CHAPTER XXIV
In the middle of the afternoon, Stefan explained his plan to Elena and Caroline.
- I put this house in my daughter's name. Until Sarah is old enough to consciously invite someone in, Rebekah and I would be in charge of that, as her parents. And since Bekah is completely unaware of that, I'm the only one inviting people in. I remembered I met a vampire who did that, putting his house in the name of a nephew for whom her was responsible for or something, and the boy was too young to invite people in. Then, the vampire did it until the boy was old enough to do it consciously.
- I can't wait to see Damon's face when he can't get into his house... – Caroline smiled mischievously.
- Oh, and I registered our babies, Caroline. – he handed her a birth certificate, which read "Lukas Henrik Mikaelson, son of Niklaus Mikaelson and Caroline Elizabeth Forbes" – Here's is Sarah's. "Sarah Alexis Salvatore, daughter of Stefan Salvatore and Rebekah Mikaelson." – he read out loud, very proud – I had to use some compulsion, I mean, there were no documents or anything.
- That's okay, Stef. Thanks!
- Is this what you're offering Klaus? An invite? – Elena asked, not really sure the hybrid would accept the deal.
- Yes. I'll say I'm still trying to reach Damon to get his coffin back, but since that's taking a while longer, for Bonnie still hasn't located my brother, I'm inviting him in as a sign of my good will towards him and of how serious I'm taking our deal. What do you think?
- Honestly? I don't think Nik is gonna buy it. – the blonde answered, remembering how ruthless present Klaus was – But it is worth a shot.
- Would you girls come with me? I think if he sees Elena pregnant, he might get a little less moody, seeing for himself the Petrova bloodline will continue. And if he sees Caroline, well, do I really have to say how I think that's affecting his mood? – the boy inquired in a playful tone.
- It's fine with me. Especially because, if he undaggers Rebekah, I should apologize to her right away, and with lots of people around, so she won't kill me. But we're not staying long, guys, it's Care's birthday and we're throwing a small party here later. – the girl reminded them, for she had spent the entire morning buying the stuff for her best friend's birthday.
- Okay, I'll call my mom and see if she can watch the babies for a while.
Caroline talked to the sheriff, who said she could take care of the babies until her night shift, at 6 p.m. The teenagers then dropped the little ones there.
Elijah answered the door and seemed surprised to see the three of them. He invited them in and called his brother, who showed up in the living room in a second.
He couldn't help the surprise at the sight of the very much pregnant Elena. And Caroline was as beautiful as he had seen earlier, even more.
- What do I owe the pleasure of the visit of the lot of you? Did you come to give me my coffin back?
- No. I'm trying to find Damon, but he obviously doesn't want to be found. So, I wanted to offer you a small sign of my good will. I want you to know I will return your coffin. As soon as I find my brother, I will make him tell me where it is, no matter what it takes, I promise. – the youngest Salvatore declared in a firm tone, wanting the hybrid to believe him.
- And what do you have to offer now, Rippah? I hope not one of the doppelganger's babies, I'm not Rumpelstiltskin. – there was irony in each and every word.
The girls rolled their eyes, and the boy just sighed. If only Klaus knew he had enough babies of his own…
- I put the Boarding House in my daughter's name. And since she's too young to invite people in herself, I'm doing the honors for now. I came here to offer you an invite as a sign of good faith, a sign I have no intention of having you as an enemy, Klaus. Maybe then, you could believe I had nothing to do with what Damon did and honor your part of the deal, leaving everyone alone and undaggering Rebekah.
- This sudden interest in my sister's undaggering strikes me a little odd, Rippah. Especially considering she will get murderous towards the doppelganger once she's awaken again.
He wasn't a fool, there was more than mixed the eye there.
- I already told you, for old time's sake. Besides, we daggered her, and we want to negotiate her undaggering to get on her good side again. Do we have a deal?
- They seem sincere, brother. – Elijah spoke, trying to help them.
