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Enjoy the chapter. I won't be updating until next week or later on.
Chapter 10
Klaus
The less we say about it the better
Make it up as we go along
Feet on the ground
Head in the sky
Caroline and I are in a good place. It's has been 8 months since we left London and we are now living in New York together. It's amazing how I find myself opening to her so easily. It's like my mind wants her to know everything, let her know exactly I feel. It's all so new to me. I love her. It's not easy but she's makes this relationship simple.
Together we found a new club here in New York, she's singing up on stage and I am amazed of the song she picked today. Lately she's been singing very slow jazz music but today she's picked a very up beat tempo. Her voice goes with everything she sings. I've learned she usually picks songs by what's she's feeling and today has been pretty damn good.
Hi yo I got plenty of time
Hi yo you got light in your eyes
And you're standing here beside me
I love the passing of time
Never for money
Always for love
What amazes me the most is that she can always manages to find the perfect song that goes with how I'm also currently feeling. It's as if she can see right through me and knows exactly how I feel. Caroline knows exactly how to keep me on my toes and tonight goes to show she will always find a way to surprise me. Besides this relationship is both new to us and we're both learning as we go.
Home - is where I want to be
But I guess I'm already there
I come home she lifted up her wings
Guess that this must be the place
I can't tell one from the other
Did I find you, or you find me?
Yes, she is home and we found each other. I've waited for her all my life and I won't let anyone harm her. She knows this. I know she hates how jealous I can be but she's mine and no one else's. We've been very lucky and accident like the one in London hasn't happened here and I hope it never does. I can never control myself when it comes to Caroline's safety.
Hi yo we drift in and out
Hi yo sing into my mouth
Out of all those kinds of people
You got a face with a view
I'm just an animal looking for a home
Share the same space for a minute or two
And you love me till my heart stops
Love me till I'm dead
She finishes her song. Her feet stop moving with the beat of the song. The crowd begins to clap for her and she smiles and bows to the crowd. They love her. I think the manager might ask her to sing every night. I heard bits and pieces of him having a conversation with the owner of the place about her but I was distracted by her voice. We are basically here together every Friday night and the crowd is usually the same people. I think half of the people here come just to see her every Friday night. I know I did while she sang at Mystic Falls I wouldn't be surprised if they did the same here.
I know she'll never try to become a professional singer because that'll mean everyone would know who she is. She doesn't want people to know much about her because then it'll hurt her less when she has to leave. She was so upset she didn't get to say good-bye to her friends at Mystic Falls but she knew she had to leave without letting anyone know, at least that's what she tells me and I understand.
Rebekah and I were the same when we traveled together. I still keep in touch with her she doesn't understand why I want to be with Caroline just like I don't understand why she is so interested in Matt but that's the thing about us we're both too stubborn to let each other in.
Eventually Caroline walks off the stage and walks back towards our table. "Are you ready to go Nik?" she asks.
I get up and grab her hand and kiss her knuckles. "Of course sweetheart, let's go back home."
Caroline
"Come on Nik I want to find a nice dress for tonight." I'm on top of Klaus trying to wake him up but I know he's pretending to sleep so he won't have to go with me shopping.
"Can't you just get something online and get it delivered?" he mumbles. I smile he's just an open book when he wants to be. "Pleaseeeee?" I beg.
"Oh love." He says and opens his eyes and looks at me. I start to giggle because I know that no matter how hard I try he's not going to get up and go shopping with me. "Since you're not going with me will you do me one tiny favor then?" I ask.
"What is it love?" he wonders. "Can you get blood for me?"
"Of course sweetheart. I need you to be strong," he tells me. I look at him and smile and kiss his lips quickly and run to the bathroom to get dressed.
…
Walking through all the stores in Time Square ready to find a lovely dress for tonight. We were invited to a ball tonight hosted by many vampires that live here in New York. I was actually really excited for this event I've never been in a big place before with so many vampires. Klaus wasn't as excited as I was, he's been around these kinds of event all his life but I really wanted to go.
I walk around for hours looking for dresses until I finally got tired and found a dress.
Klaus
I was waiting for Caroline to finish getting ready for tonight's event. I wasn't so excited for this ball but Caroline wants to experience how it is to be around more vampires so we're going. I've been to these events through all my existence and most vampires just suck up to me. All originals are always invited to all balls like these.
I wonder how Caroline will feel the moment when they bring in the humans for dinner. She will despise that part of tonight's event but it's the type of things that happen in these events. I tried to spare Caroline's emotions since she doesn't eat fresh human blood.
I got her plenty of blood bags that'll last a couple more months that way she doesn't have to hunt bunnies. I'm sitting on the couch and slowly hear Caroline leave the bathroom and walk her ways towards me. I turn around and there she is just gorgeous. She's wearing an elegant white gown with a strapless bodice and sparkling accents on the empire waistband that circles around to a sexy open back. Her hair is long and full of elegant waves that run down her open back.
