Sorry it's been forever. I'm the worst; I accept that. Hopefully this update helps. I know the song is a little cheesy, but I heard it the other day, and it worked for the situation. If there's something you'd like to see in this series, let me know. I'm always taking requests. You can also include songs you'd like to see Klaus sing if you think it fits. I love hearing from you guys. Thanks!

Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.

"Niklaus?"

Klaus froze at hearing the familiar voice behind him. He stood up from adjusting Julian in his stroller and turned to find himself face-to-face with Tatia Petrova, his ex-girlfriend and all around viper.

"Hello, Tatia," he greeted her coolly.

She glanced down at the four-month-old baby. "So, this is your life now, huh? Married with a baby? Things certainly have changed."

"Perhaps," he shrugged, "but unlike the man I was when you knew me, I'm happy."

Before she could respond, Caroline joined them. "Nik, is he sleeping yet?"

"He is," Klaus confirmed. "Fell asleep just now while we were looking at pasta."

"Oh, good," she breathed, looking to Tatia. "Hello."

"Caroline, this is Tatia Petrova," Klaus introduced. "Tatia, this is Caroline Mikaelson, my wife."

Recognizing the name, Caroline instinctively leaned into Klaus. "It's nice to meet you."

"Mm-hmm," Tatia smirked. "Your son is beautiful."

"Thank you," Caroline beamed. "I don't mean to be rude, but Nik, Rebekah and Stefan are expecting us soon. We should get going."

"Of course," he agreed. "Tatia," he nodded curtly before pushing Julian's stroller down the grocery aisle and towards the checkout.

"So, that was her, huh?" Caroline mused as he placed their items onto the conveyor. "Pretty much exactly what I pictured."

"What's that?" he wondered. "Poison in a leather skirt?"

"No," she denied. "Calculating and cold. She definitely thought she was better than us."

"She isn't," Klaus assured her. "She might think she leads a magnificent life, but deep down, she's miserable. We've been apart for more than nine years and I can still see that."

"I love you," she smiled.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I love you, too."

Twenty minutes later, they made their way into Rebekah and Stefan's backyard for the barbecue they were hosting to celebrate Rebekah's twenty-sixth birthday. Everyone else had already arrived, but because of the baby, Caroline and Klaus were often given leeway on punctuality.

"Sorry we're late," Caroline apologized to Rebekah. "We got caught up in the market. I met Tatia."

Rebekah gasped. "What?!"

"She was there," Caroline explained. "Nik and Julian were looking at pasta while I went in search of a good wine, and when I found them, she was standing next to him, eyeing my baby like he was a bug on her shoe."

"Still a bitch then," Rebekah murmured. "I didn't much like Katherine when she first started seeing Elijah, but that was just me being the bratty younger sister then. I hated Tatia because she's garbage and treated Nik like dirt. It was infuriating to see. He was still kind of a mess when you first started."

"I remember," Caroline sighed, watching where Klaus was talking to his brothers.

"He's a better person now," Rebekah stated. "He's happy and successful. That's because of you, Caroline. I've never seen him more at peace than when Julian was born. It was actually very sweet."

Caroline grinned. "He took to fatherhood very seamlessly."

"He was nervous about it," Rebekah recalled. "He wanted a child, but he didn't really have great role models in Mikael and Ansel, so he wasn't sure if he'd be okay. I heard several conversations between him and Stefan about how he would do."

"I never doubted him," Caroline admitted. "Not once. He was so steadfast in his want of having a baby that I knew he'd be great."

Before Rebekah could say anything else, Julian began to fuss in his car seat, so Caroline reached in to pick him up.

"What's wrong, buddy?" she cooed, holding him closely to her chest. "Are you hungry?"

Klaus, who'd heard his son's cries, made his way over. "It's been almost four hours since he's eaten. He might be hungry."

"I think so," Caroline said. "Is the house unlocked?"

"Yes," Rebekah nodded.

Caroline carried the baby inside, knowing Klaus was following with his diaper bag. For the first month, she had tried desperately to breastfeed, but it was difficult and painful. Freya sent her dozens of resources on the subject, and while Caroline wanted to, it just didn't take, so they'd switched to formula when Julian was nearly five weeks.

When they reached the kitchen, Caroline handed the baby over so she could make the bottle while Klaus settled into the rocking chair in the living room with Julian.

"You've been so good today," Klaus murmured against the infant's head. "Don't muck it up now because you're hungry. Mummy is hurrying."

Julian only continued to cry.

"Okay, okay," Caroline said as she walked in to hand over the bottle.

Klaus offered it and Julian latched on immediately, greedily eating as quickly as he could.

"That's better," Klaus whispered, rocking slowly. "We're missing Aunt Rebekah's party."

"I don't mind," Caroline muttered as she sat on the couch. "For May, it's so hot out."

Klaus chuckled. "It isn't so bad. I think you've just spent so much time inside lately that you're used to the air conditioning of the house."

She sighed. "I wish you wouldn't have to return to the tour tomorrow."

"Me, too," he frowned. "Two months left, plus you two are joining me at the beginning of June."

