Hello Everyone! Well, this is the end! I have had such an amazing time writing this story and I am so very grateful to all of you that have followed, favourited or reviewed. It has meant so much to me to have received such a good reception for this story and towards my own characters. I hope that this epilogue lives up to your expectations. I have been ill for the last few weeks which is why this chapter has been delayed and I do apologise for that!
I am planning to write more stories in the future and I have a few ideas buzzing around at the moment. I am still writing The Journey but I have been sidetracked by this story but it just popped in my head and I had to get it out! This story was inspired by a song and I wanted to keep it to 10 chapters. I think I might take this approach in future as it was a great way to write. So to those that have read this, do keep an eye out! I am also considering an all human fic focussed on Klaroline but I am working out the details. I am very much a forever girl and I love the beauty of immortality that Klaus and Caroline represent so writing them as humans would be very different for me as I always see the characters as living forever.
A massive thank you to everyone that has reviewed and followed! Waking up to tons of emails from you guys with your responses has been incredible! I have loved every minute of it and I sincerely hope that you continue to read and review not just my stories but also the vast amount that other talented writers have created.
Again, a huge thank you to you all! This chapter is dedicated to you, the readers, who, to paraphrase JK Rowling, have stuck with me and this story to the very end.
Five Years Later...
Caroline awoke to sunlight gently streaming through the windows. Her initial reaction was to snuggle back down into the bed but she quickly realised that she wasn't at home in New Orleans and her eyes snapped open in surprise before she flung her hands over them to block the offending sunlight. The arm that was around her waist tightened and pulled her closer to the warm body it was attached too. Soon, there was a pair of soft lips at her neck kissing her gently accompanied by ticklish stubble and a contented sigh. She couldn't help the grin that spread across her face.
"Good morning, baby." Caroline teased.
She felt his scowl at her neck and his indignant growl vibrated against her back, causing her to giggle. She knew he hated being called that. Nevertheless, he still responded to her.
"Good morning, my love."
The giggles faded into silence as Caroline's broad grin softened into a tender smile. She and Klaus had been together for five years and yet the labels boyfriend and girlfriend seemed strangely inappropriate to their relationship. They were so much more than that but there wasn't a label out there that seemed to fit them. It would often lead to teasing debates and nicknames such as the one she had just called him. In other times, it would lead to overt displays of affection where, if she didn't run to their bedroom fast enough, she would end up sprawled upon the surface nearest to them as he rained kisses upon her lips.
But whenever he said 'my love', Caroline's tummy quivered and fluttered. It was much more personal and powerful than the simple 'love' he used to call her. It was possessive and intimate and she liked, no, she loved it when he greeted her that way. She loved him.
She turned around in his arms to look at him and saw that his cerulean eyes were open and a bit bleary from sleep but looking at her warmly. She frowned at him.
"You're staring again." She said playfully.
His trademark smirk widened.
"I just can't help myself, sweetheart. Your beauty captivates me every time I look at you." He said sincerely.
Caroline rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the slight pink flooding her cheeks which only made him smirk wider as he pulled her closer and crushed his lips to hers.
A few minutes later, Caroline pulled away regretfully and chuckled at the frown marring his handsome features. She kissed his forehead gently, smoothing the lines that had appeared there with her lips. Klaus hummed contentedly.
"We have to get up." She said before unceremoniously launching herself out of bed and darting towards the bathroom, leaving Klaus reaching out hopelessly to her.
"Why? We could spend all day in bed getting reacquainted with each other. After all, you were away for a long time, sweetheart, and I don't think last night was enough to satisfy my insatiable appetite for you." Klaus murmured suggestively, patting the side of the bed she had just left.
Heat once again spread to her cheeks and continued to course through her body, setting every nerve on fire and for a minute she was sorely tempted to get back into bed with him and let her hands roam over every inch of skin she had longed to touch whilst she was away. It didn't help that his toned chest was peeking out of the covers, begging for her touch. Before her thoughts could carry on down the dirty path they were on, Caroline yanked herself back to reality and away from her fantasies.
"I was only away for a week in Mystic Falls and you could have come with me, remember? I did invite you."
"Yes, but your mother disapproves of me and I wanted you to have a nice time spent with her." Klaus groaned, knowing that the mood was ruined and Caroline was definitely not getting back into bed with him.
"Exactly and it's your daughter's graduation today so we have to get up and get ready if we want to make it in time." Caroline scolded him.
Klaus jolted back to reality and climbed out of bed, remembering exactly why he and Caroline were in a hotel in Connecticut rather than in their king-size bed back in New Orleans. Lily's graduation from Yale University was today and he had never been more proud. He only regretted not being able to have his way with Caroline once more before they started the day.
