Explorations
The next morning, everybody followed Bonnie and Jeremy to their new home to help them finish bringing their stuff in and to see their face when they saw everything that Caroline had added secretly to the repairs. Caroline had a small greenhouse set up for Bonnie, a small pool and Jacuzzi with a fence around it, a treehouse, a swing set/jungle gym, and a grill/patio area. Caroline was extremely thankful that Bonnie had picked a place with a huge back yard area, or she wouldn't have had the room to put everything. She kept trying to figure out what she could set up for Jeremy, but Stefan had gave her the idea of finishing the basement and making it an entertainment room with a pool table, a gaming system, a couple arcade games, and a mini bar. So, everyone wanted to see their faces when they saw the additions. When they stepped up to unlock the door, Bonnie and Jeremy entered and invited each one of them inside the house. When Caroline was in, she grabbed a hold of Bonnie and Jeremy.
"Okay you guys, I know you told me to not go crazy and let you do your own house, but we still added some surprises for you both and the future little ones. Bonnie, I know you had a confused look on your face when we all pulled up, so why don't you both go check out the backyard and then you both can go to the basement."
"Care, what did you do?"
"You'll like it. Just trust me and go look. We're right behind you guys." She finished and Bonnie and Jeremy exchanged a nervous look at each other before going. Everyone followed and Caroline was barely holding back her excitement. Klaus put an arm around her to keep her from flashing around. When Bonnie and Jeremy stepped outside they both looked shocked before Bonnie started crying. She turned to Caroline and hugged her.
"You didn't have to do all this. How did you know what to get?"
"Well I know you guys and I researched everything. I got the highest safety rating for the kids' stuff, and your greenhouse has every herb and flower I could find. If you want something else you can just get it and put it in there. And, it's all organized alphabetically to make it easy to sort through. The pool isn't deep and is has a gate around it for when the kids are little, but they'll they enjoy it when they're older. The treehouse has steps and a ladder to make sure they get up and down easier. And you couldn't have all of this without the grill and patio set to watch the kids as they play. Now, the basement is more for Jeremy than you, but you can have some fun with it too. Don't worry, you still have the attic and shed for storage."
"I helped her with the basement. She needed a guy's opinion and then she went crazy with it." Stefan added. Jeremy looked to Bonnie and they both darted back inside with everyone following. When Jeremy saw everything he started whooping and pumping his fist in the air. Bonnie walked around to look at everything before she turned to Stefan and Caroline.
"You guys realize I'm never going to get him out of here, right?"
"Yea you will. Besides, you like doing some of these things with him. And, there's a card table in the attic in case you guys have people over and want to play cards." Caroline replied.
"This is an awesome room. Thank you guys." Jeremy came up and stood in front of them looking like a kid at Christmas. Bonnie gave him a look and then they all went back upstairs and let them look through the house to make sure it was how they wanted. The kitchen was already stocked with food and the laundry room off to the side had a deep-freezer that was full too. Bonnie looked at the pantry room and then gave Caroline a look. Caroline dropped her head down a bit.
"Yes I know I probably got too much, but you guys like everything that's in there and refrigerated. Just make sure to keep an eye on the dates and you'll be fine."
"Some of it might expire before we get to use it." Bonnie said sheepishly.
"It's okay if if does. We just wanted to make sure you were stocked up while Jeremy starts working. I still think it's amazing that he gets to draw for a living. The comic book shelves won't know what hit them. You guys know if you need anything, you only have to call us and we'll get it to you right?"
"Yes Care, we'll be fine. Taking care of ourselves is a part of life. Yes it helps to have friends in high places, but we still want to do what we can for ourselves."
"And I'm so proud of you guys for wanting that; I just want you to know that you have help if you need it. And Klaus and Elijah have already set up your protection detail close by. You won't ever see them unless there's danger. Klaus brought you a folder that had their pictures and profiles in it, so you would know whether or not to invite someone in."
