Chapter 25

Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I'm just borrowing.

Note: Previously, in "The Allure of Darkness," Caroline goes into labor and gives birth to her and Klaus' twins. However, one of them is taken to the NICU for observation.

Hey, guys! After a bit of a hiatus, I have decided to update, having gotten an idea while at work. No spoilers, just follow along.

Cook County Hospital – 2 Days Later...

Caroline could feel her heart racing as Klaus wheeled her toward the NICU. She was going to be visiting Anastasia today, having been thinking about her since the other day. She knew that Kol said she'd be in the NICU for only a few days, but Caroline, not being a very patient woman, wanted to see her daughter, and possibly bond with her, even if only for an hour or two.

"Everything is going to be all right, love."

Hearing her husband's voice above her startled her out of her reverie and she nodded, sighing. "I know. It's just that I when I had the twins the other day, I never expected that something was going to go wrong."

Klaus nodded as well. "Neither of us expected it. But, the thing we can take comfort in is that our little Anastasia is a fighter, just like you, and she'll be all right. Kol said that she'd only be in the NICU for a few days."

"I just can't help but think about her," said Caroline. "She's only two days old and she's away from her family like this." She sighed again. "I guess the best consolation is that she's in good hands with the doctors and nurses in the NICU."

Klaus nodded again, but didn't say anything as they got closer to the NICU, where they were greeted by Kol, who had a goofy grin on his face. He knew that his brother and sister-in-law wanted to see their daughter, so he wanted to be the first person to greet them.

"Are you two ready to see your daughter?"

Caroline nodded. "Yes, we are. I know that she's only going to be in here for a few days, but I feel like I'm going to go insane unless I hold my little girl for a minute or two. I've waited all this time to meet her and I don't want her to feel neglected just because I bonded with her brother first."

Kol walked over to her, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. "Caroline, you didn't know that Anastasia was going to be placed after she was born. Things like this happen all the time, when we least expect them to. Anyway, that's not important right now. What's important is getting to see your little girl."

Caroline nodded, knowing that Kol was right. The most important thing was getting to see her little girl. Klaus wheeled her into the room, heading to where Anastasia was, hooked up to a heart monitor. Kol then reached in and picked her up, handing her over to Caroline, who instantly took her into her arms, kissing her forehead.

"Mommy is so happy to see you, Anastasia," she said. "She's also happy to know that you're going to be okay." She looked at Klaus, who had moved from his place behind his wife to stand in front of her. "Daddy is happy to see you too, right, Daddy?"

Klaus smiled and gently stroked his daughter's head. "Yes, I am."

Caroline then saw that Anastasia was smiling at them. "Nik, look, she's smiling at us."

"Yes, and she has a very beautiful smile," said Klaus. "Just like her mother."

Caroline smiled. "Though, I can see a hint of her father in her as well."

Kol watched as his brother and sister-in-law fawned over Anastasia and he was happy for them, since they were finally together after all the trials and tribulations that they went through. In a way, it sort of reminded him of what he went through with Lexi before they got married.

Klaus looked at Kol and, seeing that Caroline wanted to bond with Anastasia some more, approached him and said, "Do you have a moment, brother? I'd like to speak with you."

Kol nodded. "Sure, Niklaus. Let's head out to the hall so that we'll have more privacy."

Klaus nodded as well, following him out to the hall, closing the door behind them, and as soon as their privacy was ensured, Kol cleared his throat and said, "What is it you wanted to talk about, Niklaus?"

"I got a call from Father before I went to bed last night," said Klaus. "He told me that he was able to find an apartment that has enough space for myself, Caroline, and the twins. He even said that we can move in after Caroline gets out of the hospital."

Kol smiled. "That's great, brother." Curiously, he added, "Why are you telling me this? Shouldn't you tell your wife about this and not me? I mean, I am happy for you, but Alexia and I already have our own place."

"I am going to tell Caroline," said Klaus. "In fact, I'll tell her when we get back to her room."

Kol nodded. "Good, because she'll want to know what Father told you."

Later...

Caroline noticed that Klaus was quiet as they returned to her room from seeing Anastasia in the NICU, which caused her raise an eyebrow. What was it that he discussed with Kol that was causing him to be so quiet?

"Nik, are you okay? You've been awfully quiet since we left the NICU."

Klaus looked down at her. "I suppose I can't keep it a secret any longer, can I? Last night, while you were asleep, Father called me and told me that he found us an apartment that's large enough for us and the twins."

"He did?" said Caroline. "That's great!" Curiously, she added, "Why didn't you tell me that this morning?"

"Your mind was primarily on seeing Anastasia and I wanted to wait until we were back at the room before I told you."

Caroline nodded. "Well, I'm glad that you finally told me. At least this will give us something to look to when the twins and I are released from the hospital."

Klaus smiled and helped her out of her wheelchair, placing her back into bed, after which he laid down next to her, holding her close to him and running his fingers through her hair. He was looking forward to when his family was released from the hospital so that they could move into the new home that Mikael was able to find for them.

Note: Okay, I'll end here, since I can't think of anything else to include here. Stay tuned!

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