Chapter 21
Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I'm just borrowing.
Note: Previously, in "The Allure of Darkness," Klaus finds out that Caroline is having twins.
Happy New Year, my lovelies! I know that I'm behind on the updates (the last time being December 9), but real life has been really hectic for me lately. Anyway, I thought I'd give you a special update for the new year (even though it's not the new year yet where I am). No spoilers, just follow along.
3 Months Later...
"Rebekah, you look absolutely beautiful."
Caroline couldn't help but admire how lovely her sister-in-law looked in her gown as she, Sage, Lexi, and Amelia were helping with the final adjustments. Today was the big day that all of the Mikaelsons were looking forward to, and it had dawned sunny and gorgeous, which meant that it would be pleasant for everyone.
The other blonde smiled. "Thank you, Caroline. I'm definitely happy to be marrying Stefan today. I love that delightful man to death. There's nothing that he wouldn't do to see a smile on my face."
"I should hope so, or he'd catch hell from all of your brothers," said Amelia. "Not to mention Mikael. He wouldn't have allowed Stefan into the family if he didn't make you happy." She sighed, stepped back and placed her hand on her belly, feeling the baby kick. "My goodness, but she's an active little thing today." She saw the looks on the other women's faces. "That's right, I'm having a girl. Elijah and I found out when we went for the ultrasound last month. We already decided on a name. Evelyn Victoria Mikaelson."
"That's a beautiful name, Amelia," said Caroline. "Nik and I haven't decided on names for the twins yet."
"Do you know what they are yet?"
"I went for the ultrasound and we found out that one was a boy and the other was a girl," said Caroline. "We're still trying to figure out what to name them. I've looked through every book of names I could get my hands on, but nothing seems to jump out at me."
"Well, don't be discouraged, Caroline, you'll find the right ones," said Eleanor. "Mikael and I are looking for some suitable names for our twins as well, and we're having the exact same..." She felt a kick, which cut her off. "They're certainly busy in there. Then again, they always are."
"Why don't you sit down for a minute and relax, Eleanor?" said Sage. "Mikael would have a fit if you were on your feet for too long."
Eleanor nodded at the redhead and went to a nearby chair, easing herself into it. Caroline joined her soon afterward, not wanting to catch hell from Klaus for exerting herself too much. The thing she liked about being in the Mikaelson family was there were plenty of women around to talk to. The families she lived with growing up had other children, but she felt like an outcast. Here, at least she felt like she belonged.
Groom's Dressing Room – That Same Moment...
Stefan was reading his vows to himself as he looked in the mirror at his tux. It wouldn't be long until he and Rebekah would be declared husband and wife, even though he did feel a little anxious. Of course, it wasn't axiety about the wedding. It was anxiety about his brother. Ever since he found out that Caroline had gotten married to Klaus, he had turned into something that not even Stefan didn't recognize anymore.
Please God, I beg you, don't let Damon ruin things for me today, he thought. I just want this wedding to go off without a hitch. I know that learning about Caroline's marriage to Klaus has hit him hard, but please, don't let him show up here and cause a scene.
"Still looking over those vows of yours? From what you read to me last night before the rehearsal dinner, they sounded perfect."
Klaus' voice brought the younger man out of his reverie and he replied, "I'm just anxious."
"Anxious about what?" said Klaus. "About the wedding? Relax, you're going to be great."
"It's not the wedding I'm anxious about," said Stefan. "It's Damon. I'm hoping that he doesn't show up here and make a scene. After he found out about you and Caroline running off to Vegas, he changed, and not in a good way either. I don't want him causing trouble, especially not on the happiest day of not only my life but also Rebekah's."
Klaus nodded, knowing exactly what Stefan was talking about. "Well, if he does show up, he'll have to face my father and my brothers, and they've handled worse people than your brother, trust me."
"I agree with Niklaus, Stefan," said Elijah, who had been listening to the two younger men speak. "We'll make sure that Damon doesn't interfere with today's festivities."
Stefan smiled at Elijah, but before he could say anything, Kol popped his head in. "Rebekah is almost ready. You can head out at any time."
Elijah nodded. "Right, thank you, Kol."
As soon as Kol exited the room, Elijah turned toward Klaus and Stefan before heading out himself. No sooner did he leave than Klaus and Stefan followed him and they headed out to the garden, where the minister was waiting. When they arrived at the altar, Stefan took his place to wait for Rebekah, Klaus taking his place next to him as best man.
Once the men were in their positions, the bridesmaids (Sage, Lexi, and Amelia) came down the aisle and took their respective places, followed by the maid of honor (Caroline). Then, after the women were in their places, the bride part of the wedding march began to play and Rebekah appeared, escorted by Mikael (Eleanor was seated in the front row, mainly because she was supposed to be taking it easy). Stefan smiled as he saw her coming toward him. She looked absolutely beautiful in her gown and he couldn't be more in love with her than he was right now. Klaus smiled as well, seeing the look of love in Stefan's eyes. He remembered having that same look months ago, when he and Caroline were married in Las Vegas.
After Rebekah was handed off to Stefan, Klaus looked over at Caroline, admiring how she looked in her maid of honor gown. It lovingly hugged her belly, making it comfortable to move around. He even saw how she gleamed with that motherly glow and he couldn't wait until they finally met their twins so that he could hold them in his arms.
At the Reception...
Caroline sipped the sparkling cider that served as champagne substitute, watching as Stefan and Rebekah danced their first dance as husband and wife. Even though she shouldn't, she did feel a bit envious, mostly because she and Klaus didn't really have a first dance, except for the one they had at the charity benefit.