As if sensing the direction of his thoughts, Caroline stepped closer to him once again and kissed him sensually.
"Play your cards right and you might just get a repeat of last night later." She whispered in his ear before sultrily walking towards the bathroom removing her camisole as she went. Klaus glimpsed the creamy white skin of her naked back before she shut the door firmly behind her. A second later and he could hear the shower running.
He groaned. This was going to be a long day.
xoxoxo
Caroline rolled her eyes again and bit her lip to suppress the giggle that was fighting to escape as Klaus launched into another tirade.
"-I mean this is ridiculous! Why is there so much traffic in Connecticut? And New Haven? What a stupid name for a place."
Although the traffic towards the university was quite bad, Caroline knew it wasn't the only reason for his bad mood. Lily's unexpected announcement had been what had triggered this bout of current moodiness on the hybrid's part. Although they had yet to see her, Lily had been sending texts to update them on whereabouts on campus she was as she was running about getting things ready for the ceremony. The latest text had caused a look on Klaus's face that Caroline could only describe as 'miffed'.
"Klaus..." Caroline said gently, laying her hand on his forearm. His grip on the steering wheel relaxed instantly and he sighed at her touch.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Are you sure you're not just upset about the fact that Lily has a boyfriend?" She asked tentatively.
His grip on the steering wheel tightened once more. Bingo.
"Of course not. Why would I care if she had a boyfriend?" Klaus said smoothly which meant he was barely concealing his rage.
"And what about the fact that she is going abroad with Dylan almost straight after the ceremony?" Caroline pressed.
"She's a grown woman now. She can do whatever she likes." Klaus insisted but Caroline didn't miss the way he winced as he said it.
She squeezed his arm reassuringly and Klaus sighed. He knew he couldn't conceal anything from his Caroline. They knew each other so well that secrets were redundant in their relationship. Well, all except one, he thought as his mind flicked to the box that was currently burning a hole in his suit jacket pocket.
They drove in companionable silence for a few minutes more before it was broken once again by Klaus's grumbling.
"What kind of man has a name like Dylan, anyway? Why couldn't she have picked someone with a strong name like James or Matthew or Luke-"
"Those are very biblical names." Caroline commented, effectively cutting him off.
"Exactly!" Klaus cried.
"Isn't it a bit hypocritical that you want her to be dating someone pure and honest considering you're pretty much as bad as it gets?" Caroline questioned.
Klaus opened and shut his mouth, for once unable to come up with a defence. Caroline smiled triumphantly. She settled back into the passenger seat and returned to gazing out of the window at the scenery that flashed past them as the traffic finally began to ease up.
"Dylan is a ridiculous name." Klaus grumbled as the car launched forward.
Caroline just shook her head.
xoxoxo
"Dad! Caroline!"
Klaus looked over to see his little girl waving enthusiastically from across the visitors' car park. She had a huge smile on her face and her chocolate brown hair was streaming behind her as she made her way over to them. She turned back briefly to a boy stood beside her and grasped his hand to pull him along with her.
Lily enveloped Caroline in a hug as soon as they were close enough before quickly giving the same to Klaus. She stepped back and cleared her throat nervously.
"Dad, Caroline this is my boyfriend, Dylan."
Dylan stepped forward holding his hand out confidently to Klaus. He was dressed smartly in a black tailored suit and tie underneath his black robes with purple lining his hood indicating his field of study was Law, like Lily's. He had brown hair that appeared to be untidy no matter how much gel or product the guy put into it which, from Klaus's point of view, was a lot.
"Mr. Mikaelson, it's great to finally meet you." Dylan said politely.
Klaus grasped his hand, squeezing just tight enough to make Dylan wince a little in pain. He smirked at the obvious discomfort the boy was in.
"Likewise." He uttered, as politely as possible as he glanced over to his daughter and Caroline.
Lily seemed relieved at how the introduction had gone but Klaus could see the look of disapproval on Caroline's face. He hastily dropped Dylan's hand as she crossed her arms, knowing if he held it any longer she would be quite likely to leap down his throat and berate him.
Dylan turned to Caroline with a huge smile on his face.
"Miss Forbes, it's so nice to meet you. Lily has told me a lot about you."
Caroline giggled and wrapped him in a hug, causing a scowl to erupt on Klaus's face.
"Please, call me Caroline." She insisted.
"Stefan, Bekah, Elijah and Elena are already here. Dylan, can you take my dad over to them, I just need to grab something from Caroline?"
