Well guys, the end is nigh! This is chapter 9 of my story and the next chapter will be the epilogue. I will have it up by this time next week :) Thanks for all the reviews and follows. I hope that this chapter will live up to your expectations, I am quite proud of it. If you have the time, please drop a review for this chapter. Happy reading!
It was obvious that Caroline was nervous. As soon as they had left her apartment and climbed into a taxi, suitcases and bags in hand, Caroline had been continuously drumming her fingers. On her lap in the taxi, on the arm to her chair in the departures lounge of the airport, on the desk where a flight attendant monitored passengers as she compelled her way onto the plane and finally the armrest to her seat on the plane as she stared blankly at the backrest of the seat in front of her. Ella had reached the end of her patience for the continuous noise long ago and sat with her iPod on and flipping idly through a magazine, head bopping to the music. Lily had managed to last much longer but had now reached the end of her tether.
"There's no need to be nervous, Caroline." She said as she turned the page in the novel she was attempting to read but getting distracted from by Caroline's incessant fingers.
Caroline twisted in her seat to face Lily scoffing slightly.
"I'm not nervous," she bluffed, wincing at how high pitched her voice sounded, "I just don't like the middle seat on the plane."
"So swap with me then and have the window." Lily said kindly knowing that Caroline would refuse anyway.
"Oh no, don't worry. There's only three more hours left." Caroline insisted.
Lily shrugged her shoulders returning to her book. She had just reached the part where Darcy was making his terrible marriage proposal to Elizabeth when Caroline's fingers took up their relentless drumming once more. Sighing, Lily closed her book and thanked her lucky stars for having watched the film first and therefore she knew how the book would end. That would have to do for her essay, she thought.
"Caroline, you really don't need to be nervous so stop worrying." Lily said.
Caroline shot her a dirty look.
"Yeah, no need to be nervous about seeing a man for the first time in nearly twenty years. Not to mention having broken said man's heart by telling him flat out that there isn't a chance for him. And let's not forget that said man is a hybrid and could rip my heart out in a single blink."
As Caroline was speaking, her finger drumming increased to supernatural speed and Lily was forced to clamp her hand between her own before other passengers noticed her rising hysteria.
"He won't kill you." Lily said firmly.
"You don't know that." Caroline argued.
"Yes I do. He loves you. He would never kill you." Lily's confidence in her father and his love for Caroline was unshakeable.
"How do you know that...that he loves me?" Caroline asked uncertainly.
Lily flashed back to all the different times her father had spoken of Caroline. He had told her that she was strong and beautiful but riddled with insecurities. Each time he had spoken of her, it had been with such tenderness it had rendered Lily almost speechless. She wasn't the typical child who at a young age had tried to get her parents back together. No, Lily was the girl who had always wished for her father's happiness and, as a very small child, had secretly wished for the majestic Caroline to sweep in and fill the place a mother should in her small family. Hayley had never been particularly maternal with Lily. She had loved her in her own way but had been too young to cope with the responsibility of a child hence why Lily had been raised by Klaus and his siblings. With Hayley's death, the need for a strong family unit had intensified. She knew Caroline would never be her mother but she did want her family complete again and knew that Caroline was the only way of doing this. She wanted Caroline as a real part of her family no matter what form it took and not just as the image her father had created.
For Lily, it was painstakingly obvious that Klaus loved Caroline. She hadn't thought for a second that perhaps it wasn't as clear to Caroline herself.
"I just do. Trust me." Lily said with a broad smile.
Caroline sighed a little before squeezing the hand Lily still had encased within hers and settled back into her seat, eyes fluttering closed.
Although it felt strange not having complete control over the situation, Caroline would just have to take a chance and put her trust in Lily.
This was going to be a long flight.
xoxoxo
Lily and Ella fought their way through the crowded and busy airport once they had landed in New Orleans, dragging their suitcases behind them. Caroline was still waiting at the luggage carousel for her suitcase which had been a last minute addition to the flight promising to meet them outside.
Lily took in a lungful of Louisiana air as they finally made their way to the pick-up point, grateful to be home. She loved New York and travelling but she was always happy to come home to New Orleans and the comfort of her own bed. She looked around idly for Elena grinning when she spotted her walking towards them waving and smiling.