I get up and walk towards her, "You look ravishing love." I take her hand and kiss her knuckles and then kiss her cheek. She smiles.
Caroline
"Thank you and so do you." I tell Klaus. Damn he sure does look sexy in a tux. He has his hair slicked back he's wearing an all black tux and just a white dress up shirt under his jacket with a black tie. He looks amazing.
"I have something for you," he tells me in a very seductive voice. He reaches the inside of the jacket and pull out yet another small box out of his pocket. He gives me the box and I begin to open it. Slowly I figure out what I'm staring at. It was a drop necklace with a princess-cut and round brilliant diamonds in platinum. There are diamonds everywhere. It was simple and very delicate but at the same time it was really elegant.
"Nik thank you so much. You really should stop spoiling me with so many gifts."
"Giving you gifts are the highlight of my life. Come love, let's go to the ball." He takes my hand and led me to the limo waiting outside the hotel. I was starting to get very nervous. I've never been around so many vampires. Klaus told me all the vampires are going to be very old unlike me. I have to be very careful with what I say I can't have them not like me and try to kill me or go after the people I love.
I needed to stop psyching myself out. I wanted to go to the ball and here I am going to the ball.
"Stop worrying Caroline," Klaus whispers. How does he know I'm over thinking this whole situation? It really freaks me out when he does this but I like that he can read me so easily.
"I'm just nervous," I turn to look at him and he grabs my hand and wraps it in his and gives it a reassuring squeeze. "Love you have nothing to worry about. You're going to have a wonderful time, I promise." He's so calm, how can he be so calm about this?
…
We reach the mansion in upstate New York. There were expensive cars everywhere and gorgeous people walking inside the mansion. Butterflies were starting to build. I can't believe I'm crazy enough to do this.
"Ready love?" Klaus ask. I look at him and smile. He takes my hand and leads me again to the inside of the mansion.
Beautiful women dressed in ball gowns drinking champagne and men in their tuxedos and hair slicked back mingling with the other vampires. Many of the waiters and waitress holding trays with champagne glasses were walking around all over the mansion and that's when I realized they are all humans.
Why do they have humans at this ball? Klaus didn't tell me they would be human. My subconscious is telling me they are just there to serve us but then another side of me tells me they might be dinner. I doubt any of these old vamps are going to eat an actual meal like humans for dinner. I was feeling guilty all these innocent humans are soon to be dead.
Klaus hands me a glass with champagne and wraps one of his arm around my waist and keeps me close to him. "Come, it's time you meet some vampires," he says and walks toward a group of vampires.
…
"So you sing Caroline?" Genevieve asks me. She is a beautiful woman. At least 300 years old and I was impressed. Genevieve is tall and very skinny with fair light skin with very straight long blond hair and clear green eyes. Again she is beautiful I was starting to feel self-conscious standing next to her while Klaus still had his protective arm around me.
"Yes it's only until recently that I've started singing in public." I tell her.
"Oh that's wonderful. You know there's a band here playing tonight for the festivities but there's actually no singer you should go up there and sing a few songs." She tells me. She was actually telling me to go sing in front of a whole crowd of vampires. My legs were shaking. For a second I thought I was going to be sick but then I remembered I couldn't get sick.
I looked at Klaus to see if would give any suggestions as to me going up there to sing or not. He knows I'm looking for an answer and he just smirks at me, teasing me. He's not going to help me decide.
"You two are wonderful together it's like you are both having an unspoken discussion," she smiles while speaking. "Would you be interested in singing Caroline?" she wants an answer. I don't want to appear rude either. Oh man what am I getting myself into?
"I would love to. It would be an honor." I reply. "Oh that's just wonderful!" She adds. She's appears pretty excited. "Come Caroline I must introduce you to the band."
Klaus kisses my cheek and let's go off me, "Just have fun love."
…
I was raised up believing I was somehow unique
Like a snowflake distinct among snowflakes, unique in each way you can see
And now after some thinking, I'd say I'd rather be
A functioning cog in some great machinery serving something beyond me
I finally started to sing Hopeless Blues by Fleet Foxes and slowly my confidence on stage was starting to build. The band was excited to have someone willing to sing and they were vampires too. Some vampires were still mingling with one another but others decided to take the time to listen to the music being this was the first time in years someone actually sang on stage, according to Genevieve.
And I don't, I don't know who to believe
I'll get back to you someday soon you will see
I decided to keep the song with a slow tempo and my voice not too loud either. I look out the crowd and see Klaus watching me, eyeing every move I take and I realize under his gaze I feel sexy. I take a hold of the mic and continue to sing and slowly close my eyes.
