Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed! I'm not sure how well the edit is how this chapter, I've been having an off day. But I wanted to update. Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing! Your feedback is much enjoyed! Let me know what you think of this chapter!

Thank you to:

glevez25, Klaus'lovely, jessinicole, guest. xxvampiresgreatesweakessxx, Caroline121, TVDalwaysn4ever, walkinginthegardengnome, Rachel69746, BlueBoxAngel, Aaaammmber, TheirishShipperholic, ladyluck25, Grace5231973, guest, bluejean452, April420, jojo7, & Draco-harry-lover-1!

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Enjoy!

Chapter 9 The Museum

Klaus parked his car outside Caroline's house. He shut it off and then opened the door and sauntered up the stairs to her door. He rang the doorbell and was surprised when it opened immediately to reveal Caroline smiling sweetly at him.

"Are you ready to go?" Klaus asked as Caroline moved away from the door and he brushed past her. He couldn't ignore the electric shock that coursed through him when his shoulder brushed hers.

"Yep we are. Let me just grab Will and my bag and we'll be off." Caroline said her manner chipper.

Klaus smiled and moved into the living room knowing Caroline usually took awhile to get ready.

"Nik!" Will gushed excitedly.

Klaus smiled at the young boy and opened his arms for a hug.

"How are you today, Will?" Klaus asked as he spun him around making Will giggle.

"Great! We're going to the art museum and I get to miss school!" Will said smiling.

"I'm excited as well! I can show you all my favorite artists and I then we can go out for dinner." Klaus said smirking at him.

Will grinned toothily as Caroline walked back into the room a large purse slung over her shoulder.

"Alright lets go." She said taking Will's hand as Klaus took the other one. Caroline smiled shyly over at Klaus above Will's head. Klaus grinned back as they walked out the front door of the Forbes residence and towards Klaus car.

The three-some walked to the car and Caroline opened the back door for Will to get in. Then she got into the front and Klaus started the car so they could begin the long drive to Richmond.

Caroline played games with Will while Klaus drove trying to entertain the six year old during the long car ride. Klaus joined in after awhile and they laughed during the drive. Finally they pulled into the museum parking lot and they got out of the car. They paid for their tickets and then grabbed a map to decide what to go see first.

"Nik's going to be our tour guide today, baby. So if you have any questions ask him." Caroline said holding her son's hand as they began to walk to the impressionism exhibit.

"Really? You know that much about art?" Will asked excitedly.

"I do, actually and hopefully soon I'll get to show you my work." Klaus said smiling down at the boy.

Will eyes widened in surprise and eagerness. "That's so cool! I've never known an artist before!"

The three-some walked into the exhibit and Klaus pointed out all of the pictures he knew. Which was all of them since his favorite type of art was impressionist. Finally them came to the near end of the exhibit.

"And over here are the contemporary painters." Klaus said guiding them to the next room.

"What's contemporary mean?" Will asked holding Caroline's hand as they walked through the archway, Klaus leading them.

"It's the newer artists, most of these are people who are still alive. It's new actually. They were accepting all types of impressionist art from artists all over the country." Klaus explained. He looked over at Caroline as she took in the different paintings. She stopped suddenly when she saw a familiar face.

"Nik…" Caroline whispered stepping closer to the painting. She reached out with her hand to touch the piece, but stopped remembering where she was. She looked over her shoulder at him conflicted by how she was feeling. A various amount of emotions ran through her. Anger. Sadness. Longing. And love.

She stared at him taking in his ridged appearance. His hands were in his pockets and he looked uncertain waiting for her response.

"Is that mommy?" Will asked coming to stand beside his mother. He had been looking at a painting a couple pieces over but when he saw his mother's face he was curious to go look. The painting was of a blonde woman smiling softly and looking over the pond in the Mikaelson's backyard. She was holding a book and was dressed in a white gown. Caroline recognized the dress immediately. It was her prom dress. She was surprised at how vulnerable and sad it was making her to look at this particular picture. She was overwhelmed at the feelings of it and turned back to Klaus who was waiting with baited breath.

"I painted it during the first summer we were apart. I remember how lovely you looked in that dress and I wanted to remember it forever. So I drew it from memory. Then I submitted it into the museum for the competition. I was selected. " Klaus said quietly.

"That's so cool mom!" Will said smirking at his mother who was blushing brightly.

"Wow." Caroline said trying to regain composure and leaving the painting. Klaus let out a breath and they each took Will's hands to continue walking through the museum. After they decided to go to the Surrealism exhibit. Klaus once again lead them around the exhibit and the atmosphere went back to normal.

They spent the afternoon wandering through the museum and looking at art being informed of the pieces by Klaus who seemed to really know everything. Finally at around five Will declared he was hungry.

"I made reservations at this great Mexican restaurant if you're up for it." Klaus said looking at the two of them.

"Sure." Caroline said looking over at Will who nodded eagerly. They headed toward the Mexican restaurant and got their reservation quickly. Will was drawing on the paper they had for children and eagerly eating the salsa and chips.

"Thanks for today." Caroline said quietly.

"No problem. I should have told you about the painting, I just wanted to surprise you." Klaus said glancing at Will.

"It's fine I was just…thrown off." Caroline said.

"It will only be in the museum a few more weeks." Klaus said.

"It's really no problem. I kind of like it…I mean as long as I'm not naked I'm fine with it." Caroline said blushing.

Klaus smirked, "now there's an idea. When do you want to try it out?"

Caroline laughed and rolled her eyes but chose not to answer making Klaus smile at her.

"So what are you getting?" Klaus asked gesturing to the menu.

"Tacos for Will, fajitas for me." Caroline said.

"Fajitas for me as well." Klaus said his smirk deepening.