"Hey, Elena!" Lily said when she stopped in front of them.
Elena looked around and her happy smile faltered upon discovering Caroline was not there.
"Caroline didn't want to come, I take it?" Elena questioned sadly, a frown marring her features.
Before Lily could open her mouth a flurry of blonde hair and irritation pulled up behind them.
"-such an incompetent airline. Seriously, how long does it take to find one suitcase and get it to the owner? Idiots." Caroline was growling as she found the others. She fell silent as she saw Elena.
Elena and Caroline just stood staring at each other, shock on both of their faces. Suddenly, Elena leapt forward and threw her arms around Caroline pulling her into a bone-crushing hug and burying her face in her neck.
"Oh, Caroline! I thought you weren't coming. I missed you so much." Elena was sobbing.
Caroline was stunned at Elena's reaction. They hadn't parted on good terms after the Elijah debacle and she hadn't even realised that Elena was in New Orleans although, in hindsight, she probably should have known.
Caroline stood still for a moment locked in Elena's embrace. Slowly, she put her own arms around the other girl and hugged her back, squeezing her eyes tightly shut against the tears that threatened to fall.
"I missed you too." Caroline whispered brokenly.
Lily and Ella smiled at the blonde and brunette vampires embracing, almost a mirror image of themselves during the bad times.
As Caroline and Elena withdrew from each other, smiling and laughing with tears in their eyes, Lily knew that what Stefan had told her all those years ago when she asked if he thought Caroline would ever forgive him was true.
The strongest friendships can overcome any obstacle.
xoxoxo
Lily's birthday ball finally came a week after Caroline had arrived in New Orleans and had been eagerly anticipated by the birthday girl. Finally, the day had arrived to reunite Klaus and Caroline or Klaroline as Ella had begun to call them, much to Caroline's chagrin.
For the entire week, Caroline had been staying with Ella and her mother. Sophie had proven to be a lovely hostess and was almost as eager for Klaus and Caroline to meet as Lily and Ella were. She felt that she owed Klaus after all he had provided in getting rid of Marcel and allowing witches to practice their magic again. And she loved Caroline. She was gracious and kind and had an infectious smile. Sophie couldn't help but think she was the perfect match for Klaus and his darkness.
Lily patted down the sides to her dress and took one more look at herself in the mirror. She was quite pleased with the dress and made a mental note to thank Caroline again for choosing it. She was just about to reach for her mask when a voice startled her from the doorway and made her turn around.
"Indulge your old man in a dance before the party begins?" Klaus said extending a hand towards his daughter.
Lily smiled at him.
"Emphasis on the old." She said cheekily before placing her hand in his.
They gently swayed to the music that was drifting from the speakers in Lily's bedroom. Klaus spun Lily around making her giggle like she used to when she had danced on his feet as a little girl.
"You look lovely, Lily." Klaus murmured affectionately.
"Thanks, Dad. And thanks for throwing this ball for me. It's going to be wonderful." Lily said earnestly, her mind not exactly focussed on the ball itself but rather a certain someone who would be attending it.
"Of course, sweetheart. You know, this is probably the last time we will get to dance together. After all, you're off to university soon."
Lily grimaced.
"Only if I pass my exams and get accepted, Dad. Besides that's not going to happen for another few months yet."
"Have you thought about which one you want to go to? I'm sure we could get you into Oxford or Cambridge or even an Ivy League school."
"Not really. I just want to enjoy this last year at home before I move away so I haven't given it much thought. I want to spend time with you, Elijah and Bekah. And Stefan and Elena." And Caroline, Lily added mentally to the list of her family.
"Excellent choice. I will miss you when you're gone. When I first found out your mother was carrying you, I wanted to kill you both. But when you were born and you looked at me with those big eyes, I was so thankful I didn't follow through with that threat. You are truly the best thing that has ever happened to me Lily." Klaus said sincerely even though he did look uncomfortable expressing his feelings.
Lily hugged him tightly to her a few tears in her eyes before pulling back with a smile on her face.
"Come on, Dad. Don't get all sentimental on me now. It's supposed to be a party!" She said enthusiastically.
"Indeed it is, sweetheart, but I thought you should know that before you go gallivanting off leaving your old man behind." Klaus said gruffly.
"I will always come back, you know? Home is wherever you are." Lily said with a broad smile.
