Dear Journal,

Tomorrow is the party and Katie and I are preparing to go to Niklaus' home for final preparations. I have been so busy lately. We received confirmations from every invitations we sent out. I am nervous and excited because I have not thrown a party since becoming a vampire. I hope it goes well. I did not have to worry about one thing though. Niklaus took charge of find my gown. He sent a seamstress to measure me after I showed him a sketch of our masks. I am to have a first and final fitting later today. I hope the gown fits.

I finally met the elusive Kol. He seems devoted to Niklaus. Rebekah and he are close which explained his cool reception of me. Of course, I want his siblings to like me but I am not going to jump through hoops to please Kol or Rebekah Mikaelson.

On another sour note, it seems as if I can go nowhere without seeing Kathleen. She is everywhere, offering snide comments. Every time she opens her mouth the urge to kill her grows stronger. But I know I would feel badly and not because I killed her but because of the pain it would put her parents through. Niklaus tells me to follow my urges but still I resist. I know that if I am still able to resist then killing her is not the right thing to do.

Christmas is next week and I have gotten gifts for Katie, Emma and Niklaus. I will be spending Christmas with Niklaus; and then he has asked me to join him and his siblings for dinner at the Nelson-Myers home.

Apparently Emma's parents would like to spend the holiday with their daughter-in-laws family. I guess I am Niklaus' guest to his family dinner, which is a little bit unnerving.

Nikole and Katie left the hotel and entered into the waiting car. Katie was busy prattling about the things she had to do with Fitzgerald and Nikole was thinking about spending the night at the Mikaelson mansion. She wasn't sure what it mean. She didn't think that anything would happen but she wondered what people would say if they knew.

Upon entering the front hall, Katie linked arms with Fitzgerald leading him toward the kitchen, leaving Nikole to find Klaus on her own. She found him in the library reading.

"Hello Niklaus," she said with a smile.

"Hello love. You look smashing today," he said rising from his chair in one fluid motion. Nikole looked down at her simple day dress and decided he was only flattering her. He stood in front of her and took her hands in his and then kissed her cheek gently.

"Thank you, Niklaus," Nikole said. "Are you ready for your party tomorrow night?" she asked.

"Yes. Your fitting is in a few hours. The florist will be here first thing in the morning, the caterer will be here in the morning and the string quartet will be here tomorrow after evening," he listed.

"I am nervous and excited about the party," Nikole said.

"Do not be nervous, love. The Mikaelson-Salvatore Ball will be as remarkable as the woman who planned it," Klaus told her before he kissed her lightly. Nikole smiled brightly at him. "Come dear. It's time for lunch," Klaus said leading a confused Nikole toward the dining room. She wondered why they were going to be seated for lunch when they'd be having their lunch in a glass. Upon entering the dining room the reason for pretense was made clear, Gavin Nelson-Myers was sitting at the table.

"Hello, Gavin," Nikole said after she had sat in the chair Klaus had pulled from the table.

"Hello, Nikole. How are you?" he asked smiling.

"I am well. Thank you for asking. Nervous about the party, of course," Nikole said with a laugh.

"Do no be nervous. Emma tells me it is to be the party of the year. And my other sisters are also very excited about it," Gavin told her.

"I hope I do not disappoint," Nikole said.

"Do not worry, love. The party will be magnificent. The greatest party New York has ever seen," Klaus said raising Nikole's hand to his lips. Rebekah rolled her eyes at the exchange. She thought her brother was making a fool of him over the baby vampire from Virginia.

At first she thought he befriended her because of her connection to Katherine. When she learned that his interest had nothing to do with Katherine, she was surprised and then dismayed. She couldn't pinpoint what ti was about Nikole she hated but she figured it didn't matter. Niklaus would tire of her sooner rather than later.

After lunch Klaus led Nikole upstairs to the room where the seamstress was waiting. He kissed her forehead and left the room. Nikole examined the black lace dress hanging on the mannequin. It was see thru with a cream colored silk spaghetti strap sheath underneath. The sleeves were long with a wide square neckline. It fell straight to the floor, where it splayed in a dramatic train. The seamstress helped Nikole into the dress and she pinned the sleeves a little bit and the train as well. The rest fist perfectly. The seamstress showed her the shoe that she was to wear. It was black leather with black beading across the top and a satin bow. Nikole was pleased with everything.