- I don't think that's good enough for me to undagger Rebekah. You all know the hell I'll face once she's awaken. Elijah, the patient and noble one, gave me a hard time, imagine Bekah, whose temper is worse than mine…
Elena had another bargaining ship. She knew it was risky, but she was feeling so bad for handing the Original blonde to Klaus she had to try it.
- How about information, Klaus? I have a very good one, but I'll only tell you if you give me your word you're holding your end of the bargain. All of it.
The other two looked at her puzzled. They hadn't talked about any information to use as bargain.
- What if the information is not good, doppelganger? I'm not sure I should agree to this.
- Trust me, Klaus, it's good. But if you don't wanna risk it, fine. We'll get going, and you'll be left wondering.
The man knew they were playing with his curiosity. Well, he could agree, and if the information wasn't good enough, he could always make them pay for making a fool out of him.
Caroline mouthed a "What are you doing?", and Elena mouthed back that she had everything under control.
- Fine, deal. I want the invite and the information. Then, I will undagger my sister.
The three looked at each other and nodded. Stefan got up and told Klaus to come with him.
A couple of minutes later, they were back.
- Inviting done. Now, for the information. Spill, love.
The brunette breathed deep and declared as emotionlessly as possible.
- When I first found out I was pregnant, I met a witch by chance, a very powerful one. And she told me I had the death mark, and that I'd die giving birth to my babies.
The Original hybrid got up, angry. The doppelganger would be dead in a few months, and there would be no more blood to make his hybrids!
- And why did you believe this was valuable information, doppelganger? – he yelled.
Elijah was in shock, staring at Elena, who seemed resigned with her fate.
- We have been giving you a hard time to get my blood. Well, I promise to willingly come to you every week, so you can take a bit of my blood. Stefan said not much blood is needed for a vampire to complete their transition, so even you can't take much, it will be enough for lots of hybrids, I presume. You can stash it and use it wisely.
Klaus was still mad, punching a wall. Caroline just rolled her eyes. Her Nik had his moments of impulsiveness and impatience, but not even by a mile remembered the grown man acting like a child throwing a tantrum she was seeing…
- C'mon, Klaus. The information was good. And, as I said, I will come to you to give you a bit of my blood. As a matter of fact, you can take it now, if that's getting you to undagger your sister. – she tried once more, missing Nik as much as her blonde friend.
A couple of drinks (and a lot of huffing) later, the man got the blood from the girl and brought his sister's coffin to the living room, undaggering her in front of their eyes.
While they waited, Elijah approached Elena.
- Are you really fine with this, Elena?
- I made my peace with it long ago, right after I knew it. Stefan offered his blood to turn me, so I think I'm becoming a vampire to raise my babies. – Caroline had offered it too, but given the fact the blonde was now human, Stefan would have to do the honors – I never wanted to become one, but for them I will.
The Original couldn't help but admire her even more. She's always sacrificing so much for the ones she loved, and now she would not only sacrifice her life but endure an afterlife she never wished to have for her children.
Much calmer, Klaus walked over Caroline. Since she was there, he could take advantage of the opportunity.
- Hello, love.
- Hi. – she answered in a dry tone.
After the scene he made, the girl just wanted to get out of there.
- How is your boy, sweetheart?
He knew. She had no idea how, but Klaus was already aware of their child existence. The girl shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
- Fine, thanks.
He could tell she was a bit sour. But he'd appease her.
- Could I offer you something to drink?
- Sure. – she answered mindlessly, maybe some water, her throat was a bit dry...
He then called a compelled girl and stretched the girl's wrist to Caroline. She went wide eyed.
- I don't drink from the vein, Klaus! – she didn't, really… and she was now human, and the mere thought of blood made her sick.
- My apologies, then, love. – he compelled the girl to get a drink for her.
- I don't drink alcohol anymore, I decided to quit all bad habits to give a good example to my son. – she made that up, hoping he'd buy it.
- What then, sweetheart? Water? Tea? Lemonade? – he questioned, and the girl couldn't ignore the mockery in his voice.
- Water is fine.