Gold hair in the sunlight, my light in the dawn
If I had an orchard, I'd work till I'm sore
If I had an orchard, I'd work till I'm sore
Someday I'll be like the man on the screen
I finish my song and the crowd begins to cheer. I smile and give them all a quick bow. I was really excited they liked me. After they finished a new song began and continued to sing We Found Each Other In The Dark by City And Colour.
Klaus
She was beautiful up there. I was surprised they actually wanted her to sing on stage. It's been years since the vampires actually allowed someone to sing with the band and that the band was so happy to let her join.
Caroline was special and I only hoped she realized how special she actually was. It's not every year this happens. It's been almost 250 years since any one was singing on stage. And she was doing an amazing job. She starts her second song and I realize that yet again she is speaking to me with these lyrics.
I heard the church bells from afar
But we found each other in the dark
And when the smoke does finally pass
We will rise above all the ash
I've never heard of this song before. I wasn't in touch with the new generation music but it was very lovely and for the first time Caroline doesn't close her eyes while singing. She only looks at me the entire time and it's just us two in the big mansion. She still hold the mic tightly I can tell immediately she's still a little nervous but her confidence is starting to grow.
Cuz were gonna live
Were gonna live
At last
So bright, the flames burn in our hearts
That we found each other in the dark
The beast, out in the wilderness
We are fighting to survive and clam the less
She moves her body from left to right very slowly and taps her right foot with the beat of the music. Keeping her voice very composed. A small amount of people began to dance while Caroline sang another gesture that hasn't happened in many years.
Through the black soulless water
And the cold lonely air
On the rock restless seas
The vessel in deep disrepair
And I swore they started singin'
But they'd all rejoice
I can still hear your voice
"You have a very lovely lady on your side Lord Niklaus," Stephan said while walking up to me. Yet another vampire interested in Caroline this time it was a guy.
"Oh yes, I am a very lucky man." I reply barely looking at him. "I can only imagine. She has a very lovely voice. I'm surprised Genevieve let her go up on stage without actually hearing her sing," he states while taking a sip of his champagne.
Caroline continues to sing and starts a new song. She stopped looking at me once Stephan approached me and began to sing to the crowd who was dancing on the dance floor.
"Yes it was surprising but I think Caroline has more than risen to the challenge." This time I know she singing Easy Living by Billie Holiday. It takes me back to living in the 1920's and 1930's. Caroline would love that time frame. She would have been a perfect fit.
Living for you is easy living
It's easy to live when you're in love
And I'm so in love
There is nothing in life but you
"Yes I completely agree with you Lord Niklaus. I again must tell you how lucky you are to have Caroline. I must be disappointed if you ever let such woman go," he looks at me deep in the eyes as if challenging me.
For you maybe I'm a fool
But it's fun
People say you rule me with one wave of your hand
Darling, it's grand
They just don't understand
"Trust me when I say this Stephan I would never let Caroline leave my side. Now if you excuse me I must go catch up with other guest." I must leave this gut side before I take his heart out of his chest and kill him my damn self.
Caroline
"Everyone dinner is about to begin." An elder vampire states from the stage. I think his name was Thomas. He was another tall vampire but he didn't have a young appearance like most of the vampires here. He must have been turned at an older age. He was wearing a very dark navy blue tuxedo with a white button up shirt, navy blue tie and shoes. He had very dark brown eyes and dark hair as well. He was a very good-looking man, I think every one here was good looking but I think I said that before.
Slowly the door opened and the humans were stilled dressed in their black and white uniforms.
"I'm going outside," I whisper to Klaus ears. "I'll go out with you love," he grabs my hand and leads me outside to one of the many balconies this mansion had. I didn't even get the chance to object so he can have a proper meal.
"You go back inside." I tell him. He takes my hips gently and pulls me to him and wraps his arms around me. "I'm staying right here with you love. I can drink blood later I don't want you to feel uncomfortable." I look at him and give him a shy smile and he kisses my lips gently.
After a few moments my clutch begins to vibrate. "You want to get that?" Klaus murmurs. Who could be calling me right now?
I open my clutch and stare at the caller i.d. I wonder what Elena wants.
"Hello?" I ask.
"Caroline I'm so sorry I have to bug you right now I know you told me a few days ago you were attending an important party and I don't want to bug you right now on your time alone but something happened," she says it so quickly I can barely process what going on.
"Elena what's wrong? You're scaring me."
"Caroline I'm so sorry to have to tell you this. Your mom, she's in the hospital." She takes deep breaths as if she was holding her breath for a really long time.
"What happened?" I whisper.
"Some drunk who was passing through Mystic Falls hit your mom's cop car. She's in the hospital right now and they're not sure if she's going to make it. It just happened a couple of hours ago. You need to get here quick! They won't tell us much because we're not family. I'm so sorry Caroline," her voice is sincere.
"I'll be there as soon as I can Elena. Tell them I'm on my way." I hang up and stare at Klaus my eyes starting to water.