that he might try to wrap his arms around her and even more afraid that she might let him.
"What?" he furrowed his brow "Not happy to see me?"
"No, no I am, it's just that..."
"Well isn't this...awkward to say the least."
They both turned to find Klaus standing in the doorway. A pleased smirk on his lips. He was going to have a little fun with them.
"Awkward?" Marcel glanced between them confused.
"Oh yes, very," Klaus moved into the room "You see my darling sister has brought a date to Hope's birthday celebration. Rather charming, bloke. I hope that doesn't upset you Marcellus."
Rebekah closed her eyes tightly and then opened them just as fast so she could gauge Marcel's reaction. He glanced back over at her and she could tell he was trying to keep his face composed.
"A date?...Good for you," he nodded, then moved toward the door "See you two at the party."
Klaus watched him go, visibly pleased that he could ward off Marcel so easily. Although he had long ago forgiven them both, he would never feel comfortable seeing them openly show displays of affection for one another. Rebekah was never Marcel's to take, that he had always made clear. Even when he had agreed to allow their relationship, it was only because of his fear of losing them. Rebekah mostly.
"Tucking his tail between his legs and scurrying out the door," Klaus grinned satisfied.
"Can't you keep your bloody mouth shut!" Rebekah spat at him, after Marcel closed the door behind him.
"What?" Klaus raised a playful eyebrow "I was simply telling the truth. I'm trying to be more honest."
"Are you now?" she crossed her arms across her chest with amusement "Next you'll be telling me you're being considered for sainthood by the church."
He let out a hearty laugh and it made her feel a little better to see him more relaxed than earlier, despite the fact that he had created yet another problem for her to sort out later.
"Thank you for the dress," she turned back to the mirror to look at her reflection "It's beautiful."
"It would have looked better on you if you hadn't gone and cut your bloody hair up to your chin," Klaus sat on the edge of her bed and she could see his disapproval in the reflection.
"That's not all I did," she reached down and raised her dress so he could see her ankle.
Just above the strap of her ridiculously expensive gold stiletto were three words in delicate script inked onto her fair skin.
"Always..." Klaus began.
"And forever," she finished for him "I realized that no matter where I go, what I do, I will always and forever be tied to that promise. Might as well brand myself with it for all of eternity."
"Who do you think you're fooling, Rebekah?" he stood so that he was beside her in front of the mirror.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she rolled her eyes as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"You miss this family, you miss your home."
"Hardly," she moved away from him to grab a pair of earrings on the dresser "I was feeling adventurous...and nostalgic. That is all."
"Hm," Klaus circled her for a moment, before sitting back down on the bed.
"Lorenzo is a good man, Nik," she said after a long silence as she applied some eye shadow"I know you think I have horrid taste in men but you might be surprised by this one."
"Perhaps I should have betrothed you years ago to a man of my choosing," he offered up "Then we wouldn't have to go through this endless parade of peasants and stable boys and waiters and...What does this one do anyway?"
Rebekah leaned toward the mirror, opened a tube of pink lip stick and let out an exasperated sigh.
"If you were to have chosen whom my hand was promised to, I would still be as I am now. Unmarried."
"Father would have had you married off at fourteen if not for Elijah's protests," Klaus reminded her.
A boy in the village, an excellent marksman and a few years older than her, she remembered him well. He had honey colored hair and dark gray eyes. His father had met with Mikael on several occasions to discuss an arrangement. The boy had seemed all too eager. Rebekah was, after all, the most beautiful girl in the village. Klaus had wanted to protest himself but fearing Mikael's rage he allowed Elijah to do the speaking for them. He had somehow managed to dissuade their father.
Rebekah had feared the boy. He had no life to him, no joy. She cried every night, afraid he would come for her. They would often comfort her.
The man was not fit for their sister and Elijah made sure to protect her. Although the siblings had no idea how Elijah had managed to stop the betrothal, even after all these years.
"Never the less, we will discuss this at length tomorrow," Klaus finally stood to go.
"Might I remind you, this is my life. The life you freely told me to go live," she turned to him.
"You do look like something from a fairy tale," he marveled at her for a moment, humor dancing across his lips as he changed the subject; she knew he meant the compliment none the less.
"The party starts in twenty minutes," Klaus headed toward the door "Do try to make sure that Lorenzo behaves himself, will you? I'd hate to have to off your date before we cut the birthday cake."