The hybrid ordered the girl to go fetch some water.
Right after handing the blonde a glass of water, the poor compelled girl was grabbed by Klaus, who bit the girl and started to drain her.
- Are you seriously draining her to death? That's not only cruel but also stupid… – Caroline pointed annoyed and a bit sick.
It wasn't bad enough she was being an unpaid maid against her will, he'd kill her like that?
He stopped for a moment, his signature smirk playing on his full lips.
- Care to elaborate, sweetheart?
- If you kill her, that's it. That's all the blood you'll ever get from her. But if you could content yourself with a bit less, you could drink from her tomorrow, the day after, the day after that, and so on.
She explained just like she'd explain a four year old, because, in her opinion, he had been behaving like a four year old the entire afternoon.
- There are lots of humans, love. – he simply replied.
- Not if you keep killing them like that on a daily basis.
The Original let the girl go, compelling her to bandage her wounds.
- Fine. You convinced me… for today.
The other three could only stare at the couple. Did she just manage to make Klaus stop himself from killing someone? Caroline definitely had some power over him.
They suddenly heard Rebekah gasping for air, sitting up in her coffin. Stefan handed a bloodbag they had brought to his "wife". She suspiciously took it, drinking it.
The girl got out of the casket and spotted the doppelganger who had stabbed her in the back. Literally.
- You wench! You pretended to be my friend and daggered me!
The Original launched herself at Elena, but Stefan held her and Elijah placed himself in front of the brunette.
- Be a fool once more, Elijah! Fall for that face like you always do! – the girl yelled possessed.
Klaus did nothing but watch the spectacle, knowing his big brother would protect the doppelganger, like a knight in shining armor. Caroline even moved to help, but stopped herself when she saw Elijah protecting her friend. He wouldn't let his sister hurt Elena. Besides, it would be better if she didn't put herself in a situation of physical risk, she was pregnant, even though none of the Originals knew of that.
- Rebekah, for the love of God! Elena's pregnant! Don't hurt her! – pleaded Stefan, barely holding her by her waist, for she was much stronger than he was.
She suddenly stopped. Elijah placed himself besides the brunette, so his sister could see the youngest Salvatore hadn't lied, she was pregnant.
Rebekah displayed a disdainful smile.
- Following into your ancestor's footsteps, doppelganger wench?
- Rebekah, I'm really sorry about daggering you. Really. All I could think of was that if it was my brother, I'd stand by his side, it didn't matter what he had done to me. We feared you would betray us and take Klaus' side last minute. Still, I'm really, really sorry.
The other girl's expression didn't ease.
- I don't care if you're sorry. But I don't harm pregnant women. Even wenches like yourself.
The teenagers breathed in relief. Rebekah was still mad, but at least she wouldn't try to hurt Elena.
- C'mon, Rebekah. Elena's not a wench. – the youngest Salvatore claimed, defending his "little sister".
- And who's the daddy of her baby? – the Original then heard the heartbeats – I mean, babies.
- Well, I don't know. – Stefan answered awkwardly.
- It's a random guy I picked in a bar after your brother took my boyfriend out of town. I was drunk, angry, and frustrated. – Elena explained, telling her the story Caroline had made up.
- You're even worse than your ancestors, then. I think they at least knew who the daddy of their babies was…
- I know who he is! – the girl exclaimed a bit angry, the Original was starting to piss her off – I just don't know anything else but his name… – she added after realizing she had to keep telling the made up story.
Rebekah laughed out loud. That doppelganger # 2 was really a strumpet…
- Okay, let's go, guys! We still have to pick up Lukas and Sarah at my mom's!
Caroline wasn't in the mood for Originals anymore. It was her birthday, she just wanted to go home for her baby.
- Lukas and Sarah? – the Original girl inquired, raising an eyebrow.
- Sarah is my daughter. Lukas is Caroline's son. We adopted them a couple weeks ago. – Stefan answered smiling – Do you want to see a picture?