Dylan looked terrified but nodded feebly and made his way back to where they had come from with Klaus falling into step beside him. Klaus shot Caroline a look of glee as they went past and she had a sinking feeling that poor Dylan was about to be in for a terrible interrogation.
Caroline turned to Lily who had an anxious look on her face.
"What's up?" Caroline asked concerned.
"I told Dylan everything about you and the rest of the family." Lily confessed, wringing her hands together.
Caroline was surprised.
"Oh, how did he take it?" She asked.
"Really well," Lily beamed, "It didn't seem to faze him at all. He asked a lot of questions but he seems okay with it and I told him I wanted to turn."
Caroline gaped in shock.
"You want to turn? Are sure about this? You're only twenty-two, Lily. You've got your whole life ahead of you."
Lily sighed.
"I know that but I want to do this. You and I both know Dad would turn me eventually because he can't bear the thought of losing me and truthfully it's something I've been considering for a while."
"But why? Don't you want to live a normal live, get married and have kids?" Caroline asked.
"There's nothing I want more than to be able to live forever with the people I love." Lily countered.
"It's a lot to give up. I would know." Caroline said.
"But do you regret it? Any of it? If you could become human again, would you?" Lily asked.
Caroline thought about it before answering her. For most of her life in Mystic Falls, all she had wanted was to get married and have a whole bunch of kids, to have the opportunity to have the family she hadn't had growing up. But then Katherine had come along and changed all that, ripped it away from her. Caroline had been devastated. But then she realised that she could be so much more than normal. She could be extraordinary and Klaus made sure that she knew this every day they were together. The truth was she loved who she was now rather than the girl she used to be. She didn't want to become insecure, neurotic, always picked second Caroline again.
"No." Caroline finally admitted.
Lily smiled.
"I'm human. Somehow, the daughter of a werewolf and a hybrid was born a human. This means I will eventually die. But I don't want that. I want a forever and I want a forever love like the one you have with dad." Lily confessed.
Caroline turned to look at her sharply and crossed her arms.
"What exactly are you asking me, Lily?"
"I'm asking you to turn me."
A long beat of silence followed where everything around them could be heard clearly. Students laughing, parents bustling around and birds chirping.
"Is this something that you really want?" Caroline asked, wanting to be sure.
"Yes." Lily said without hesitation.
"Okay. I'll turn you but only after you have asked your dad." Caroline said firmly.
Lily smiled and hugged her and together they made their way towards their family.
"Why did you ask me and not your dad to turn you?" Caroline asked, the curiosity burning through her voice.
"I love my family but they aren't like you. Controlled. Out of them all, you're the only one that can hold onto your humanity with the most success. I admire you, Caroline, and as a vampire I would like to be like you and I think you being the one to turn me would give me a good start." Lily said simply.
Caroline was stunned but smiled softly at her as they walked peacefully together.
xoxoxo
Klaus watched as the long throng of students made their individual paths across the stage, shook hands with the Chancellor, got that very expensive piece of paper and marched off into the future goofy grins present on their faces. He could see Lily get closer to the front of the line and gave her an encouraging smile as she glanced nervously in his direction. She never had liked being the centre of attention. It was odd really considering her parents and most of her family soaked up as much attention as they could get but it made her stand out from the rest of them. The quiet, reserved and intelligent daughter of the infamous evil Hybrid.
His heart swelled with pride as he saw her walk across the stage, her face going red and briefly pausing to get the symbolic photo of her shaking hands with the Chancellor. Klaus chuckled as he saw the sigh of relief that escaped her as Lily exited the stage. Caroline grasped his hand and he turned to see tears in her eyes as she watched his daughter. If it were possible his heart grew even bigger. He knew Caroline loved Lily nearly as much as he did but it always made him happy whenever she showed signs of her love towards her. It surprised him how well they got on. Twenty-two years ago he never would have believed that Caroline would be in his life and love his daughter but she did and it proved just how amazing she really was.
He reflected back on his daughter's request from earlier in the day. After her talk with Caroline, she had spoken to him straight away about becoming a vampire. He had pretended to have concerns but secretly he was elated that she had decided to stay with him forever, another sign that he could have love and family even though Mikael had made him feel like he was unworthy of both for all of his life. He had said yes almost instantaneously but under one condition. She could only turn after she had returned to New Orleans from her tour of Europe with Dylan. That way she would be able to learn to control her bloodlust in her own home. Lily had agreed straight away before hugging him once more and skipping off with her boyfriend.
Boyfriend.
The word made him scoff. Dylan had managed to hold his own against Klaus's relentless interrogation about 'his intentions' towards Lily. But that still didn't make him worthy of her. Klaus doubted anyone would ever be worthy of her. But he let it slide for Lily's sake because for some reason Dylan made Lily happy. Klaus couldn't fathom why.