"Thank you guys. We'll look over the photos. Is it just vampires?"
"No, there are some witches too. You'll know what each person is in the profiles. Not all of them are here at the same time; only a couple. They'll switch out throughout the year before starting the process over again." Klaus answered and handed her the folder. Bonnie and Jeremy gave a quick look and went to put the folder in the office desk. When they came back in everybody looked at each other and then decided it was time to let the couple enjoy their new home. They had to go back to New Orleans and then take the jet out.
When everybody got back to New Orleans, Klaus, Caroline, Rebekah, and Stefan stood at the entryway and said their goodbyes to Elijah and Katherine before taking the car to the airport. Since Caroline and Klaus were going to use the jet to get to France, they decided to have Rebekah and Stefan fly with them to Chicago and give the jet time to refuel before heading over the ocean. They took an hour dropping Stefan and Rebekah off at their home and grabbing something to eat before heading back to the airport. When they got back on the plane and took off, Klaus noticed Caroline's excitement had temporarily calmed down, and decided to distract her.
"What's wrong love?"
"I'm going to miss everybody. I know we drove each other crazy under the same roof, but it'll be weird without them."
"You can call them whenever you want though. And you have video calls so you can see them."
"I know, it's just this is the first time we've all been separated like this. Do you think they'll be alright?"
"They'll be fine love. And you'll see them all in a couple months. You already have the baby shower planned and the rest of the activities when we go back. Elijah and Katherine are continuing the negotiations and everyone is actually working together. I don't think you realize the impact you had last night. Our reputation has always been brutal, so nobody really wanted us taking over. Then they saw you, Stefan, and Katerina with us. They saw us let you all speak for yourselves AND they saw me and Elijah let you speak your thoughts and ideas. People were surprised we let you speak for us; especially after you said you didn't want to be a queen yet."
"Just because I don't want to be a queen yet, doesn't mean I can't help come up with ideas."
"I know that love, but the crowd didn't know that you would or that we'd let you say them. They were even more surprised when we followed your ideas. They liked you love. You're already gaining support for the future, so there won't be much tension when you change your mind. Sending Stefan with Rebekah to keep the guests entertained shows you think about everybody at once. You kept Bonnie and Jeremy close to us and the witches, and you managed to get Katerina to actually help. She chose to rule with Elijah and she needed to know her duties weren't just to be bossy and dress up."
"She knew that; she was just waiting for the right time to stand up. Did you not notice that they were asking me and you more stuff than they were asking Elijah and Katherine? They're the ones that are leading them right now; not us. They need to be able to step forward and ask any of us instead of choosing who to direct their questions to. I know you're going to be calling Elijah and checking up on everything. I'm going to be staying in touch with Katherine for the same thing. She knows what she's doing, but she may not go about doing it the right way."
"You need to just relax and enjoy our travels. The city will still be there when we return."
"I know but it's still a big mess. I don't know how long it will take to get everything going."
"Caroline, it's going to take a while, but it will get done. We're vampires Caroline, we have forever and all of the people realize that it could take years to change everything. As long as we keep working on it, they'll cooperate. It's going to be fine love."
"I still bad for leaving Elijah and Katherine to deal with it all while we go globe-trotting."
"Elijah is more than capable of working through all of it, and Katerina will eventually know her role."
"Okay even you can admit that it's only a matter of time before the next big bad decides to show up and raise hell. Then we'll be fighting it and the people will be the ones to lose the most."
"Well if that happens, us originals will do the fighting, and you, Stefan, and Katerina will be in charge of making sure all our plans don't fall though during. Don't even think I'm letting you get close to a fight. We'll need you three keeping the ties connected and managing the resources. It's still a big part in battle. Without the necessary resources and connections, armies have fell throughout time. You guys will keep that going for us."
"And who is going to stop you guys form killing everybody on the opposite team? What is they were just drafted into fighting and didn't really want to?"