Klaus cleared his throat and straightened up in his tuxedo. Clearly he had had enough of this heart to heart for one night.
"Yes, well. I shall find you later for the obligatory dance Rebekah has no doubt got in mind for us. Right now I need a drink."
Klaus paced out of the room abruptly leaving a smiling Lily behind. She was used to her father's mood swings by now and knew that it would be best to avoid him for a little while so he could get his emotions hidden once more. God knows how he would react when he saw Caroline again. He would probably greet her with boundless joy or complete neutrality. She hoped it was the former. Knowing Caroline, the latter would cause her to become a puddle of insecurity and anger hidden carefully behind a megawatt smile and a flip of her blonde curls which would only rile her father up more.
Lily sighed, hoping that her dad didn't act like a complete arse tonight and slipped on her beaded mask and tied it securely behind her head. Taking a deep breath and one last look in the mirror, she turned around and made her descent down the staircase to where her guests were waiting.
xoxoxo
Lily waited agonisingly for Ella, Sophie and Caroline to arrive. Every time she looked at her phone for the time only a few minutes had passed and she was anxious for them to get to the Mikaelson home. Finally, she caught a glimpse of Ella and Sophie as they entered the party and she hurried over to greet them.
"Hey, where is she?" Lily asked anxiously as she drew up beside them. She caught a glimpse of Rebekah and Stefan laughing and dancing together as she got to them and Elijah and Elena looking deep in pleasant conversation. Klaus was nowhere to be seen.
"Relax, Lil. She's right behind us." Ella said.
Lily scurried past them and outside the house where some guests were milling around. Her eyes caught Caroline standing slightly off to the side nibbling her lip nervously.
She was a vision in her red dress. It was sleeveless and matched the vibrant scarlet she had painted her lips. The bodice was tight and clung almost dangerously low on her chest. The chiffon flowed out at the bottom of the bodice to form a billowing skirt that wasn't too full. It was classy and elegant, perfect for the occasion but not over the top. Her soft blonde curls were pulled into a loose bun at the back of head with a few tendrils framing her face.
"Wow, you look amazing." Lily said sincerely.
"Thanks." Caroline smiled. Her hands clung to her mask as she brought it up to tie it behind her head. When it was secure she took a deep breath and turned to Lily, her ice blue dress the polar opposite to Caroline's fiery red and smiled.
"Let's do this."
Lily smiled back and led her through the foyer of the large house. She was nervous. She knew her father would be pleased to see Caroline but she wasn't sure how he would react to her after all this time. She hoped he would do the right thing and not hurt Caroline. Although they had only known each other a short time, Lily cared about her and didn't want her to get hurt.
It was a blur of tuxedos and brightly coloured dresses to Caroline as she followed Lily across the expansive dance floor. Clearly this room was for entertaining guests and holding parties only for it was large and mostly empty aside from the many dancing couples and teenagers. She wasn't sure why she was preoccupied with what the room's purpose was but figured it was to try and distract herself. Lily expertly weaved through the crowd until they reached the other side of the room and there he was.
Caroline inhaled sharply at the sight of him. He looked exactly the same but even more handsome in his pitch black tuxedo. He had made the effort to gel down his hair a little so it sat neatly and precise on his head, no longer unruly like him. He was smiling and even though his eyes were slightly hidden by the simple black Colombina mask that adorned his face, Caroline knew his eyes would be sparkling. She longed to see them and feel their searing gaze. He turned away from the person he had been conversing with and lazily glanced across the room, his eyes resting on Caroline.
Her heart thundered in her chest as she caught his gaze and saw how his eyes widened at the sight of her. Dimly, she saw Lily slipping away from them but she was frozen to the spot. He continued to stare at her almost to the point of discomfort but then suddenly he was in front of her, ripping his mask off before reaching for her own and tearing hers off too. He stood drinking in her beautiful features as her eyes darted between the two of his.
The silence was so unbearable Caroline knew she would have to break it.
"Hello." She said softly for lack of anything better to say.
Klaus closed his eyes momentarily at the sound of her voice. A barely there smile appeared on his lips and he cocked his head slightly nearer to her, as if listening to beautiful music. His eyes fluttered open again and they were soft and warm as he looked at her.
"Hello, love."