Suddenly, the ceremony was over and parents were surging to their feet.
"Oh, I'm so proud of her! My niece, the lawyer!" Rebekah cried, wiping her eyes and gripping onto Stefan's arm.
"She's not a lawyer yet, sister. She has to pass the bar and all sorts before she can practice law." Elijah clarified as he linked his hands with Elena's.
"Nevertheless, I am still proud of her. You know she's the only one of us who has been to university?" Rebekah said.
"Well that's not true. Caroline and I went to Whitmore." Elena said.
"Yeah, but we dropped out after a semester in favour of travelling and because our roommate was a psycho vampire hunter who tried to kill us." Caroline remarked drily.
Elena frowned.
"You're forgetting the fun we had whilst we were actually there! The drink, the lectures, the boys..." Elena trailed of suggestively.
Elijah and Klaus had matching scowls on their faces at the thought of their girls' being pawed at by fraternity boys.
"I choose not to think about the boys at college. Pervy Peter followed me around the whole time. It was creepy." Caroline muttered.
Elena just rolled her eyes before squeezing Elijah's hand reassuringly.
The Mikaelson family and their partners made their way over to the large hall that would be serving drinks to the new graduates and their families. Lily was already waiting for them, Dylan by her side.
The family rushed over to congratulate the two of them and the evening began to fly by. A few hours later Klaus pulled Caroline to one side.
"Walk with me, my love?" He said and her insides melted.
"Of course." Caroline said and slipped her hand into his.
They left the others in the large hall where Elijah and Stefan were conversing with Dylan who looked as if he wasn't sure if he should be uncomfortable or not. The ladies were talking animatedly about Lily's European tour with Rebekah recommending many places for her to go to.
The couple walked hand in hand around the grounds surrounding Yale. The evening was warm and the sky was streaked with orange and pink as the sun began to set. It would probably be one of the last warm evenings before autumn set in.
"It's beautiful here. I totally get why Lily decided to come to Yale now."
Lily had been accepted into Columbia and Harvard as well as other universities. Caroline had always wondered why she had chosen Yale over Harvard but one look at the scenery and incredible buildings that formed the campus and Caroline could see there were many reasons to pick Yale.
"Have you ever thought about going to university again, Caroline?" Klaus asked.
"Oh, I think the time has passed for college." Caroline replied.
Klaus took a breath. This was it, he thought and pulled out his trademark smirk.
"Oh, I don't know. Caroline Mikaelson, Harvard graduate. I could make it happen you know." He said, the words coming out perfectly despite his nervousness.
Caroline rolled her eyes and laughed, not yet catching on to what he was saying.
"I know you could make that happen! But if I were to go to college again, it would have to be Tulane so that I could be close to you and..." She trailed off, his words finally sinking in.
Caroline looked up to see Klaus's eyes sparkling with affection and mischief, an amused expression on his face. A direct contrast to her shocked one.
"What?" She whispered, her eyes were confused but her lips were pulled up in a smile.
Klaus sighed. He had hoped she would just say yes, take the ring and then they could go back to the hotel and she could show him how happy she was. It looked like he would have to do this the old-fashioned way, something he had hoped to avoid because he hated expressing his feelings.
He got down on one knee and revelled in the short gasp that escaped her lips. Klaus pulled out the box in his jacket pocket, popping it open and revealing a magnificent princess-cut diamond ring with diamonds encrusted in the band. It was beautiful.
Klaus cleared his throat.
"Caroline, before I met you, twenty-three years ago, I was surrounded by nothing but darkness. I was a monster. But you shone your light on me and forced me to become a better man so that I could be worthy of you. Sometimes I can still be a monster but you always bring me back from the edge. I have done a lot of terrible and unforgiveable things but somehow you look past all of that and accept me. You've welcomed my family as your own and they in turn have welcomed you. I know we aren't perfect and some days you drive me completely insane but I cannot live without you. To make you an official Mikaelson, to make you officially mine, would make me the happiest man on earth and I promise I will make you equally as happy for the rest of eternity. So, Caroline Forbes, will you do me the honour of marrying me and becoming my wife?"
Caroline was absolutely stunned. She never thought Klaus would ever propose to her. He was always advocating the benefits of immortality and the freedom from human conventions it provided and she thought that something as traditional as marriage would be far from his mind. But here he was, the Original Hybrid, kneeling down on one knee in front of her anxiously awaiting the answer to that world renowned question. And there was only one answer she could ever give him.