Rebekah headed down the corridor minutes later, fidgeting with the low neckline of her dress and trying desperately to sort her thoughts. Lorenzo. Marcel. Nik. Elijah. Kol. She had her hands full. Not to mention she would get to see her sweet niece.
Poor Hayley. Her heart truly did ache for the wolf girl. They had become friends. She had welcomed Hayley into her family and now Klaus treated her as nothing but a stranger. Less than that. An enemy. She made a mental note to make sure she met with Freya before she left town. She didn't care if Klaus liked it or not.
"Watch where you're going sister," Kol's voice pulled her from her thoughts as she crashed into him and he braced her shoulders between his hands firmly.
"Move, Kol," she sighed.
He continued to block her path.
"Are you dreading this drivel tonight as much as I am?" he rolled his eyes, finally letting her go.
She crossed her arms across her chest and glared at him. She wanted to get to Lorenzo. She wanted to cuddle her niece and wish her happy birthday.
"This Enzo, Lorenzo...whatever his bloody name is," Kol turned to straighten his bow tie in a mirror in the hallway "I feel like I've met him before."
"You do?"
Rebekah was aching to know more about Lorenzo's past. She didn't know how long he had been a vampire, where he had lived, she literally knew nothing other than he had spent time in Mystic Falls.
"Can't quite place him," Kol turned back to her "Probably some nobody..."
Rebekah looked at him smugly. Two could play this game.
"And who is your date for this evening? Don't tell me you've gotten Davina Claire to accept an invitation from you?"
Davina had been less than pleased when Kol returned in his vampire body. Since she had accepted the role as regent of the witches, dealings with vampires were forbidden. She insisted that her feelings had changed. She said Kol had gone back to his violent, wicked ways and she wanted no part of it. Elijah had told Rebekah that Kol still longed to earn her trust but she constantly turned him away when he tried to visit.
Kol's face fell and she saw the fire in his eyes. She had rather enjoyed the sweet, more sensitive Kol she had gotten to know when he was in Kaleb's body but this Kol she knew better. She knew him very well.
"Davina Claire is none of your concern, Bex."
"Lorenzo is none of yours."
"I'd be careful what I said sister, I'm not in a good mood having to go to this ridiculous party and I just might have a little fun with your date."
Rebekah gritted her teeth and stepped closer to her brother.
"If you touch one hair on his head Kol, you will regret it. Not to mention this is Hope's birthday. Don't ruin it by acting like a barbarian."
Even though their bond had been strengthened with his resurrection, she was not going to let Kol of all people get in the way of her new relationship or ruin their niece's night.
"You know, you do look stunning in that dress," Kol smiled smugly at her, his lips pressed together "I do hope you're able to keep it in pristine condition tonight."
"What are you talking about?" she was growing even more annoyed by the minute.
"Nothing, its just this is a Mikaelson party. And you know what they say about this family?"
"Kol," she sighed, done with his games.
"What's a party without a little fun? I promise to leave everyone breathing." Kol winked at her before leaving her alone in the corridor.
She sighed and leaned against the wall, resting her head in her hands. What was he hinting at? What could possibly happen at a one year old's birthday party? Mikaelson or no? His words and Klaus' demeanor coupled together caused a knot to form in her gut.
This was precisely why she needed her freedom. This was exactly why she only came home on rare occasions. This family drove her mad beyond any distraction. A tattoo on her ankle and a weekly phone call were the only connections she needed to them when there wasn't a crisis involved.
"Your brother is right, you are stunning."
She looked up to see Lorenzo. He was dressed in one of the suits she had bought him in Vegas. Her favorite one. It was gray and fit in all the right places. He looked absolutely handsome. She had longed to see him ever since Anna had spirited him away. She was glad to see he was still in one piece.
"Am I?" she smiled sweetly at him, trying to push all of the drama from her mind.
He walked toward her and cupped her face with one of his hands, rubbing his thumb along her cheek bone.
"I have never seen someone so beautiful."
Rebekah desperately wanted him to kiss her then. They had waited long enough. If she were to get through this night, it might be just the push she needed. He pulled his hand away though and offered her his arm instead.
"I would be honored to escort you...downstairs," he finished with a playful smile.
She looped her arm through his and the two of them made their way down the staircase, descending into the fairy land below.
She hoped Kol's words didn't ring true tonight but she couldn't quite shake the fact that something was amiss in the Mikaelson home.