"We'll try to keep the bloodshed limited to those who deserve it, but you can't fight a war and there not be casualties. That's another reason you won't be fighting; you'd be out there trying to talk to them and they would be killing you without a second thought. I won't allow that."
"I know there would be casualties, and if you won't let me fight, I'll do what I can to help with the other stuff, but then it falls to you guys to try and negotiate our ways out of fighting. Casualties would be on both sides, and I would want to try and keep the death toll down."
"If we have a battle come our way, the chances are more likely they'll think like I did when I came to Mystic Falls. They won't care what happens as long as they get what they want."
"If we can get 4 different species to work and live together to build up a city, do you really think an enemy will be able to get past them?"
"No, but I will make sure that you, Stefan, and Katerina won't be compromised. We can't die, but you three can. That would be the enemy's first move and you know it. I went after everyone close to Elena when I came to Mystic Falls. I know how the bad guy, as you like to call it, thinks because I was the bad guy for all of you at one point or another."
"But you're not now. Yes, you can still be dangerous and invincible, but now you have reasons to show the other parts of you."
"Yes and we're going to be indulging in that during our travels. So, what do you want to do first when we get to Paris?"
"Well you'll have to have the jet refueled and sent back, and then I want to go practice my French at one of the outdoor cafes there. I want to go sightseeing and then shopping, but we have plenty of time for all of that. How about we just get settled in today and you can give me the tour tomorrow?"
"It's whatever you want to do love."
"Good because I want to check out where we're staying and get something to eat."
"You'll be seeing plenty of the penthouse. Don't you want to explore a little?"
"I can explore the penthouse with you first." She teased. He smirked and leaned to kiss her. She moved to sit in his lap to have better access to him, and things heated up quickly.
"Am I sensing that you want to join the mile high club sweetheart?"
"Maybe." She laughed before kissing him again. Klaus quickly compelled the stewardess to leave the area and not pay attention before coming back to Caroline. Since it was a private jet, he moved them to the couch on board.
Paris
"Seriously?! This place is insane! I will never be able to look at a pastry the same way again."
"Wait until you try the rest of the food here. And then wait until you try food all around the world."
"If you can drag me from Paris, I'll try other foods. This place is amazing."
"I told you that you would like it. Don't you wish you would have taken my offer years ago now?"
"No because you were still the bad guy then and now you're not, so now we can enjoy it without me wondering if you have an evil plan up your sleeve."
"Oh I have plans for you while we're here, but I wouldn't call them evil."
"Precisely, so let's enjoy ourselves. Don't let me forget to get everyone souvenirs to send back."
"I doubt you'll forget love, but I won't let you if you get distracted."
"Okay so let's stop at some shops so I can pick out gifts. Then we'll go back to the hotel and I'll have them sent. Then we'll go up and get ready for dinner. Where are we eating?"
"I already have you a dress prepared for dinner love. And, it's a surprise where we're eating." He answered as they threw their trash away and started walking around the gift shops. Caroline found a gift for everyone and dropped them at the lobby to be sent to their owners. When they walked up to their suite, Caroline noticed the bag hanging on their door and gave him a look. She opened it up and smiled before heading off to the bathroom to get ready. Klaus decided to let her get ready and wait to see what she looks like until she came out. He pulled out his tux and started dressing while hearing her singing in the bathroom. When he finished getting ready, he returned to the sitting area and poured him a drink. He made all the dinner preparations and called a driver for them. When he noticed silence, he turned towards the door. Caroline had entered the room with him and was standing right behind him.
"You look ravishing love."
"You don't look so bad yourself."
"Are we ready to go?"
"After I get a blood bag we are." She replied and went to get a bag. She downed it and then took a sip of his drink to make sure she didn't have any left in her mouth to be seen. When they walked out the door to dinner, Caroline was thinking about how the next 20 years would be like that; traveling, studying, and enjoying her life. She missed her friends, but she knew that she would see them throughout the years. In that moment, she was happy to be spending her time with Klaus.