Caroline squeezed her eyes shut. She had spent so long dreaming about his voice it was almost painful to actually listen to it in real life. Her eyes flew open again as she felt him move closer to her, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She could feel the heat of his body flood through her sheer dress causing her to blush.
Klaus held out his hand to her.
"Will you do me the honour of dancing with me?" He asked gently.
Caroline smiled.
"It would be my pleasure."
She watched as his chest puffed out with pride at having her on his arm, the warmness in his eyes as she finally accepted him. It made her heart soar.
They danced slowly with each other, eyes never leaving the others. Caroline chuckled and Klaus rolled his eyes when they heard Ella's whisper of how much eye sex they were having. But the happy moment couldn't last forever.
"Why are you here, Caroline?" Klaus asked warily. He had dreamed of this day but he couldn't help thinking that this was all some ruse that was going to trick him.
"Lily found me in New York and persuaded me to come and see you."
Klaus smiled. So this was what had inspired his daughter to go to New York so suddenly. He should have known it was more than shopping.
"She is beautiful, Klaus. You've done so well in raising her." Caroline said sincerely.
"Thank you. I'm very proud of her."
They danced a little more in silence before Klaus broke it again.
"I have dreamed of this, of seeing you again and holding you in my arms. I gave up hope after a while. I forced myself to accept what you said to me all those years ago, that we would never be together." Klaus said softly averting his gaze from Caroline's blue orbs.
Caroline bit her lip softly with regret in an attempt to stop the sobs longing to break free. Now that she had seen him again she had realised how much she had missed having him around and could kick herself for leaving it for so long before finding him.
"I was wrong. When I said those things, I was hurt and angry. I thought that the only person who had ever put me first had chosen someone else and had enough of me. So I lashed out by pushing you further away and trying to run away from my feelings. But I'm tired of running, Klaus."
Klaus looked down at her, transfixed. He had longed for Caroline to speak these words. Could his fantasies finally be coming true?
"I'm sorry for rejecting you and saying the things that made you lose faith in us, what we could have had. I was young and stupid and easily manipulated. I was wrong to do the terrible things I did to you, using your feelings for me against you. I guess I've always known how I really feel about you and it scares me."
Klaus's eyes drifted down to her ruby red lips as the words she had held back for years came flooding out.
"Everything about you, about us, is so uncertain. I don't know what to expect when I'm with you and it excites me and frustrates me and scares me to death. And although I am uncertain about what the future holds for us, I am certain about my feelings for you and I can't run away from these feelings anymore. I want you, Klaus. I want to be with you no matter what that entails. I want to fall asleep next to you every night and wake up next to you every morning. I can't live anymore without you by my side. So, if you can forgive me and if you'll have me...I promise to always be yours."
Caroline looked up to take in his reaction her eyes clouded with emotion. He could see fear and anxiety but he could also see something else. Love.
Yours. Yours. Yours. Always be yours. Yours. Yours. Yours.
The words rang in his ears as he gazed into her sky blue eyes. He leaned down and kissed her full, pretty red mouth hard and passionately. He could feel her smile beneath his lips.
He pulled back to look at her once more.
"I've waited forever for you, Caroline Forbes. Now that you're mine, I will never let you go." He whispered before kissing her hard again.
He caught Lily tearfully smiling at them and he grinned at her. He had never been this happy before in his entire existence.
Caroline's voice brought his attention back to her.
"You'll be mine too, right?" She asked uncertainly.
He smiled at her insecurity and was more than ready to reassure her.
"I have always been yours, Caroline."
Later, Caroline would talk to Stefan and mend the wounds in their friendship. She would chat to Rebekah and they would form a begrudging acceptance of each other which would later turn to the purest of friendships. She would get to know Elijah and gush about how perfect he and Elena were together. She would pull Lily into a hug and whisper a fervent thank you in her ear.
Klaus would explain to his siblings that they would be seeing a lot more of Caroline. He would smile genuinely for the first time in years and he would re-establish the bond he had had with Stefan during the Twenties. He would dance the obligatory dance Rebekah had set up for him and his daughter and he would gently scold his daughter for meddling whilst grinning infectiously.
But that would all happen later.
Presently, the lovers were enjoying their first embrace, knowing that that they had an eternity together to look forward to.