After she dressed she went to retrieve the mask she had commissioned for Klaus. She hoped he liked it. She found him in his art room. She entered when he beckoned her and present him with a box tied with a red ribbon. He untied the ribbon and it fell to the floor. He removed the lid and pulled his mask from the box. He examined it closely while she waited with bated breath.

He had given her many remarkable gifts. Gifts that she loved and she hoped the first time she gave him something he would at least like it. The mask was black leather that was polished til it gleamed. She didn't think he would have wanted a mask with a lot of adornments. To her the mask said power and masculinity; two things that Klaus screamed.

He smiled a crooked smile, "Thank you, love. It is very becoming of me."

"You like it? I had hoped you would," Nikole said releasing a breath she didn't need.

"Of course, you chose very well, my love," Klaus told her before he captured her lips in a passion igniting kiss. Nikole felt heat radiating from within her body and spreading. She threaded her fingers through Klaus' hair and pulled herself closer to him. He molded her frame against his pleased how she fit perfectly next to him. Nikole pulled away first. She knew that if she had a heart beat it would be racing. He leaned his forehead to hers and caressed her cheek.

"I apologize for being so forward," Klaus told her.

"Do not apologize. Sometimes you overwhelm me but In the best way," Nikole said before she kissed him again. Nikole knew she should stop before things went to far but she was enjoying the feeling of being in Klaus' arms immensely. She enjoyed the feel of his lips against her own and against her skin as he trailed kisses down the column of her neck.

Klaus knew they had to stop because he knew exactly where they would end up. And he didn't want to take Nikole for the first time on the floor of his arm room. He pulled away from her, his forehead resting on hers. He struggled to maintain his composure. It was complicated by the lust he could read in her eyes. He wasn't sure how far she was willing to go and he didn't want to frighten her away. She pulled herself closer to him and put her lips back on his and Klaus made a decision.

He pushed her against the wall, her arms above her head held by one of his. He dipped his head, laving her neck and check with kisses, his other hand gripping her waist. Nikole whimpered and closed her eyes reveling in the sensations. Klaus slid his hand down around her thigh and hoisted her leg around his waist. He pushed her dress away until he could see the bottom of her corset. He was please that she was wearing the short style pantaloons instead of the full pantaloons; it made it what he was about to do easier.

Nikole wasn't sure what was happening but she trusted Niklaus and she wanted to know what happened next. She felt him pull her undergarments down and then she felt his fingers as they began to explore her most sensitive parts. She inhaled sharply as he slid a finger inside of her. He body involuntarily reacted and she moaned in pleasure. Klaus let go of her arms and she placed them around his neck. She threw her head back as she added another finger inside of her. She arched and thrust against his hand.

Klaus removed one of her arms from around his neck and placed her hand on the bulge that was in his trousers. Nikole shocked, tried to pull her hand away but he held her in place. She looked him in the eye and the look in his eyes changed her mind.

"Show me what to do, she whispered. He opened his pants and his impressive manhood sprang forward, hard and ready. He placed her hand around the thick column of flesh and then placed his hand over her and showed her exactly what he liked. Nikole wasn't sure she was doing a good job until he removed his hand and placed it beside her head and moaned in pleasure. She wanted to make him feel as good as he was making her feel.

Klaus answered the pleasure she was giving him by thrusting his fingers into her faster. He used his thumb to stroke her nerve bundle and felt her clench around his fingers. He thrust into her hand, matching the movements of his fingers inside of her. He concentrated on making her climax because he knew he was close. They climaxed at the same time his seed spilled his seed into her hand. She brought her hand to her face to look at it. He waited to see what she would do and was shocked when she tentatively licked her fingers. He licked his own fingers and placed her leg on the floor. He kissed her passionately after he returned to a properly dressed state.

"Niklaus, I...," Nikole stated.

"Shh, love. I understand," he told her softly.

"I do not wish for you to think badly of me," she said her eyes lowered.