"I know," she said. "It's just hard. He changes so much every day and I hate that you're missing it."

"Me, too," he scoffed. "I'm the one who sees him most days through a computer or cell phone."

"I don't mean to sound whiny," she assured him. "You're the one I feel for. I know how badly I miss you, but I'm here with him; you have both of us to miss. Right? You do still miss me even though he's here now?"

"Caroline," he said, eyeing her. "Don't be ridiculous, love. I miss you with every fiber of my being. I haven't been on tour without you in six years. I hate seeing Katherine and Elijah together because it makes me miss you even more."

Tears filled her eyes. "I miss it, too. I've always liked touring. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade being at home with him, but I can't wait until he's old enough to travel more."

"Hmm, I don't know," Klaus shrugged. "I don't know if I want him to grow up on tour, without any roots. I want him to have a normal upbringing."

"He will," she declared. "We did, for the most part, so we'll make sure he does, too."

When Julian finished his bottle, Klaus burped him before the couple made their way back outside to the party.

"Let me see that baby!" Bonnie cried as she reached for him. "Hi, Jules!"

Now happy and full, Julian squealed happily and reached for her dangly earrings.

"I'm sorry he has to leave again so soon," Elijah apologized to Caroline as the afternoon transitioned into early evening. "We worked to keep the dates spread out enough to give him opportunities to come home as often as possible."

"I know," Caroline nodded. "I don't blame you. This is our life; we adjust as best we can. We miss him, but we're making it."

Elijah grinned. "He's very mellow on this tour. He performs, writes, does a little press, and that's it. We don't really eat out or do anything else beyond work. He spends most of his free time in his hotel room."

"FaceTiming us," she filled in. "We probably speak at least three hours a day. He just wants to feel like he's here."

"I know," Elijah murmured. "All he talks about is his family and how much he misses you two."

"Two more months," she repeated. "In two months, he's home for a while."

"Yes, an extended break," Elijah confirmed. "We're all looking forward to it."

"Think you and Kat will ever have kids?" she asked.

He looked to where his wife was sitting at the patio table with Henrik, Kol, and Davina, playing Euchre. "I don't know. If we're going to, I'd like to do so soon. I'm nearing my middle thirties and I wouldn't want to be an old dad. Katerina, however, says she doesn't want children, and I'd never pressure her. I want her to be my wife more than I want a child."

"That's sweet," Caroline breathed. "She's really great with Julian; I think she's warming to the idea of motherhood."

"Stop talking about me!" Katherine yelled over. "I can just tell!" she added before they could ask how she knew.

"She's something, isn't she?" he chuckled fondly before walking over to stand behind her.

That night, after leaving the party a little early to spend Klaus' last few hours at home together as a family, the three of them were curled up in their bed, watching Peter Pan. Julian had no idea what was going on, but he liked the colors and sounds, so he was fascinated. It helped that he was situated comfortable in a Boppy pillow, giving his parents time to each other.

"Sixteen days," Klaus said as he drew lightly on the inside of her wrist. "In sixteen days, you guys will join me in Boston."

"Sixteen days," she breathed. "That's not so many."

"Not in the scheme of things," he agreed. "And in two months, when the tour wraps, we're free for the foreseeable future."

This made her smile brilliantly. "I can't wait. It will be so nice to just be us for a while."

"Mm-hmm," he said, nuzzling into her neck. "Is he sleeping yet?"

Caroline checked as he continued kissing along her collarbone. "Just about. I'd say he'll be out in five minutes."

"Well, I'll do what I can in the meantime," he smirked devilishly, pulling away to carefully duck under the covers.

When Caroline woke up early the next morning, both her men were out of their beds, so she climbed out herself and made her way downstairs to the kitchen, only to find it empty. She furrowed her brow and checked the rest of the first floor rooms before hearing Klaus' voice coming from the backyard. She spotted an open window in the living room, so she walked over and sat on the couch to listen.

"I hate having to leave you again," Klaus was saying as he rocked in the swing. "I hate that your mum is doing everything on her own. I know Rebekah has been a big help, and Bonnie is here frequently, but I should be here, too. I want to be. I want to sleep with her in my arms every night and I want to wake up to your laugh every morning. I'd even happily wake up to your cries if it meant being here. Before you came along, I would've gone on this tour like any other, and your mum would've been with me. You've changed everything, and I wouldn't trade it for the world."

Caroline heard Julian start to fuss, so Klaus had to change his tactic.

"I don't do anything except perform, so I've been writing," he explained, adjusting the baby so he was resting against Klaus' shoulder. "Perhaps you'd like to hear a song? It's sappy, and I'd never likely record it, but it's what I work on when I'm missing you two terribly."

Another summer day

Has come and gone away

In Paris and Rome

But I wanna go home

Mmmmmmmm

May be surrounded by

A million people I

Still feel all alone

I just wanna go home

Oh, I miss you, you know

And I've been keeping all the letters that I wrote to you

Each one a line or two

"I'm fine baby, how are you?"