"Yes." Caroline whispered and launched herself at him, planting kisses all over his face as the tears she had been trying to hold back broke free.
Klaus was so surprised he nearly dropped her as she landed in his arms.
"Really?" He asked hoarsely, his throat tight with emotion.
Caroline grinned at him.
"Yes! Yes, I will marry you!" She cried and continued kissing him.
Klaus managed to pull the ring out of the pretty box it had been kept in for the last few weeks and placed it on her shaking left hand.
"You'll never get rid of me now. You're mine. " He whispered into her ear and rained kisses onto her sunshine hair.
A shiver went through her as Caroline heard the possessiveness in his voice.
"I will always be yours, Niklaus Mikaelson." She said softly and relished in the groan that escaped him as she used his full name.
Klaus captured her lips with his again before breaking away and leaning his forehead against hers, both closing their eyes. The air around them was peaceful and happy and they could hear the happy chatter of their family not too far away. They basked in their joint happiness for a few more moments before Caroline broke the silence.
"By the way, I think Caroline Forbes-Mikaelson has a better ring to it, don't you?"
Klaus just laughed before lifting her up and spinning her around and causing Caroline to laugh uncontrollably, both so blissfully happy.
xoxoxo
The next day, the Mikaelson family along with Dylan and their various luggages made their way to the airport. Dylan and Lily were flying to Paris first of all having heard so much about the wonderful city from Rebekah and Elena. Klaus had grit his teeth when he heard his daughter was flying to the City of Love but managed to hold his tongue after a glare from Caroline. Klaus was returning to New Orleans with Elijah and Stefan whereas Rebekah, Caroline and Elena were taking a quick flight to New York to peruse wedding dresses by Vera Wang. Klaus and Caroline hadn't minded a long engagement but with some persuasion and threatening from Rebekah had opted for a wedding that would be held in New Orleans in four months time, allowing for Lily to attend the wedding after her three month trip across Europe with Dylan. Lily, Elena and Rebekah were to be bridesmaids and were all very excited about it.
"I'm so upset I can't look at dresses with you all!" Lily pouted as she was hugging them all goodbye.
"Don't worry, Lily. The sights in Paris will more than make up for it." Rebekah assured her niece.
"Besides, I would not want to be around these three whilst they try to plan a wedding in four months." Stefan quipped, earning a punch from all them.
The laughter was interrupted as Dylan and Lily's flight was called.
Caroline stepped forward, hugging Lily tight and trying not to cry.
"I'm going to miss you, so much." Caroline said earnestly.
Lily hugged her back, squeezing her eyes against the tears. She would miss them all so much.
After a heartfelt goodbye with everyone else, Klaus took his daughter to the side and wrapped her in his arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"Stay safe." He only said two words but Lily got the meaning behind them. Neither of them were very good with expressing their emotions but with those words she knew he was saying he loved her and would miss her.
"I will." She responded which he took to mean 'I love you too'.
Lily took Dylan's hand and together they made their way to the airport terminal.
"You ready?" He said, smiling widely with eyes filled with affection.
Lily squeezed his hand, all of her reservations melting away when she met his gaze.
"More than ready." She grinned at him.
She turned back to get one last gaze of the people she was leaving behind, fiddling with her camera. She snapped the shot before she could even get a proper glance at them but when she lowered her camera, she knew it had been perfect.
All six members of her family were smiling and waving at her. Elena and Elijah's arms were linked together and they were beaming as they waved with their free hands. Rebekah was tucked under Stefan's arm as she sniffled a little but smiled and waved happily through her tears. Stefan was smiling broadly at them, his hair still in perfect condition despite the fact that he kept running his hands through it whenever Rebekah mentioned yet another wedding topic.
Lily's eyes slid over the final couple and she couldn't help but grin when she saw them. They too were smiling and waving. Klaus had his left arm around Caroline's shoulders with her head resting just below his and her right arm around his waist. As she waved, the ring upon her hand dazzled in the setting sun. Their smiles were wide and genuine and Lily was certain she had never seen her dad as happy as he was now. He nodded his head to her, a silent thank you for bringing Caroline back into his life.
As she was about to turn away the clouds moved in the sky outside and allowed the sun to illuminate the family, casting a glow around them. In that moment, Lily was certain she saw Bonnie and Kol laughing from behind her family, their arms wrapped around each other. A split second later and they were gone.
Lily smiled and waved one last time, her eyes lingering on Klaus and Caroline who had turned to look at each other. The love in their eyes was breathtaking and Lily was thankful for every decision she had made that had led to this moment because if their forever was going to be so perfect, why wait for it to begin?
The End.