"I never could. Do you not understand my feelings for you? I must dedicate myself to being more clear," Klaus said with sincerity. She nodded and hugged him fiercely and they went downstairs hand in hand to check on party preparations.

As Nikole looked around at the ballroom she began to get nervous about everything. She paced back and forth, readjusting the vase in the middle of the table in the foyer. This party was important to her. She had to make sure that everything was perfect. She didn't want to disappoint Klaus. On her third trip around the foyer, she ran into Elijah.

"Are you feeling well?" the elder Mikaelson asked.

"I am fine. Thank you for asking," Nikole said embarrassed.

"Are you sure? You seem nervous," he asked.

"It is nothing. Only anticipation," she replied.

"We are looking forward to the Salvatore-Mikaelson Ball," Elijah said.

"We?" Nikole asked. "I do not imagine Rebekah is excited about the party or me hosting instead of her," she said bluntly. She instantly regretted her words. She hadn't meant to speak of Rebekah's obvious dislike of her.

"You are correct. Rebekah is not very pleased," Elijah admitted.

"I told Niklaus that this was a bad idea. I hate the idea that I have come between Niklaus and his sister," Nikole said distressed.

"Do not bear the burden of their estrangement. It has been present for many years. You hold no responsibility," Elijah told her earnestly.

"I understand. I only wish I had not exasperated the situation. Family is very important," Nikole explained her feelings to the eldest Mikaelson.

"Yes it is. You are also important. I have not seen Niklaus this happy in many years. I owe you a great thanks," he said bowing. Nikole know that if she could blush she would.

"No thanks necessary. He had done so much for me," Nikole said remembering that day in the park. Elijah nodded his understanding as Rebekah entered the foyer, then her eyes narrowed immediately when she saw Nikole.

"Elijah, you do not mind if I steal Nikole for just a moment, do you?" Rebekah said with false cheerfulness.

"Not at all," he said eying his younger sister warily. Rebekah linked her arm into Nikole's and led her away from Elijah.

Upon entering the library, Nikole pulled her arm free.

"What do you want?" Nikole asked.

"Only to talk to you," Rebekah said.

"About what?" Nikole questioned.

"You relationship with my brother," Rebekah answered.

"What about it?" Nikole asked, getting frustrated with Rebekah.

"I do not know what is happening between the two of you but I'm warning you," Rebekah said.

"Warning? I do not know what you are talking about," Nikole said, her brow wrinkled in confusion.

"I am trying to help you. My brother can not be trusted. He will betray you," Rebekah told Nikole meanly. Nikole did not know the history between the two siblings but she realized it went very deep. She didn't want to be a pawn in whatever plan Rebekah was hatching.

"Maybe he will, but it will not be the first time I have been betrayed," Nikole told her. "My father shot me in the back and my older brother forced me into this life. Betrayal is not new to me," Nikole told her as she brushed past her out of the library.

"The ballroom is ready for the florists. Katie and Fitzgerald are ready for the caterers," Nikole announced as she entered the study.

"Very good. Now you can relax," Klaus said pulling her into his lap. She giggled as she tried to pull away. He held her tighter until she stopped struggling and snuggled into his chest. He kissed the top of her head and returned to his book. This time reading aloud to her.

A while later, Fitzgerald entered the study to announce dinner. Klaus kissed the top of Nikole's head and then rose to his feet. He placed her feet on the floor and led her to the dining room.

Nikole was surprised to see Kol sitting at the table. He inclined his head toward her as she sat in the chair that Klaus pulled from the table for her.

"Nikole Salvatore, this is Fiona Coyne," Kol Mikaelson said introducing the stranger at the table.

"It is lovely to meet you. You are Declan's sister?" Nikole asked.

"Yes. You know my brother?" Fiona asked her interest piqued.

"Not really. Niklaus and I met him at the theater. He was escorting Kathleen Adams-Marshall," Nikole told her.

"Oh," she said dispassionately, "please do not hold my brother's abhorrent taste in escorts against me," Fiona said.

"Absolutely not," Nikole assured her.

"Thank you. My entire family is looking forward to the party tomorrow night," Fiona said excitedly.

"I am so pleased," Nikole said with a smile.