Chapter 7(Enjoy chapter 7!)

It was Sunday afternoon and the second part of Hope's birthday party, Elijah was on the grill and Haley was on face painting duty. Klaus walks up behind her.

"Can I go next?"

All the kids begin to pout and moan.

"Dad you have to wait in line like everyone, stop embarrassing her".

"Yeah dad! What mom said!"

"Hope hold still honey,...and there, your vampire fangs".

"Fine, run along". Klaus smiles at his little girl and her ironic face paint.

"You know Haley, you could have just compelled someone to do this thing you call artwork." She shakes her head.

"Why don't you join Picasso, I'm pretty sure it's just like an easel."

"Seems a little too advanced for my taste."

He comes into her view, as she paints the last child.

" Compulsion is perfectly fine for someone with Elijah's difficulties," he smells the air, "Mmm the exquisite taste of searing beef."

She smiles and continues to paint.

" I enjoy this…..it helps me feel normal. Why go to Disney world if your father can bring it to you, right in your own backyard! She is so spoiled."

"Well she's like her mother,one of a kind, beautiful , an heir to the throne, she shall be treated as such".

"You think she's so innocent and delicate, just wait till she brings home a badboy, maybe a "you", right to our doorstep."

"You're making the wildly assumption they'd even make it that far."

Haley smiles.

"Besides," Klaus continues, "She won't just inherit the royal bloodline, I suppose the temperamental issues will come with it as well."

"Your's or mines?"

.

Klaus smiles for the first time in the past three days. Him and Haley seemed to getting back on track. He never wanted to argue with her, it just seemed like it just came with the territory.

He turns to see Vincent helping a struggling Elijah. His hand's cover his as he flips another burned patty.

"So how have you been?" Her question turns his attention back to him.

"Oh, we're back to friends now?"

"I know we've been at each other's throat for the past weeks, and I also know I have myself too to blame for that."

"It's great that you can finally admit that."

"Arrogant much?"

He hunches his shoulders.

"Anyway, I know you've been off lately Klaus, I can tell something is bothering you even if you can't admit it, I know you don't want to talk to me or Elijah so I was thinking maybe you could talk to her."

Out of the crowd of children he see's Cami.

"Haley I-"

"Ah ah ah, you can't run away now, she already spotted you".

"Hey guy's nice party!" Camille yells over the sound of screaming children. She smiles and sets her gift down.

"Can we talk?" She asked.

"Don't mind me i'm just finishing up here." Haley stands up,and walks off to wash her messy hands from the paint.

"How've you been?"

"Couldn't be better".

"You mind if we go somewhere less noisy?"

"Sure".

He leads her onto the balcony, giving them an view over the backyards festivities.

"So let me ask my question again. "How are you?"

"Like I've stated earlier I'm fine."

He leans over the banister and looks towards the yard..

"Are you sure because-"

"Look Camille, it's a party. Did you come here to play therapist or enjoy the festivities. Hope is the center of attention today, and I won't have that shifted . You made it very certain two weeks ago that you wanted nothing."

"Klaus just because we're not intimates doesn't mean…. we can't be friends." Her expression softens.

"I'm afraid we've passed the point of no return Camille," he comes face to face with her, closing the distance in between the two.

"Once a rose blooms its unique, profusion and timing cannot be replicated nor can it be reversed," he turns his back on her, " Though it's difficult to say, I've moved on and that also includes your therapeutic services.."

There's silence between the two, the only sound comes from the backyard, Children, laughter and happiness, a direct contrast to setting here.

"Klaus I-"

Her words fade into the backround.

He peeks back out into the yard and has to double take. The boy, the child, he was here at Hope's birthday party. He was standing at her side conversating.

"Enjoy the rest of the party." He moves quickly and she follows.

"But Klaus..-

He runs downstairs hoping to catch the boy.

He sees hope and admittedly grabs her up.

Haley, Elijah and Freya turn in horror.

"Whats wrong?" They all say in unison.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Her small voice catches his attention.

"Nothing sweetheart just an observation. Who was that boy you were speaking to a moment ago."He soothingly brushes her hair.

"Oh him, just a friend. That's Ezra."