"May I have this dance, Mrs. Mikaelson?"
Klaus' voice brought her out of her reverie and she turned to see him standing there, smiling at her and extending his hand. Smiling back, she said, "Indeed you may, Mr. Mikaelson."
She took his hand and he escorted her out onto the dance floor, holding her as close as her belly would allow as they swayed to the music. Caroline rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart and closing her eyes. Klaus gently placed his chin on top of her head, kissing it and inhaling the sweet scent of sandalwood, honey, and lavender, the most beautiful combination in the world.
Rebekah looked over and saw them. "Looks like we're not the only ones having a first dance."
Stefan looked up and when he saw Klaus and Caroline dancing together, he smiled. "Yeah, they probably didn't get to have one after their wedding in Vegas, so this more than makes up for it."
It wasn't long before the music for the first dance ended and just before the father-daughter dance can begin, Caroline saw a familiar face making his way through the crowd. It was Damon, and he looked like he was about ready to raise some hell. Shit, not here, not today.
Once he was in within earshot, she said, "Damon, what the hell are you doing here? Don't you know that this is your brother's wedding?"
"Of course I know it's my brother's wedding," he replied. "That's why I'm here, isn't it? A guy can't support his little brother on the happiest day of his life?"
"Not in that state, you're not," said Caroline. "You're in no condition to be here!"
Damon ignored her and walked toward the place of honor. Caroline watched him go and immediately went after him, afraid of what he was going to do. Of course, she wasn't the only one who didn't like this. The entire Mikaelson family, including Klaus, weren't exactly thrilled by this either. Damon ignored every one of their stares as he grabbed a glass of champagne from the tray a waiter was carrying, as well as a microphone. Stefan watched this and felt his heart pound.
Shit, this doesn't look like it's going to end well, he thought. Whatever Damon has in mind, it's not going to be pretty.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please? As you probably don't know, and you should, I'm Damon Salvatore, the brother of the groom. I didn't know that he was getting married, mostly because I didn't get an invitation in the mail. Anyway, that doesn't mean that I can't drink a toast to the lovely couple, now does it?"
Stefan held Rebekah's hand and said, "Damon, what the hell are you doing?"
"Relax, Stefan, I'm not going to bad mouth you in front of your lovely new bride here," said Damon. "I'm just going to give a toast." He looked toward Caroline, who was by now holding Klaus' arm, scared shitless. "Now, as I said, I'm going to toast the couple. Stefan, I have watched you grow from a little boy into a man, and although we didn't always have the best relationship, you're still my brother."
"Damon, stop it," said Stefan. "I won't have this continue!"
Ignoring him, Damon looked at Rebekah. "Hello, Rebekah, don't think I haven't forgotten you. Tell me, have you told Stefan about what happened between us oh, say, after I was released from the drunk tank?"
Caroline looked at Stefan and whispered, "What is he talking about?"
"I don't know," he whispered back. "But, I don't like it."
Rebekah didn't like it either. "Damon, please, stop this right now! You're making a scene!"
"No, I'm not going to stop," said Damon. "I think Stefan needs to know you're carrying my child." He looked at Stefan. "Yeah, that's right, bro, I slept with your wife. Well, technically, she was still your fiance, but I slept with her. How much do you love her now?"
By this time, Klaus had enough. He wasn't about to stand here and let some asshole degrade his sister in front of everyone on her wedding day. Removing his arm from Caroline's hold, he walked up to Damon and punched him in the face, sending him to the ground before kicking him in the groin, ignoring the cries of pain that followed the impact of his kicks.
"I've taken all I can take from you, you bastard!" he said. "Bad enough you were going to try to come between me and Caroline, but I'll be damned if I let you drag my sister down like this! She never did anything to deserve this!" He stopped kicking him and yanked him up by the lapels of his jacket. "What have you got to say for yourself?"
Damon coughed a bit before pushing himself out of Klaus' hold and pointing a gun at him. "See you in hell."
Caroline saw what was happening and screamed before rushing over to push Klaus out of the way just as the gun went off, hitting her in the right side. Klaus saw her fall to the ground and looked up at Damon, who dropped his weapon and tried to run, but was stopped by some of Stefan's friends on the Chicago Police, who had turned up for the wedding. However, Klaus wasn't concerned with that. He was more concerned about Caroline and quickly went to her side.
"Caroline? Caroline, love, can you hear me?"
Weakly, she replied, "Yeah, I can. Klaus, I'm sorry, I..." She then saw blood around her. "Shit, the babies!"
"It's all right, we're going to get you to the hospital," said Klaus. "Kol is calling 911 as we speak. You're going to get through this, just like the other times. You're stronger than this, I know you are."
No sooner did he say this than the ambulance showed up and the paramedics loaded her onto the gurney. Klaus climbed aboard with them, not wanting to leave his wife's side for anything. He held her hand the whole way to the hospital, thinking about what had gone down at the reception. The thing he couldn't get over was what Damon had done to his sister. Why go after Rebekah? She was innocent, so why would he target her?
He probably wanted revenge against me, so he used Rebekah to get it, he thought. I only hope that Stefan doesn't leave her because of what he found out. She needs him now more than ever, especially since the baby is going to need a father.
Note: Yeah, don't ask where I got the idea for this. I wanted to make up for not updating for a while by giving you a big update, beginning with Stefan and Rebekah's wedding. Oh, and don't worry, Caroline is going to be okay, and the babies will be as well. Stay tuned for the next chapter.
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