They were quiet for a moment just staring at each other, taking in how they felt being with the other one. Caroline felt warm inside as she looked into his eyes and couldn't deny how she felt about him or the situation. He looked into her eyes and couldn't help thinking how lucky he was to see her again, his stomach was warm and his heart felt full. He had finally come to terms for his feelings for her long ago, but now he got to experience it up close and personal. It was daunting but felt so natural he couldn't shy away from it this time. This time he was ready.

"Nik…I have a question for you." Will said bringing his parents out of their moment. Will bashfully looked at Klaus with big wide eyes that looked so much like Caroline's.

Klaus looked down at him concerned for his suddenly introverted behavior.

"What is it, mate?" Klaus asked looking at Caroline who was looking between the two with raised eyebrows. Will looked up at Klaus and then toward Caroline before waving his mother forward.

Caroline leaned forward as Will cupped his hand around Caroline's ear to whisper in her ear. Her look of concern turned to amusement as she glanced up at Klaus a loving smile dancing on her lips.

"What's going on?" Klaus asked anxiously.

Caroline smiled at him and then looked at Will who was nervously twisting his fingers, a habit Caroline herself had.

"Ask him." Caroline advised nudging Will.

Will shyly looked down at his shoes and then back up at Klaus.

"Nik…we're having daddy day at school and all the daddy's come in and tell us about their jobs and since I don't have a daddy I was wondering if you could maybe pretend to be my daddy for the day?" Will asked quietly.

Klaus's entire face light up since he felt so shocked and happy that his son wanted him to be his pretend daddy for the day. Klaus really wanted to tell him in that moment the truth, but he looked over at Caroline who was glowing.

"I'd be honored to." Klaus said happily.

Will grinned sweetly, "great! Thanks! It's on Monday at two." Will said excitedly.

"Great." Klaus said feeling kind of dazed. Will went back to coloring and Caroline continued to smile at him and glow in that special way she had.

"Thanks. That means a lot to him." Caroline said quietly.

"No problem." Klaus said smirking.

"I'm happy to do it, since you know it's the truth." He said quietly.

"I think we should tell him." He added after a small pause.

"No." Caroline said automatically.

"Why not?" Klaus asked annoyed.

"Because…" Caroline said quietly.

Klaus looked at her for a long moment watching as she fidgeting across from him. "You don't trust that I'm not going to leave." He said softly.

"No." Caroline said looking away.

"Don't lie Caroline it doesn't look good on you." Klaus said glaring at her.

Caroline sighed heavily, "not right now, it's been a nice day can't we do this later." Caroline said.

"Fine." Klaus bit out and they sat in awkward silence until the food came. They ate and had small talk. Dinner wound up and they drove back to Richmond with Will sleeping in the back.

"Can we talk about it now?" Klaus asked gesturing to Will who was laying down in the back.

"Fine." Caroline said with a sigh.

"I told you I'm not doing to abandon you Caroline." Klaus said glancing at her.

"I know." Caroline said looking away.

"Then why don't you believe me?" Klaus asked aggressively.

"Because I'm scared, ok? Happy now!" Caroline snapped feeling the tears welling up in her eyes.

Klaus sighed heavily, "I know, you are, love. But you have to trust me."

"I know." Caroline whispered feeling the tears plummet down her face.

Klaus grabbed her hand and she held on tightly the rest of the way back to Mystic Falls.

"I do trust you, Nik and I want to believe you." Caroline said as they got within city limits.

"I know and I'm not done proving myself to you. I can be the man you want and an trust." Klaus said.

"You already are." Caroline said looking over at him.

A smile danced on his face and they turned onto her street in silence. They pulled into the driveway and Klaus parked the car. He carried Will inside and put him to sleep. Caroline kissed him good night turned his night light off and went to escort Klaus out.

"I had fun." Caroline said smiled shyly at him.

"I did as well." Nik said smirking. They came to the front door and Caroline stepped closer to hug him. The hug lasted for what felt like hours, but was really mere minutes. They slowly broke apart and looked into each other's eyes.

"So pick me up at 8 Saturday ok?" Caroline whispered looking into his icy eyes that seemed to melt her shields down.

Klaus smiled and nodded, "yeah sounds perfect."

And then he leaned in ever so slowly and as his lips touched hers the front door opened hitting Klaus in the back and pushing him onto Caroline's lips hard and fast. Caroline's eyes widened in surprise and they're lips collided.

"Caroline! Klaus!" Liz said loudly upon seeing Klaus's lips on Caroline's.

Caroline barely had time to react as Klaus's lips were torn from hers in shock.

"Sheriff!" Klaus said surprised.

"What are you two doing?" Liz demanded.

"Nothing!" Caroline said loudly her face a bright red with embarrassment.

"Klaus I think you should leave." Liz said turning to Klaus who looked at Caroline. Caroline sighed and rolled her eyes.

"I'll see you Saturday." Caroline said smiling as Klaus stalked out of the house.

"What the hell was that?" Liz demanded.

"Nothing." Caroline said again moving towards her bedroom.

"Caroline! Don't walk away from me! Remember what happened last time with that boy?" Liz asked followed her into her bedroom.

"He's differed now!" Caroline yelled annoyed.

"A tiger doesn't change his stripes, Caroline! Think before—" Liz said.

"I'm going to bed we aren't having this discussion I'm an adult. If you don't like my decisions that's your problem. Klaus is Will's dad and deserves to know him! I love him as well and we're going on Saturday so that's that." Caroline yelled.

"I hope Will isn't awake to hear you." Liz said and then turned to leave Caroline watched her go knowing she was right, but wanting to give Klaus the benefit of the doubt.

(A/n: Please review and let me know what you think!)