The girl didn't know what to say after such revelation and display of enthusiasm. She simply nodded and said "okay…".
The boy then showed her a billion photos he had taken in his phone of both babies.
- They are cute. – she stated after he was done – Clearly not your children, of course.
The teenagers rolled their eyes and bid goodbye to them. It was more than they could take of Originals for a day.
Stefan could still hear a huge argument between Rebekah and Klaus start concerning Esther's death. The hybrid was in for some trouble, but at least Elijah was there to try to control his ill-tempered siblings.
While the trio was getting everything ready for Caroline's birthday, they began to digress about their beloved Originals.
- Well, I think, except for Elijah, we'll have a hard time with them… – Stefan concluded, not very gladly.
- And the worse is that Ayanna said they'd keep their own memories of the past. So, if we ever tell them the truth, they're just watching our memories, much like a movie. They'll see everything through our eyes. They aren't remembering or sensing what they once felt for us. – Caroline reminded them to make it even clearer they had their hands full with that situation they had gotten themselves into.
- Care is right. I mean, present Elijah is a lot like past Elijah, but I think he'd freak out if he knew.
- Yeah, and that's because you're the lucky of us, 'Lena. Elijah is the easy one. Rebekah is a bitch, and Nik is… well, Klaus.
- It's not gonna be that easy, girls, we should've known. We have to get close to them first, then break the news slowly and carefully.
- You're right, Stef. But I know my Nik is somewhere very, very deep inside that horrible person, and I'm gonna get him out, no matter what it takes! My son will have his papa back, and I'll have my husband. - she declared confidently.
She knew it would be hard, she had always known, for she was aware of present time Klaus' ways when she got involved with past time Nik.
- Same here for Rebekah. – the boy stated, sharing his friend new found enthusiasm.
- Oh, Lord, what did we get ourselves into? – Elena sighed, her hands resting on her bump.
Bonnie had lied to Stefan about not locating Damon. She had already found her mother, and they'd try to open the sealed coffin the very next day. That was a secret between her and Damon. The others would never agree with it, since they no longer wanted to harm Klaus.
Pretending she was still trying to find the eldest Salvatore, she arrived at the Boarding House, gift in hand for her best friend.
- Happy birthday, Caroline! – she wished, hugging the girl tight.
She felt awful about lying to them, especially the blonde, but she really thought it was for the best.
A while later, Matt got there along with Jeremy. Alaric also stopped by, much like Sheriff Forbes, neither of them staying for much longer, though.
After a lot of chat and cake, they left one by one, leaving only the trio there. Stefan was holding his asleep baby girl in his arms and excused himself to put his little one in her crib.
Caroline had Lukas in a cradle nearby, but was ready to take her son to his crib as well.
- Wait, Care. I have one more thing for you. – Elena called, getting medium size velvet bag and handing it to her friend.
The girl took it and opened it. Inside she found a glass bottle with blood. The blonde stared at the other one, puzzled.
- It's my blood. I know I'm giving a bit of my blood weekly to Klaus, but who knows if he's stashing it or spending everything to make his hybrids. This is for your little ones. If they ever wish to become vampires, they'll probably have to be hybrids because of the wolf gene. Once my babies are born, there will be no more of my blood, and I wanted to make sure your children had the choice in the future. They might never want to turn, but if they do, there it is.
Caroline felt like crying. That was one of the most thoughtful thing anyone had ever done for her.
- Oh, 'Lena, thank you! You're the best friend anyone could ever ask for! – she hugged the brunette tight, tears already falling down her cheeks – And you didn't have to give me so much! That's enough to turn a dozen hybrids!
- It's better too much than too little. Besides, you can divide this blood in vials, and place them in several safe places. It's better not to take any chances, it's about your children's future we're talking about!
Caroline still couldn't believe her friend's good heart. She hugged her and cried, claiming she'd never forget that.
- You're the best friend I could have, too, Care. Or do you think I forgot you offered to stay in the past so I could come back with my child? – the girl reminded, aware she was very lucky to have Caroline as a friend as well.