Well I would send them but I know that it's just not enough

My words were cold and flat

And you deserve more than that

Another airplane

Another sunny place

I'm lucky, I know

But I wanna go home

Mmmm, I've got to go home

Let me go home

I'm just too far from where you are

I wanna come home

And I feel just like I'm living someone else's life

It's like I just stepped outside

When everything was going right

And I know just why you could not

Come along with me

This was not your dream

But you always believed in me

Another winter day has come

And gone away

In either Paris or Rome

And I wanna go home

Let me go home

And I'm surrounded by

A million people I

Still feel alone

And let me go home

Oh, I miss you, you know

Let me go home

I've had my run

Baby, I'm done

I gotta go home

Let me go home

It'll all be all right

I'll be home tonight

I'm coming back home

Caroline swiped at the tears that had begun falling whilst listening to him sing to their son and stood up to walk outside.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Klaus greeted her with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did," she nodded, noticing that Julian had fallen back asleep. "Have you eaten?"

"He has, I haven't," he answered. "Shall I make us something?"

"I will," she replied. "French toast?"

"Please," he grinned, following her into the house. "What time is it?"

"Going on eight," she told him, finding what she needed to cook.

Klaus placed Julian in his bassinet in the living room and joined her. "Did Elijah say what time the car is picking me up?"

"One," she reported. "Your flight leaves at 2:30, you'll land in New York around 4:00 their time, and your show is at 7:30. It's a busy day for you, so I was thinking we'd just lie around until the car arrives."

"I like that," he agreed.

"I um, heard you singing to him," she admitted softly, turning away from him. "I didn't mean to, but I heard you talking to him and it was so sweet, so I'd just planned to listen for a minute, but then you sang. I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he denied, walking around the island to wrap his arms around her waist from behind. He kissed her neck. "I wrote it for you; you should hear it."

"I cried," she added. "I try so hard to not let you see how much I miss you, but it's so hard. I miss you. I miss you being here for me, of course, but I miss you being here for him. He sees you on a screen, but he doesn't understand that. He's a baby. And I know it isn't your fault, but it's still hard, and I hate it."

He turned her around to tightly hug her. "I hate it, too, love. It is the worst thing to go through, but we're strong and we'll make it. Know that all I'm truly focused on is getting home to my girl and our beautiful little boy."

"I know," she whispered. "I know most new moms take a lot of pictures, but I've been obnoxious because I want you to see everything that's happening with him."

He grinned. "I love you very much for that."

At quarter to one, Caroline was anxiously hoping time would stop and Klaus wouldn't have to leave. He was making sure all of his things were ready to go and she was pacing back and forth with Julian in her arms to calm her down.

"Sixteen days," he reminded her once again. "I'll have you in my arms again in sixteen days."

"I know," she whined.

There was a knock at their door, and Caroline heard Penny letting someone inside.

"Who is that?" she demanded. "I still get you for fifteen minutes."

He looked at her mysteriously. "Let's go find out."

She followed him out of their room and downstairs to find her mom, dad, Stephen, and Lily standing in the foyer with luggage.

"Hi, sweetie," Liz smiled up at her.

Caroline looked in shock at her husband. "You brought my family here?"

"They'll be here until you come to me," he told her, taking Julian so she could greet everyone. "I thought it might ease the sting of me leaving a bit."

"It does," she beamed, "but just a little." She rushed down to hug her mother. "Hi, Mommy!"

"Oh, my baby," Liz murmured, hugging her tightly.

Klaus stood back while his wife connected with her parents and sister. They hadn't seen each other since a couple of days after Julian's birth, so he knew this meant a lot to her.

"Bring me that baby!" Stephen called up to him.

"We'd like to see you, too, Klaus," Bill added kindly.

When the car arrived to take Klaus to the airport, he said his goodbyes to Caroline's family and Julian inside the house before Caroline walked out with him. She held onto him tightly while the driver loaded his bags in the trunk.

"Okay," Klaus finally said. "These two weeks will fly by. Your family will keep you occupied."

"I know," she sniffled. "It will be okay."

He reached up to wipe the tears away with his thumbs. "I love you very much, Caroline."

"I love you, too," she nodded, kissing him.

He pulled away to open the door. "I'll call you when I land."

Caroline wiped her eyes again. "Okay. Safe flight."

Once he was gone, she went inside and took Julian from her mom.

"It will be okay," Bill offered from the coach. "We'll keep your mind off him being gone and then it'll be time to go to Boston."

She grinned at the baby, who smiled back. "You're right. I'm glad you guys are here."

Sixteen days later...

Caroline held onto Julian tightly in his wrap around her chest as she navigated through Logan Airport in Boston. Rebekah had gone ahead to find their luggage while Caroline adjusted the baby and called Klaus to find out where he was. She was just reaching security when a familiar face appeared in the crowd.

"Look, Jules," she whispered as a smile crept across her lips. "There's your daddy."

When they reached him, Klaus wrapped his wife and son in his arms tightly and held on for dear life.

"I've missed you so much," he breathed, kissing them both.

"We did, too, but we made it," Caroline replied. "We're here."

"You're here," Klaus repeated. "Let's do this."